October 12, 2019

10/12/2019, 15:00

How old is too old and how young is too young?

“Age is a matter of perspective.”  “You’re only as old as you feel.”  And my favorite gem is from Charles Schultz and quite appropriate when traversing the mountains and hills of the Camino: “Just remember, when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.“  On this pilgrimage, I have met a number of wonderful people of many nationalities and ages; however, I would like to share brief stories of two individuals, both women, who I’ve met on the Camino:

• Noa is from Israel and 16 years of age.  Noa came to the Camino with her father.  In the first few days of her Camino, Noa was in so much pain that she had to fight back the tears in order to keep up with her father. But about a week into their Camino, Noa’s condition improved, while her father developed a medical condition that forced him to stop his pilgrimage.  Noa decided to continue on alone and has been “adopted” by Tia, a young adult woman from Croatia. Over the last week, we have occasionally run into Noa and Tia and both are doing very well.  I hope that we see them again on our road to Santiago!
• Mabel, on the other end of the age-continuum, will be 93 next month.  I met Mabel and her daughter, Katherine, over two weeks ago when we shared a shuttle from the airport in Biarritz, France, to St. Jean-Pied-du-Port.  Mabel had every intention of walking the Camino all the way to Santiago de Compostela, while Katherine planned to accompany Mabel as far as Burgos before she  had to return home.  I next saw the two of them at Orisson on the first day of our Camino.  (After that rigorous first day of climbing the Pyrenees, Fr. Tony briefly entertained thoughts of quitting.)  Both Katherine and Mabel were glad to see a familiar face and I invited them to our table, bought them each a drink and introduced them to Fr. Tony and a number of our newly-forming Camino family.  Mabel decided that she had had enough walking for the day so she ordered a taxi to transport her and Katherine to their destination of the day.  We just ran into Mabel (who is now traveling alone) again yesterday in Burgos, had breakfast with her and helped her get to the bus station to travel to León.  Mabel, while not walking every step of the Way, is no less a pilgrim than any of the most stalwart of pilgrims.  She is truly an inspiration to all of us peregrinos on our pilgrimage, on the Camino and in life!

To my regret, I have no photos of Noa or Mabel to share with you, but if and when I run into them again I will do so.

10/12/2019, 17:15

After a delightful 21km (12.5 mile) walk from Burgos to Hornillos Del Camino, showering, washing clothes and grabbing a bite to eat, we are now preparing for 18:00 Mass at the local parish.

Here are some pictures of Burgos: 

Jim Olshefski