Post Camino #9 – Ask not what the Camino can do for you…

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Ask what you can do for the Camino.

I seem to be on a bit of a speech theme here, don’t I. Thanks John F!

But it’s occurred to me that we all wonder what the Camino is going to do for us, but have we given any thought as to what we can offer the Camino, or other pilgrims along The Way?

I remember sitting around a dinner table full of pilgrims one night early into my Camino. Day two or three I think. There was a lull in the conversation and I told the collected group that in the following weeks, each of us was going to meet an angel on the Camino. We may not know it at the time, it might take us years to realise, but we would.

My announcement was met with blank stares. I quickly excused myself from the table, went back to the albergue and fluffed up my sleeping bag.

But it’s true. I met angels. And I know of many other pilgrims who did too, although they may not put that label on those that helped them. But each of us is capable of being an angel, without even knowing.

About two weeks into my walk, I’d stopped to take a photograph and this young kid walked up. He kindly asked if I wanted him to take a photo of me. I gave him my camera, which was set to manual controls, and began to talk him through how to focus, how to set the exposure, etc.

Yeah yeah yeah, he said. I know.

Amused and curious, I watched him handle the camera. And he did know. I was impressed. Because only a photographer could have worked out how to use the camera the way I’d set it up.

We then walked together. I asked him how come he knew so much about cameras. He revealed that his camera was set to manual too – and in fact he was shooting film. It wasn’t a digital camera, he was actually shooting 35mm film. I was really impressed. Who shoots film nowadays, particularly a 19 year old kid?

It turned out he was a film school student and his real love was cinematography.

Ah, I said, you might just have met your Camino angel!

I then told him I was a film director, and an Adjunct Professor at the film school of an Australian university. Over the next 10 kms or so we talked, he asked a lot of questions, and I gave him advice. He then kicked on, moving much faster than me, but we crossed paths again several times during the next few weeks. And each time, he would ask for more advice, which I liberally dispensed!

Perhaps I was his Camino angel, I don’t know. But it got me thinking that so many pilgrims walk the Camino thinking they’ll get something from the journey. Perhaps though, without them even realising, their true purpose is to give something back…

Bill
Emmanuel

52 thoughts on “Post Camino #9 – Ask not what the Camino can do for you…”

  1. Oh, to have good knees, and to be able to squat again like that young guy!
    I was just wondering this morning if there’d be another post from you…and here you are.
    You gave the fellow advice, and along the way you learnt things from other pilgrims.Fair trade eh?

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    • ha ha – yes Rose, I envy the knees too!!

      It is a fair swap – but the notion that you might be able to contribute something to the “energy flow” of the Camino is an enticing one…

      Bill

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      • Hi Bill, it is very important to realize than Life is a continuing exchange of energy, , very often problems , diseases come from stopping the flow, not moving, retaining, things, thoughts, money. .. what you have done with this young fellow is what we should do all the time because it makes us happy. thanks for telling us. I like very much your post camino posting.

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      • Hi Marie,

        I believe, as I’ve said in my blog, that the Camino carries the “soul imprint” of everyone that’s been before. That’s what imbues pilgrims with the energy, and the belief, that they can do this pilgrimage.

        Bill

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  2. Bill, there is a verse from the Bible I read somewhere and wrote in my journal. ” Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it!”

    Do angels come in all sizes and forms? I truly like to think so!!

    Debbie

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    • My first angel, so called in my blog, fixed my first blister. I know i will meet more as i come back and continue the Camino. Perhaps all of the supporters and well wishers are Camino angels also. They dont all have to be walking do they? Steve Langham

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  3. That’s a pretty awesome thought….I like the idea of Angels
    I don’t believe in role models…but I believe that people can come into your life and become a source of inspiration…an angel. Sometimes, they are close friends, sometimes its someone you meet on the street or sit next to on a plane……or perhaps discover in a blog.
    For me Bill its been you over the past few weeks….

    Just as your knee started to come right on the Meseta…I had an accident that resulted in an Impacted kneecap. I have lost 6 weeks worth of training. I went to an Osteopath for the first time ever and am now a convert and Im making good progress. But I’m scared now it will flare up on my walk….
    Then just as you were celebrating reaching Santiago….I found out I have a tumor…its probably benign….it will be Im sure…….
    and that bad day I had last week…when I said “Thank you” for one of your up lifting posts….was the day I found out I have to go under a general anasetic to have a biopsy next week…and for a moment you took my mind off my troubles.
    You once replied to one of my posts that I had helped you get up the hills……when you were finding it hard….I cried when I read that….because you had no idea what your posts actually had meant to me.

