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Camino De Santiago

Never the Same

In less than 3 and 1/2 months I will begin the second leg of my journey to Santiago de Compostela. The Camino has been calling my name for over a year now. I feel excited and fearful of returning. In so many ways I know what to expect. I also know that I know nothing about the Camino and what lays ahead of me.

My traveling companion this second trip is my husband Dan. I can’t wait to share this amazing experience with him. I love that we can do this together. As with marriage it will be awesome, it will be fun, it will be hard, and it will be what we choose to make it.

As people once again ask me why I am doing this, I reply with the answer that leaves them wondering even more…”The Camino calls you”.

During my first journey, I wanted to accomplish this for my dad. The Camino was never in his bucket list but he loved that I searched for adventure. He made it clear that he not only admired this part of me, but never wanted that sense to be extinguished from my heart.

I learned so much about myself during that journey. I learned that in many ways I allow my fears and perceived physical limitations stop me and keep me from accomplishing more in my life. During the last year, I have been learning to master my thoughts, and to really not care about others opinions except mine.

Today I completed 2 miles on the treadmill. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that is nothing. However, that is a big victory for me today. Since having pneumonia in November, I have been pretty sedentary and lacking in energy. Mental, physical and spiritual. Slowly I have been pulling my self out of the fog. Today rather than judging me for “only” two miles, I praised myself to 2 miles… The Julie of tomorrow will thank the girl that walked today.

One thought I will keep in mind is that no mater how I progress on my road to Santiago here and in Spain, my prep and my actual Camino is mine and I cannot force my way of walking on anyone other than me. I am grateful for Dan and his love and the sacrifice he is making to also share this journey.

On to practical planning…Bella, Yogi and Simba…

 

 

 

 

nyredrose's avatar

By nyredrose

City girl uprooted by love to the suburbs of Hartford, Connecticut, from New York City. I still get my fill of the city by going into the city for work at least once per week. Some say this makes me a road warrior. I think I am a warrior, no matter what. I am passionate about a lot of things. My faith, my husband, traveling, my family, friends, the Yankees, the Giants, and most of all, my dogs. Bella Luna, Yogi Bear, Simba Bri, are my furry babies. I am the best aunt to amazing nieces and nephews. I am a lover of books, activist, philanthropist, and, most of all, a supporter of women and their dreams. I am on the journey to healthy living via clean eating on most days and moving my body. I don't want to be a 70-year-old decrepit old woman with aches and pains. I want to be out somewhere, having an adventure, and growing to be "wellderly.". Speaking of adventures, I am going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the not too distant future (2020 is the projected time). Overall I am a daddy's girl forever. Losing him was the hardest thing that has ever happened to me. My dad shaped my views of the world in many ways. I hope that I can take his advice and "live life to it's fullest always." These days I find that I am an activist and will stand for those that need a voice. The world is beautiful, yet there are inequity and hate over love. I know I can't change it, but I am going to do my part.