10/23/2019, 21:00
Today about an hour before sunrise, we left Villar de Mazarife under the threat of wind and rain but we eventually experienced some rare sunshine, as the group picture above attests. However, 10km later the clouds rolled in again. I
Given that we were not bundled up against the wind and rain, we were able to talk to each other; and we had some wonderful discussions about careers, why we’re on the Camino and life in general.
Kate (USA) has multiple educational degrees in the area of Public Health and worked in that field for a number of years before she decided to “get off the treadmill.” She’s using the Camino to reassess what she wants to do with her life. I have discovered that a significant number of pilgrims have become “fun-employed.” Like Kate, they have quit their jobs, on their own terms, and are using the Camino, with its many opportunities for solitude to ponder the direction in which they wish to take their lives. I have met or heard of many other pilgrims who are using the Camino to assess their life’s station: There are new retirees, recently widowed husbands or wives, individuals in troubled marriages and even a young married couple who’s using the Camino experience to decide whether they should end their marriage and get a divorce!
This is the stage in the Camino when the individual pilgrim, overcoming the physical trials, has the opportunity to think and reflect upon his or her life. I cannot envision many other life experiences that allow an individual the opportunity to do an assessment of one’s life and have people, fellow pilgrims, who’ve become close friends (in a very short time), walk with you, and truly listen to you without being judgmental.
After you’ve thought all that you can think, if you’re fortunate you have the opportunity to clear your mind and go to the next level: The Spiritual.
This is one of the facets of the Camino that make it a truly life-altering experience!
Jim Olshefski