    Im not sure…if I will make to my Camino in August now…but I feel like in some ways I have walked it again…through your photos and your words and through the posts of your followers.

    Thank you Bill…..you are an Angel.

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    • Hi Abbey, once again you flummox me with your sincerity and your honesty! Thank you!

      Everything you’re going through right now, all the difficulties, are exactly why you must do the Camino. But really, you’ll have no choice. Because the call will be so strong. It’s so strong now, I can tell.

      Your knee will be fine, and your other medical issues will sort out, and nothing will stop you from answering your call. The Camino is selective. It does compel certain people, and not others. It seems like you’ve been selected.

      You did help me up my hills. I hope I can help you up yours.

      Bill

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    • Abbey, so sorry to hear of your physical troubles. Bill has been an inspiration to me also and we know to others. You have inspired him. Amazing what this form of acquaintance can bring out in us. I know you will do the Camino and you will carry your strength to others and they to you. Buen Camino in advance. Steve

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    • Abby: My neighbor had a tumor in his knee and had successful surgery. He is fine and back to work. You will be too. Just have faith. You will find the answer to what you are going through at the camino, soon…..very soon, have faith!

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      • Wow!!!!! The right words said at the right time Bill.
        And thank you Steve and Camino 14.
        Yesterday I went for a 2.5 hour tramp. It was only suppose to be 1.5hours but I got to the top and thought….I can go further….I want to go on. (I think the new Pacer Poles helped a bit with that) but it felt so good. I had to laugh because everything else was hurting apart from my injured knee. šŸ™‚
        All the way up…I thought of you three……thank you for your kind words and motivation.

        BIG HUG!!!!

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        • It’s strange the way these blogs work Abbey! I feel like I know you!

          Good for you that you’re training the way you are!

          Bill

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        • Abbey, Do what you can but do not overstress your body. It will recover by small increments when you continue to stress it in small increments. From a 71 year old competitive bodybuilder, personal trainer, and current peregrino. šŸ™‚

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          • Wise words Steve. Thank you for the gentle reminder.
            From a 43 year old, slightly round (i.e. built for endurance not speed :o)) young at heart (just like you) pilgrim.
            Loving this blog!!!

            Bill you were right…there are Angels everywhere….

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  4. Hi Bill – GREAT QUESTION! The six founding members of the Confraternity of St James in 1983 asked themselves a very similar question, and look at where the CSJ is today – over 2,000 members in several countries, with loads of affiliated organisations. Their contribution to the Camino and to pilgrims is extraordinary.
    We can all support organisations such as the CSJ, the Australian Friends of the Camino (for us Aussies) and of course the amazing work of Ivar Revke and his team at caminodesantiago.me. Cheers – JennyH

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  5. How awesome it is must be to be able to pass knowledge to the next generation. There are movies about people who have die and they are being questioned “in heaven”about they deeds on earth. Like a movie, they see themselves in accion. Some become surprised how they were able to change someone life with a simple act they dont even remember. The thing is that it does not only happen in movies….it happens every day…everywhere….

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      • Hi Ariam, you never know what you might say that can have an impact on someone. But I firmly believe that the Camino throws people together for particular reasons. I think it was no mistake that Emmanuel (the young man’s name) and I met.

        What I didn’t say in the blog is that we’ve remained in touch – he’s sent me links to his student short films, and I’m trying to see if I can line up an internship in Australia for him.

        I’m not sure that I can help him much beyond giving advice, but if nothing else I’ve introduced him to the cinema of Billy Wilder!

        Bill

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    • Julian, I never know when you’re sending me up mate!

      šŸ˜

      Great that you’re going to be doing another Camino, and with your neighbour!

