It has been several months since I completed the Camino Frances and there hasn’t been a day since when I don’t think about that journey. I especially thought about it this morning when I decided to walk to work instead of driving the 3 1/2 miles through a thriving community. It was a cool, sunny morning with the town waking up and get their day started. Familiar sights were abound — college students biking to campus to take their finals, people waiting for the bus to bring them to campus or to work, and many vehicles passing me by. I walked by the people waiting for the bus and wondered, “why don’t they just walk?” Oh silly me, I’m the weirdo who would rather walk than take public transportation. Before leaving my apartment, I put on my trusty backpack. I had a moment of realization that I’m oddly attached to it. I don’t always use it but I know where it is at all times. Right now, as I write this, it is sitting 2 feet away from me. I will leave it alone today, locked in my office, where it will be safe and sound. Today my pack was filled with a laptop, work papers, lunch, and extra pair of shoes (of course). It was almost as heavy as when I used it to carry clothing and essentials in Spain. Adjusting the straps and getting it just right was a familiar feeling. The ritual of waking up, getting dressed, eating a light breakfast, and putting on my pack was enough to transport me back to Spain. Although, this time the end of my journey this morning would be my office and I wouldn’t be logging 25 kilometers. Walking, to me, not only provides much needed exercise by a chance to clear my head and think about the day ahead of me. Some people prefer a good run. I prefer a good walk. When I was walking the Camino, I had several moments of deja vu. Upon reflecting back on The Way, I can pinpoint when I either felt I had been in a particular place before or I was in the right place at the right time. I’m not usually cognizant of these feelings but during my trip, I was profoundly aware of them. I’ve always felt that my entire life has been a journey of sorts. I’ve lived in several places and worked in several jobs. And along my life’s journey, I have always felt I met certain people for a reason — like I’m supposed to know these people and stay in touch with them. Or I learned valuable things from them to take with me to my next stop. And walking the Camino … this was just another part of my life’s journey. I was supposed to be there and meet many different people from all walks of life. I still haven’t figured out the specific “purpose” of my Camino. Maybe it was to “find” myself, but I like to think I already know who I am. Or perhaps I needed a challenge and confidence boost. That seems more likely than anything. However, what I know is that I am currently working in a place and in a job where I feel I’m in the right place at the right time. Maybe the walk this morning helped me realize this. What I do know for sure is when I got to my office this morning, I had an overwhelming feeling of “I needed that.” I needed a good morning walk to clear my head and get prepared for work. My camino continues.
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About Marcy I wear many hats. First, I'm a wife to an amazing husband, Joe. Second, I'm a mom to 2 incredible kids, Caitlynn and Miles. Professionally speaking, I am a chef, dietitian, and writer working as an instructor in Hospitality Management at Montana State University in Bozeman. Photos: See InstagramMarcy's other Site |