A Camino Experience

I am so excited for you in your thoughts of walking the Camino.  It was certainly one of the highlights of my life and I continue to reminisce about it - the beautiful paths and vistas, the people I met on the path, the solitude, the coming together in the hostels each evening with people from around the world, and even my stay in the hospital where the staff were so kind and my roommates and their family became like my family despite the language barrier.   I still think often of the husband of one of my hospital roommates who took me under his wing. His name was Benino and he slept by his wife's bed every night (as he had done every night for the past 4 months apparently). He was so devoted to her, helping her with all her meals and keeping her company.  He knew a tiny bit of English and would introduce me to everyone who came into the room (and there were many) with great pride as if I were a special friend of his.  I was Carol from Canada, no Espanol, perigrina (pilgrim), walk 500 kilometres!  He would bring me water and magazines in Spanish so I could look at the pictures and make sure I was comfortable in a foreign land.  The day I left the hospital, after being there not quite three days, I went to his wife's bed and spoke to her in English and wished her well and thanked her for being such a lovely roommate ( she was completely immobile yet only in her late 40s).  She had such kind eyes and took my hand, smiled and spoke to me in Spanish. It didn't matter that we couldn't understand each other, we communicated so well that day we parted.  Benino escorted me to the front door carrying my backpack for me  (I didn't know the way out), and hailed a taxi for me. When I turned to him to say goodbye and thank him for all his kindness he was close to tears as was I knowing we would never see each other again.  He put his hands on my shoulders and gave me the European kiss on each cheek and then I left.  I write this story to let you know about one experience on the Camino.  I will treasure it forever.  I also want to say that the Camino is many things, it is not just a walk.  When you would like, I can give you some practical tips about the Camino, including one book that is a necessity to have while walking.  There are also several books people have written about their experiences while walking the Camino which I really enjoyed prior to going that I can tell you about. This makes me want to go again!  I do have to finish my walk which has now been delayed, likely, until 2015. I only have 40 km to go and will be so excited to walk, rather than enter Santiago de Compostela by ambulance.  I really want to attend the special ceremony for the peregrinos in the cathedral - make sure you plan for that.

By: Carol Huber