      (Take black undies)

      Bill

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  8. Hi Bill,
    You never cease to amaze! This particular blog really brought up a lot of emotions and tears for me. So, I know it contains an element that I need to pay attention to. I have mentioned in my own blogs and in a few of the comments that I’ve made in response to others that I haven’t felt a connection to the Camino and it totally floored me. I had imagined that I would be flooded with ideas, spiritual signs, “truth bumps” and an all over well being but that is not what I got. I did begin to dream and to recall my dreams which I am grateful for and I learned that I can walk right thru an illness without bed rest or antibiotics and that I can walk thru pain without medication or pain pills. But, without sounding weird I think what I may have given back is forgoing my own Camino at this time so that Steve can have his own personal Camino. Not at all like a martyr but because I am paying attention to the fact that this is a journey that is meant to be traveled alone. I am so proud of him for making the decision to stay and look forward to learning of his experiences along with everyone else thru his blogs. I mentioned in my last blog that putting on my 4 inch stilettos “instantly” heeled (haha) my foot pain but symbolically I thought that the Camino was confirming my need to stop now and to go Dance! I’m either crazy or correct but either way this is where I am. Thank you for your giving so much back to all of us, Camino Angel! Xoxo

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    • I suspect that you are right and i know you will love dancing your way across England and maybe France. You wanted your 58th birthday to be special. Well it will be in London or Paris. It would have been great to have celebrated it with you in Spain, but i will be close by and with you in spirit. Love you. Remember what i have always said to you. “Be yourself and have fun”. Well, that still applies. Love you, Steve

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    • Dear Jill – wow, that’s an extraordinary thing to say – that perhaps the early curtailment of your Camino (for the moment!) is for Steve to do his on his own.

      The lessons one learns on the Camino have nothing to do with the miles walked. You can learn all the lessons you are meant to learn in 50 mls – or less! Or even, dare I say it, before leaving home! (Although you may not realise it at the time,)

      Perhaps you’ve learnt your lessons for this Camino Jill, and it’s time now for you to pass the baton to Steve.

      It was very strange, the way all that travel stuff happened!

      Bill

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      • Thank you, my friend! It is exactly 11:11 that this came thru so I again trust that our communications are indeed true! And yes, as things go,the travel arrangements certainly were confirming. Have a great day! :-))

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  9. “For it is in giving that we receive” Quote from St. Francis of Assisi. I am a firm believer of this quote. You go around “throwing seeds” in life, whether they germinate or not, you and your family are blessed. Even if only one or none does. God sees you heart and your intentions and rewards you in some other way. Stay blessed.

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    • I saw a donation basket outside the cathedral in Santiago today with a quote something like this. “Those who give to the poor will never be poor”. I think that is what you are saying. It can be interpreted many ways but ultimately has only one meaning.

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      • I think you’re right Steve.

        It’s about giving out without wanting or expecting anything in return.

        Even thanks, or gratitude.

        Sometimes that’s hard.

        Bill

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      • Sent from my iPad “. I had read the book in 1999 following my wife’s death. I was searching for answers and found it to be a very soothing read for the circumstances. I listened to the CDs several times between California and Texas and a few times after, and they again were soothing. Among other things, the book promotes life without expectation. I again was searching for answers and again it provided some guidance. My life has been in quite a bit of turmoil this past year based on my expectations and hopes for our marriage and some financial setbacks (thank you Apple Computer). I was depressed and could not seem to shake it. I wanted us to take this trip to fix the marriage when we decided to in January. In early March I went to a place we own about 3 hours north of Houston to practice walk along country roads. I walked and walked with my dog and a couple of others that seemed to be avid walkers themselves. I was living alone, studying Spanish, walking, and working on the place. It was my parents prior to my dad dying 3 years ago and now we just keep it for my mom’s comfort. It is in the country on 55 acres. Well, to my amazement, I loved it and began to think I would rather live there than either Houston or back to California. My dog agrees. He loves country living. My thinking cleared up and my happiness factor came back, and I lost any and all expectations as to what Jill and I should do. I still have none. Bottom line, I don’t want to live in California and Jill does not want to live in a small Texas town, so she will remain in CA and I in TX, but at this time we are not thinking of a divorce. Who knows what the future will hold, frankly, I simply no longer spend any time contemplating it. It will be whatever it will be and I am not attempting to influence it at all. We will know when we know. No matter what we want happiness and joy for each other. So, this is a long message saying how I have come to live without expectation. It is comforting and a simple way to live, and I can’t wait to get back to my country living with my dog. The other dog that walks with me in the country is a Great Pyrenees. Go figure. He is about an 85 pound pup under a year old and he just took up with me one day. No one claimed him, but I could not keep him as I was not going to be in town, so my good friend who lives about a quarter mile from me took him in. We say that we have joint custody. He is just a big lap dog and loves to walk with me and spend lots of time at my house also. Well, I am rambling, but hopefully you get the point. I sincerely hope this posts and I don’t have to do it a third time. Steve

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  10. Hi Steve – it seems that you’ve been on the path for some time, for many years, and the Camino is only a natural extension of your prior searching.

