The Camino Frances

The Camino Frances

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Celebrating: Hiking and lunch at the Bistro Camino

Dec 23, and 28 rugged hikers joined me on a beautiful hike through Taylor Creek Park. It was about 3 degrees, and the snow was crunchy underfoot.  As Pat B said when she posted this picture: "There is no bad weather, just bad clothes. Layer up."
We walked from Main Subway station to Nostalgia coffee shop, where they managed to serve all of us, and I passed around peanut butter oatmeal cookies.



Then we headed back down into the Taylor Massey ravine, walking east into Warden Woods. After a stop to hydrate, we crossed back over Pharmacy, and through Dentonia Park Golf Course. We have never been able to do that before, but the gate was open on Pharmacy, so we trudged up and down over the snow covered golf course, then past the Victoria Park subway station, using the pedestrian overpass, arriving at Camino Bistro about 1 pm. We were joined by others who were injured, or who had limited time the day before Christmas eve, and all 38 of us had a splendid meal, featuring roast lamb or chicken, with lots of other choices.





Service was great - love the staff here!

Hiro is a pilgrim and chef, and he set up a dessert buffet for us. On the walls there are pictures from his many Caminos, and his compostelas. He closesfor the month of January to walk the Camino - 2017 was the Primitivo! Buen Camino, Hiro, and see you on the hikes in February.





It was wonderful to see so many friends out sharing their joy in walking and the Camino.
Merry Christmas, and the best for the New Year to all of you, and Buen Camino on your journeys.







Wednesday, December 7, 2016

The power of the Camino

What is the power of the connections we form on the Camino?
We meet people as different from us as possible: the other sex, different ages, from different continents, different cultures, different religions and beliefs, different socioeconomic circumstances.
What draws us together and makes that powerful connection that can last for years?
It's what we share, not how we are different.
It is our commonalities, not our divergence.
On the Camino we are committed to a purpose: making it to Santiago.
We are committed to putting one foot in front of the other.
We are not deterred by pain or rain, by hunger or thirst, by injury or loneliness.
Our commitment is to ourselves, but also to those who share our path.
We celebrate our shared path and purpose - with a glass of wine, at communal meals, with sharing supplies and information.
We work together for a common goal.
Can we bring that back to our life here?
Can we look at others and see the values we share, not the views we disagree on?
Can we celebrate what we all value and work to overcome the barriers between us?
Can we drop our fears and embrace others who are different from us?
Let's commit to caring for others, sharing with everyone, helping where help is needed, and listening, not judging, just listening.