Friends who have walked El Camino shared with me that everything that happens to pilgrims while on the journey can be applied to life in general. I listened intently, but wasn’t sure I understood, until today. The plan was pretty simple: get to bed early, venture out early after a hearty breakfast and make it to our next stop in Valcarlos by lunch time so we can be indoors by the hottest time of the day. The weather forecast indicated clear skies until 5 p.m. Just as in life, the best laid plans don’t always work out. We had a sleepless night in an unairconditioned room, we got underway in the rain walking into foreboding skies ahead. And yet, with ponchos the rain rolled right off as we enjoyed the beautiful countryside of dairy farms and “backyard” vineyards. By noon we were walking into the historic town where Charlemagne the Great’s rear guard was defeated by the fierce resistance of the Basque people. And just like that the sun was out and we were sitting down to a delicious lunch and a cool apartment awaited us to recharge for the next day.
You never know what’s ahead, and yet with flexibility and a positive outlook you can emerge from the storm with your intention in place.
4 replies on “Walking through the rain”
What a great adventure! Go for it.
Thanks Hank – indeed!
Stunning photos! And, a very applicable takeaway. Hoping for some slightly less rainy weather in your future:)
Actually – we’re grateful for the overcast skies as it keeps the weather cooler than we’ve heard its been!