Safe Arrival and Reflection

Compostela, or Field of Stars! Arrived to the cathedral in time for midday mass and communion. The enormous nave was completely stuffed with pilgrims, tourists and locals. The worship service lasted one hour and included five international pilgrim speakers, representing all pilgrims -- in a variety of tongues. After several prayers, chants, and a communion, the mass concluded with a unique incense ceremony during which a large insence burner dropped from the ceiling, and was swung, suspended by a thick rope, like an enormous pendulum, directly across the center arms of the nave, passing at the base of the altar. It took several priests to yank and jerk the rope, causing the metal, smoking sphere to whip side to side, ascending several tens of meters off the ground. It was alarmingly close to my head, as I was seated with Lara from Italy on the floor in the front of the side wing pews. The photos and video clips are spectacular!
I am content to be in the company of Lara of Italy, Josef and Liz of Austria, Javier and Roberto of Spain, and more arriving by the minute. Hector from Mexico, Adriano and Juliane from Italy should be here tomorrow in time for this mass (post note: indeed, they arrived). They were delayed by fever, fatigue and foot trouble. Adriano was unable to walk these last few days. He has a crippling athritis in his feet and fingers. He will probably return for the final 100km next year, as he missed several etapas these last few days. Evi (our Northern Italian skier) had to return early, as she was accepted to coach skiing in New Zealand and must fly from Italy earlier than anticipated. She will undoubtedly return to complete her pilgrimage another year, perhaps with Adriano(?).

The next couple of nights will be a mix of celebration and recovery. We have had our credentials stamped and received our official CAPITULUM hujur Almae Apostolicae et Metropolitanae... Sancti Jacobi certificate of pilgrimage. Sunday many of us will walk the three additional days to the ocean, where it was once thought to be ¨the end of the earth¨ by those first pilgrims arriving here. Supposedly we are to burn our clothes on the beach. There are many rituals along the camino, some more authentic than others! For example, the ¨Queimada¨ at Albergue Rivadaiso was fun, too: an igniting of sugar, coffee beans, agua de vida (pure grain alcohol)! I singed my eyebrows.

Each of us has our own camino, our own way, our own path to discover. This camino has given me daily miracles and challenges, fine tuning my mind to view humanity and myself with even greater beauty... to let go of the things I cannot change, and enjoy the present moment. If you are looking for a Carpe Diem experience... and, want to expand your mind, transform your spirit, wait nolonger! Walking El Camino de Santiago de Compostela may hold the key to unlatch an inner door. On the otherside is a mirror into your soul. You have only to earnestly and bravely look for and accept the key. This requires patience and moving beyond the ego, and even the physical.

During the camino, you will be encouraged to shed the negativities and dependecies of modernity, and bathe yourself in the infinite potential that you already possess. After taking inventory of your dreams and priorities, you may return to modernity with the clarity of mind that will allow you to set into motion your intentions and desires, to find deeper and more genuine satisfaction... not in materialism, but in the right relations of the pilgrims that are your neighbors, are your co-workers, your friends, family, classmates, and soulmates.

Idealistic? You bet! But why not find out your potential by taking the plunge. Book your ticket and co-create your own spiritual experience with the universe and your God-dess.

p.s. I suggest you come alone (or at least agree to hike several hours alone), to be completely free from expectations that travel companions place on eachother.