    Because it is a search. All of it. The Camino is a search. You are searching. I know I am.

    No doubt you had expectations of the Camino. I did. Have your expectations been met? Mine certainly weren’t. But other things presented themselves. Things I didn’t expect. Not necessarily better things. Or worse things. But different things.

    Perhaps you’re right in foregoing expectations. Because invariably life won’t work out that way. What was John Lennon’s line? Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

    So true.

    Thank you for your frankness. And for trusting me.

    Bill

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    • Honestly Bill, I don’t know that I had any expectations. I intended to just let happen whatever was supposed to happen without expectation or anticipation, including what it would mean to Jill and me. It will soon be unfolding into a new scenario for the second half and again, I am just open to whatever comes along. I am not looking for answers and I am satisfied with by far, the simplest life I have ever lived. When I began to live without expectation my life changed dramatically. Sure, I would love to have the Camino present some dramatic , life changing experience, but since I am satisfied with my life, I have to be careful what I wish for. Right now, I live a drama free and stress free life. Having said that, I am along for the walk and open to what may come my way, but if nothing does, then I had a great walk and did something that I never would have considered in the past. I like accomplishing new conquests. My next objective is to become an understudy of my cousin Robert and learn photography. He and I are going on a photographic trip to Yellowstone this fall. That is something I would love to take you to sometime. Yellowstone is one of the most awesome places on earth. My first visit there was in 1948. The park remains timeless but the people have changed. Best to you my friend, Steve Abbey, looks like this may come up under a reply to you, but in actuality, it is for both of you and anyone else who is interested. Best to you too, Steve

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      • The thing is, you never will know when the Camino kicks in. I wonder how many people have an ah-ha moment. Very few I would have thought. But that’s not to say that the Camino doesn’t deliver in other “discreet” ways!

        Yellowstone is a place I’ve always wanted to see – thanks to Ansell Adams!

        Bill

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        • I thought Ansel Adams was more The Sierras and Yosemite, but he might have spent some time in Yellowstone as well. The big photographer of Yellowstone I think of was Henry Jackson in the late 1800s. He introduced it to the east. Actually, artists like Alfred Jacob Miller and Thomas Moran introduced it to the east even before that as they accompanied exploration expeditions.

          Jill and I went to Yosemite last October and frankly did not find it that fascinating. The thing about Yellowstone that makes it so great, is not only the incredible geothermal features and topography, but the wildlife. It is a great collection of wildlife in its natural habitat easily accessible to the average tourist. I think it is the most spiritual place I have ever been. Another problem with Yosemite is that you have to go through some pretty nasty areas of California to get there. Much different driving through Wyoming or Montana to get to Yellowstone. All beautiful and scenic. Steve

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    • As I think a little bit more, the line of John Lennon, I thought was mine but I said “Life is what happens while you are planning your future”. I learned that in spades with Shellley’s death. She was taken at 46 years old at the prime of life and with no forewarning, and we had only been married 21 months. But then life gave me Jill and so it goes. I try to accept life on whatever terms it doles out, because, after all, we really have no choice. It is not what life throws at us so much as how we react to it. That is all we can control. A lesson that I find I have to be continuously diligent about honoring and not trying to influence outcomes that I have no influence over. And I have influence over very little.

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        • Tragedy is an unwanted part of the human condition. Tragedy is all around us though hopefully not on a personal level. The first in my life was Shelley’s death. Life as we know it can change in a heart beat. I never felt sorry for myself as I knew that someone else was going through the same thing right then, and also right now. All we can do is endure it and know that life goes on and we can either go on with it or be left standing in front of a locked door that will never reopen. It is about choice and perseverance of a different kind. Steve

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  11. Bill. Great on Ansel Adams in Yellowstone. Not surprised, but not familiar with his work there either. Thanks. The waterfall that is depicted so much is the lower falls of the Yellowstone River. One of my favorite sites. In a past life when I was rich and stressed, I commissioned a painting of that waterfall by an artist named Wilson Hurley, a fascinating and talented man of many disciplines. Look him up. He delivered a painting to me that was 9 feet by 7 feet and it was second to no artist that had ever painted it. It was fabulous. A fortunes changed and I moved to smaller abodes and had less resources at my disposal, I sold it. Wilson died a couple of years back and it is probably worth 5 times what I sold it for, but such is life. By the way, I now live a poor but stress free life, and it is the better of the two alternatives. :-). Steve

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