Now the why


You wonder "Why would anyone do something like this?" Different people have different reasons.  My first Camino, I wanted to see if I could actually finish, to see my goal to its completion.  I didn't know if I had it in me to walk close to 200 miles in two-plus weeks.  Ten to twelve miles every day.  I wasn't really an experienced hiker.  But three days in I knew I would make it.  That's when I walked an extra 6km up the hill through the bush to Foncebadon.  No blisters, still had gas in the tank.

Once I started walking, I found it was also about the people you meet.  People from all over...Germany, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, China, the UK and, of course, the USA.  Different ages, both sexes, all different colors from all walks of life.  All searching for something.  

This time I'm looking for fun and enjoyment.  When I saw Dan Mullins' walk, I saw in my mind a concert on foot.  Sounded too good to pass up.  And many of them are Aussies, a group that KNOWS how to have fun!  Again, it'll be about the people.  I've joined the group's WhatsApp chat already, and by introduction I've seen people from mainly Australia and different parts of the USA.  Again, a diverse group.

It'll be good to get back in the "hiking bubble" where people treat you like people, and I do the same.  On the trail we're all just people.  It doesn't matter what race, sex, age or political persuasion.  I've become really tired of all the politics over here, even within my family.  It's so polarizing and I want to get away.  The "hiking bubble" is a different world.  Similar to the golf course when I sign up as a single and get paired with complete strangers.  You spend time on the course or the trail with someone, you get to know the real person.  It was strange last time when me, a real introvert, opened up to total strangers on the trail.  The Camino is kind of a confessional in a way.  Getting away from home and the US will do me a lot of good.  I'm sure it would help others as well.

 As always...Buen Camino!

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