"No matter how long your journey appears to be, there is never more than this; one step, one breath, one moment - Now."
Eckhart Tolle
As we embarked on our pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, we were no longer tourists, but pilgrims, making our way on foot, through cities, villages and countryside. On the Camino, everyone is equal. We have only our backpacks and a desire to follow this path.
We began in Porto, Portugal at the Se Cathedral, where the narrow, cobbled streets meandered here and there, twisting and turning. The streets revealed more history with every step; it felt like old castles and cathedrals could be around every corner. Walking allowed us to stop and see each individual building, doorway and stone wall.
After completing our first day, the journey felt long, yet we were just on the outskirts of Porto, a short car ride back to where we'd begun. Here, my mind began to slow down, in a peaceful, relaxed way. Many thoughts bubbled as usual, but these thoughts began to find a quiet, peaceful rhythm. My thoughts now had the time and space to reach more depth and detail.
Time had slowed down; the past, present and future began to seamlessly weave together as our walking set the pace on this 260 kilometer journey. Many sights along this pilgrimage reminded me of the past. I could imagine having walked here several hundred years ago, as we passed historic houses and roads, without a car in sight, visualizing what it would have been like with only foot and horse traffic. Some sights brought my attention to the future, what will change as these roads and buildings crumble or evolve? But much of this journey was about staying present, as we slowly moved forward, step by step.
Ever so slowly, day by day, the landscape changed. Sometimes it was flat, sometimes hilly, sometimes wet, occasionally dry. We heard the soothing sounds or rivers and streams as we continued. We passed through many hamlets, some of them welcoming us with a place to sit, enjoy a snack or savour a home cooked meal. We were able to see each of the individual goats, sheep, cattle and more. We could smell the fragrant eucalyptus trees, lilacs and jasmine in bloom, along with some less pleasant odours. Each step revealed pebbles, puddles and curbs. Each small step on this journey was significant, as it took us closer to our destination.
As we walked, each moment felt like the last, yet over the hours and days, the landscape, the weather completely changed. Time felt elastic, slow, never changing yet changing dramatically over time.
Very quickly, I got used to the slower pace of change. In the beginning, I occasionally felt a sense of impatience due to this slower pace. Yet when I recognized my impatience, it vanished as I saw the beauty in the details. It was a time of introspection; a way to slow down and see the trees, the leaves and so much more.
After a few days, I felt the distance expand. The past days showed me how far we'd traveled and gave me the encouragement to stay present and embark on today and the days ahead. This pilgrimage was a great reminder that each project in life can be broken into small steps. Like life, this journey was literally made up of thousands of steps, one at a time.
As I arrived in Santiago de Compostela, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, my body was ready to rest. On the other hand, I'd thoroughly enjoyed every step of the Camino and was sorry to see this adventure end.
We departed Santiago by air, landing in Madrid on a sunny day. As we prepared to land, the trees and cars below looked so tiny. I got a broad stroke perspective of the scenery, but no details, no smells, no sounds; I couldn't make out the individual trees or cars. It was a serene and picturesque landscape, yet I felt so very removed and distant from it.
When we travel by air, we catapult ourselves far and away to a new land, missing all the scenery in between. When we travel by train or car, we see some of the scenery and hills, the broad strokes of what's between the two cities. But when we travel on foot, we slow right down and feel each step, see each twist, turn and hill.
Walking the Camino, I was able to live in the moment, I could smell, feel and see every branch, every blossom, every flower. It was a glorious practice in slowing down, staying present. It was a reminder that things will change when they change, over time. We will get there, one step at a time.
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