Just back from the local Confraternity of St. James (etd. 1996) and receiving friendly advice from Eivind Luthen who has played a central role in rekindling the whole idea and practice of pilgrimage in Norway.
He convinced me to start my camino at the start of the Camino Frances, at the border between France and Spain, at Roncesvalles. And not, as I had imagined, at some town or village located a 10-14 day walk away from Santiago de Compostela, my final goal.
I went into the pilgrim's office with my baggage from modern life, with goals and plans, and questions to match. Initially I resisted his suggestion because this would mean not making it to Santiago de Compostela. I was made aware of the fact that many pilgrims progress slowly, doing a part of the walk at a time. Did someone not say that it was the journey, not the destination, which was the real deal?
Okay. I will not get to Santiago de Compostela this time.
But I AM starting my journey to S d C and beyond.
When I accepted the idea to start my camino at the beginning of the camino, and not at a spot 100 km from Santiago de Compostela, my worry about my fitness and my ability to complete the camino within the 14 days I had blocked in my diary melted away. My motivation to go on the camino increased severalfold. I felt happy! Almost euphoric.
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