“If you are depressed, you are living in the past, if you are anxious, you are living in the future, if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” Lao Tzu
I am off! I suppose if I was truly living in the present, I wouldn’t have any goals for this Camino, but I do. I am striving to get more comfortable with enjoying every day and not letting tomorrow get in the way of that joy. Tomorrow is “future Robin’s” problem, as I learned from a friend, Damian Ramos, on the Camino last year.
Clearly I have some work to do as evidenced by my Alburgue reservations in Burgos, Hornillos, Castrojerez, Fromista, Leon, and Santiago de Compostela. I will be living on the “edge” between Fromista and Leon and beyond I guess.
I am nervous. I am not sure of why. I have a much better idea of what to expect this year, but my heart is still pounding. Probably the fact that I will be gone for more than a month has something to do with it.
Luckily our small team at work will pick up the slack and be there if something goes wrong. But it is impossible to plan for everything that can happen, as evidenced by the hackers who flooded the forms on our website last year as I was walking into Logrono. But, we got through that issue with just a few hours work and all was well. Right now, any work problems are future Robin’s problems.
Wanted, One Camino Family
Last year when I left Burgos to head home I was so sad. I was leaving my Camino family behind. The dozen or so people I bid farewell to went on to have amazing adventures on their way to Santiago de Compostela. I was excited for them, but disappointed I wasn’t there too.
My friend Nancy asked what I was going to do differently this Camino. I told her I wasn’t going to worry about meeting people. I could do just fine on my own. I didn’t need the baggage of a Camino family.
In her own brilliant way, Nancy reminded me that the people were the best part of my Camino last year. I have visited some of the folks I met last year on the Camino.
And others I have talked with more upon my return than during the Camino.
One Camino friend I have to give a special shout out to is Henry. Henry always seemed to be there last year when I needed some support. And that has continued as I have been planning this next stage of my Camino. He has been a wealth of information.
I suspect I have been hardening myself from the possibility that the people I meet this year won’t match up to those in my Camino family last year.
Nancy helped me realize that and I will keep it in mind. No comparisons! It’s a new year.
Rise and Shine
A big problem I had last year was that I didn’t sleep for the first three days. I am determined that will not happen again the year. The first thing I have done is I have a private room my first evening in Burgos. The second strategy is to try to address possible jet lag by slowly adapting to the Spanish timezone over the past four nights. I used Jet Lag Rooster. Their regimen includes melatonin and going to bed earlier and earlier and getting up earlier and earlier each morning for four days. This morning we got up at 2:30am. Yep, Ray is now on Spanish time too :-(.
Let’s hope this approach works!
Speaking of Ray…
What an amazing person! He has worked so so hard this summer to get 3, yes 3, online courses written so they could be released before I left. He was up at 4am every morning and worked until 7 – Seven days a week. While I was out for 2 and 3 hour training walks, he was banging away at the computer. The summer was a blur needless to say. But we still had a wonderful time because we were together. But next summer…NO WORK PROJECTS!
I feel bad leaving Ray for a month, but at least this year he will have company morning, noon and night with these two guys!
Thank You Friends and Family!
Everyone has been so supportive. I can’t thank you all enough, especially when you had confidence in me that I didn’t have in myself. You will all be in my heart every step of the way on the Camino. Future Robin can’t wait to get back and make some Paella for you!
Amazing days coming! So very happy for you!
Thanks Ilanit! You are one of my inspirations!
Thanks Ilanit!!
What lovely and inspirational thoughts as you discover a new branch of your Camino family!
Love your thoughts as you resume your beautiful journey. Thinking of you on this beautiful fall morning in the MRV. You are my inspiration! <3