Sometimes, The Simplest of Things in Life are Most Appreciated!

Simplicity, Doesn’t Get Any Better!

I landed in Spain on May 2. Up until May 13 (when my hiking began) I have been touring cities and places that have been beyond amazing! I have posted much about them and multiple photos. Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Lugo were all places that mesmerized me. They were amazing places to see and purely joyous!

IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE HIKING FOR ME!

Let me now share with you what brings me the most joy and gives me an inner peace that I can barely describe.

On May 13, I excitedly woke up knowing I had 23 Km to hike. With my bad back and all, I was very excited. I wasn’t in any grand city or any place in particular that most people would find spectacular . I was in the fields and small towns in Galicia, Spain along with hundreds of other pilgrims.

My past 2 days have been filled with misty mornings (8 to 10°C ) that eventually warmed to glorious, sunny days (22 – 26°C).

I love hiking and breathing fresh air, hearing the sounds of nature, and seeing Nature’s simple beauty – see below.

I spent months planning this trip. My real joy was to be the hiking days which began May 13. They have not disappointed me at all. I finish hiking in Galicia May 19 and then I hike the coast of Portugal starting May 26.

We live in a busy, tumultuous world. Our World news, pathetic politicians, lack of empathy for others, selfishness , and the technology we live with, can be all consuming and stressful (I say this as I use technology to post it).

Here on the trails, life is not stressful. The only decisions I make are what to carry with me, what to eat, and how far I’m going to hike.

My days are filled with listening to animals, the wind, flowing creeks and rivers, other hiker’s feet hitting the trails, and sometimes it’s so quiet that I hear my own breathing. I find it meditative, calm, peaceful, and glorious.

I love feeling the warm sun. I enjoy looking out to pastures and fields, thinking how amazing nature really is!

I find it energizing and meaningful. As I hike, I think about lots of things, but sometimes when I am done, I can’t recall what those things were.

I do know that I feel very peaceful afterwards.

Those thoughts that I often forget, are truly the planted seeds of life changes to come.

When I am home and feeling stressed, I often recall The Camino and how it made me feel. I become more tolerant, somewhat more patient, more understanding, and I definitely see the beauty in the simple things around me.

I’m far more spiritual here than at home. I’m also VERY appreciative. I truly live a blessed life (trust me when I say I have endured much hardship), but doesn’t that alone teach us what’s important?

If you asked me 7 years ago if I would ever hike, I would have laughed and said no way! Now, I feel it’s my true joy, along with photographing it. My family will ALWAYS be my truest joy in life.

When I get asked why I always return to the Camino, I ask, how can I not?