It was my eighth day of walking and I'd need to cover 16 miles starting in Oia and ending at my night's lodging in Ramallosa, Spain. When I was preparing to leave my room in Oia, I felt restless, out of sorts, and my doubting voice asked, "Can I do it another day?" I'd looked … Continue reading Camino Adventure: Red Car in Ramallosa
faith
Camino Completion: I Did It!
On the fourteenth day of my journey, Friday August 23rd, I trekked the final 16 miles and walked into the plaza in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. As I walked in, by myself, not seeing any whom I'd met on the route, I felt a lump in my throat and a fullness … Continue reading Camino Completion: I Did It!
Santiago, Finally
When this third post during my pilgrimage is published on August 25th, I'll be spending my final day in Santiago. Two days before, I'll walk from Padron to Santiago, a 16 mile stretch over natural pathways through oak, pine, and eucalyptus woodlands. As I get closer to Santiago there will be sections of main road … Continue reading Santiago, Finally
People in My Path: Portugal to Spain
By this point on my Camino journey, I will be on my sixth day of walking. I'm writing and scheduling this post before I leave, anticipating what my experience will be like. On Thursday August 15th, I'll have a 5-mile walk to the dock of the Xacobeo Transfer Ferry and Taxi Boat service in Caminha. … Continue reading People in My Path: Portugal to Spain
Camino Bound: Going Solo–Again
In January, I signed up to go with a group on the Portuguese Coastal Camino through the company Prayerful Path led by Mary Maddox from Georgia https://prayerfulpath.com. It would be nice to go in a small group of ten people and feel the camaraderie and support of fellow travelers. When I turned fifty, I started … Continue reading Camino Bound: Going Solo–Again
Camino Bound: Symbols to Carry
In a week, I'll take off for Porto to start my walk on the Portuguese Coastal Camino. I've considered what I should carry beyond the necessities of clothing, medications, maps, and travel documents. I've felt a need for symbols that will anchor me in my purpose. For many years, the scallop shell has been the … Continue reading Camino Bound: Symbols to Carry
Camino Bound: A Blessing for the Journey
Last Saturday, when I met with my Raleigh Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino, our leader recognized any in our group who would be heading out on the path in the next month; that was me. In the presence of many who have walked the Camino, and others who are anticipating that journey, he … Continue reading Camino Bound: A Blessing for the Journey
Cancerversary: The Things You Carry
Yesterday I celebrated twenty-four years since being diagnosed with breast cancer; how grateful I am to be saying this again. Over the years, I've made friends with others who've gone through treatment like me, as well as women that have either not survived or had to deal with ongoing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). A woman … Continue reading Cancerversary: The Things You Carry
Internal Pilgrimage: Plunging into Mystery
In the last two posts, I've explored aspects of the internal pilgrimage that we're all walking using Christine Walter's Paintner's gifts of embracing doubt. ( p112, Ch. 7, "The Practice of Embracing the Unknown" The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within ) When thinking about mystery, I considered why it is … Continue reading Internal Pilgrimage: Plunging into Mystery
Internal Pilgrimage: Questioning Long-Held Assumptions
Last week I shared with you a section of the book, The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within. It's a resource I'm using to prepare for my upcoming Camino journey, but on a broader level, one for looking at the internal journey that we're all walking. In the book, Christine Valters … Continue reading Internal Pilgrimage: Questioning Long-Held Assumptions
Connie Rosser Riddle 