Not the Camino I Planned

But it’s the Camino I’m on

Hi Friends,

Here’s a little Camino update from Ponferrada, Spain ????

Many of you have been following along on Polarsteps (thank you!), so here’s a quick summary and update for everyone else.

I began walking from Burgos on September 16 and crossed the Meseta, a wide open stretch of country side, perfect for walking prayer. Along the way I’ve shared communal dinners with pilgrims from around the world, been blessed by singing nuns, walked a 1,000-year-old Roman road alone, and wept at the beauty of the León cathedral.

Then surprisingly my body asked me to stop. A muscle injury in my thigh brought my walking to a halt, and after several days of rest that didn’t bring improvement, I made my way to the hospital here in Ponferrada. My X-ray was clear, and I’m now on medication and doctor’s orders to rest.

Admitting I couldn’t keep walking was hard. Through much resistance and tears, I surrendered and began praying for help.  And oh my, did help pour in. A fellow pilgrim carried my pack. A barista called me a taxi. A kind taxi driver waited while I dropped my bag and took me to the hospital. A pharmacist who had walked the Camino herself took such tender care of me. And an 81-year-old British writer, starting his very first Camino, stopped to ask if I needed help and we ended up sharing a lovely dinner and stories.

They say the Camino provides. I can tell you it does. On Monday I’m moving to a little apartment in Villafranca del Bierzo for a few days of healing in the mountains, and then I’ll continue toward Santiago by bus and taxi.

This isn’t the Camino I planned, but it’s the Camino I’m on, and it’s teaching me so much about setting down my burdens and letting myself be cared for.

Thank you to my prayer warriors. I feel every one of your prayers.

I have about three weeks before my flight back to the states. If you want to follow along as I make my way westward here’s the link to my digital diary on Polarsteps.