October 1: A more sober take…

I don’t want to simply leave yesterday’s comment about “real” pilgrims hanging without context.

I know I wrote last year about the “pilgrim hierarchy”, but I know many of you will not have read that. Simply put, it goes as follows:

· Veterans/repeat walkers at the top.

· First timers doing the whole walk, carrying all their kit and not booking ahead are next.

· Below them, are anyone doing two of (I) the whole walk, (II) carrying their kit or (III) not booking ahead.

· Lightweights, like Carey and I (prebookers with a bag transfer) come next, closely followed at the bottom, by those who walk only the last 120km from Sarria (the so-called “short Camino”).

So ingrained is this structure that the hostels in Sarria post little notices, reminding road weary pilgrims to be kind and respectful to the newbies. You know something is widespread when they try to stop it happening.

Of course, I’m tongue-in-cheek here. Most of us simply enjoy each other and the various war stories that come from one trip, or from several (with or without heavy packs). Though, it’s true: you can tell the newbies by their coordinated kit and the fact their tee-shirts aren’t wonky from repeated wringing out and hanging over the sink.

What prompted these thoughts yesterday was our conversation with Peter, an Australian serial walker, with whom we shared one of our two beers in the square. He led with not being his best emotional, or professional, self. He had clearly found solace, and no little status, in/from repeated pilgrimages. Like several people we met on the Camino Portuguese, he had simply started walking a few years back and barely returned home since. This is his fifth Camino Frances. As noted above, we’re very low down in the pecking order. But, I certainly know the Way’s healing power. You do find yourself in the presence of people who are not so much walking to, as running from. On the Way, you know they’re in a compassionate bubble. One that can hold them until they are ready, even for years.

I won’t be writing again for 3 days.

Tomorrow is my weekly EfM seminar. It’s at a civilized time for Calgary, but, joining remotely from Spain, I’ve had to sign off halfway through. Almost all accommodation has a “no noise” rule after 10:30pm. Pilgrims are a tired bunch, usually walking first thing. Hostels, guest houses ensure quiet later at night. On one occasion, this was enforced by simply switching off the WiFi at 10:30 sharp, leaving me abruptly exited from the conversation.

On Friday, I am joining my first Board meeting of the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good. I was appointed Treasurer last month. It will be a fun learning curve for all of us. I hope/think I can, at least, help with the basics. I am looking forward to engaging much more deeply with Calgary’s civil society, and also representing my new church community.