PC #70 – No Regrets

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For the last couple of days I've walked around Hobart – a beautiful town – the capital of the state of Tasmania.

At least, I've tried to walk. My knee is still giving me problems – a residue of the Camino in April/May.

Tomorrow I see a knee specialist.

If I'm to do any serious walking in the future, I will have to get my knee fixed. It will probably require surgery.

The numbness in my left foot is slowly fading – as the Neurologist predicted. That's good news. But the knee over the past couple of days was so painful I limped everywhere.

I walked the Camino on Ibuprofen – for 28 days, 3 x 600mgs. That's how I got through it, by masking the pain.

Stupid, really.

But I wanted to finish the pilgrimage.

And I have absolutely no regrets, because that walk changed my life.

 

 

27 thoughts on “PC #70 – No Regrets”

  1. Bill,

    I believe everyone who walks the Camino will experience changes.

    Sometimes as you know that change is evident while on the Camino and sometimes the change reveals itself after the Camino – but the one certain thing is Change will occur.

    I also think Change is a big impetus for many of us to return time and time again.

    Arlene

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  2. Bill, sometimes that’s the choice we have to make. I do it every day – which will hurt more and for longer…and do that.I used to think, what a crappy way to live ( this was during my self -pity phase) . Now I’m grateful to have a choice, and I continue to look at it that way. Its easier for me, because when I start to feel angry about the constant illness and pain, I look at my quadraplegic son and immediately am humbled. And grateful, again.Life is always about change, and choice and carry on with whatever is left. I agree with Arlene, change has to be one of the huge draws of the Camino.It can be hard to get our needed changes going, sometimes, and whatever gives that push to start the process is what we have to do, go back to it and dip into the pond again and again. But at some point, you have to find a way to bring it home, that impetus, so when life, your heart, your spirit start needing change again, the kick to get it going is within and not half the world away. I think one of the most important things the Camino wants us to learn is just that -you don’t have to go away to reach the Camino because it is within, and is there to stay.

    something we have to stay close to, go back and dio into

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    • Hi Sister,

      That’s beautifully put.

      I haven’t done any other long walks, but I wonder if the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest etc instigate change, like the Camino?

      Or is it the nature of the pilgrimage that triggers change – the absorption, through soul osmosis, of the energetic footprint that has been deposited there over the centuries?

      Bill

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      • I can’t imagine that either the AT or the PCT could be walked without a lot of introspective thinking. And, I suspect that on those you are totally alone with your thoughts day after day. And as you can imagine with me, I think one should approach any endeavor open to change but not expecting it. Let the event and the venture bring it forth. It will.

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        • You are absolutely right, Steve.The one most important factor wherever you are is the degree of your own, fearless, positive openness.

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      • From experience, Bill, I find its the places that have soul imprints and spiritual energy that really trigger that kind of change -although there are people who can draw that simply from the purity of the environment. For me, the historical memory of a place plays a huge role, although that can be a dark energy too, like in a place where there has been a lot of violent death or illness.

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        • Yes Sister,

          Joel Sternfeld – a very famous photographer – did a series of incredible photos of places where violent crimes had happened years earlier.

          Even from the photos you could feel the darkness imbedded there.

          Bill

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    • Our entire life is a Camino.

      I became very aware of that after I returned last year – everyday is another walk on the Way!
      Buen Camino,
      Arlene

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      • Being able to say that, Arlene, shows you have reached the point where you can choose to visit the Camino, or be introspective and find it within. When all of life becomes your Camino, every moment of every day, you have mastered the first and most important gift/ lesson that it has to teach us.You’re awesome!! In the original sense of the word.

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        • Sister, I am so anxious to meet you on the Camino Portuguese with Bill as our guide.

          I am sure I will leave that Camino with greater knowledge of God in me, as me – with your help.

          I am sure I will learn photography – with lessons from Bill. (I’m ashamed to say that as an artist, I have not pursued photography as another expression of my art.)

          and I am also sure I will learn about my PGS with the help of Jen.

          I believe this is going to be the trip of a lifetime! I’m already formulating my plans.

          Arlene

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          • Thank you, Arlene! I am going somwhat nuts.re preparations. What kind of shoes/ boots do you wear/ like /recommend?

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          • Sister,
            I use Salomon mid height boots. The actual model is Exit Peak Mid GTX, I buy a man’s boot because it is a bit wider than a woman’s which allows for swelling of my feet. I like the Salomon brand because for me there is no break-in time, feel great straight out of the box.

            What I would recommend is to go to the store and try on all the different types of boots available, everybody’s preference is different and most importantly BREAK THEM IN before you get on the Camino.

            Arlene

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          • Thanks – I always liked the Saloman brand, but there are no stores here so Ive only looked online. Which is fine with a good return policy, but I need them very soon so I can get breaking them in.

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  3. Sister, the canadian version of the REI store is MEC = Mountain Equipment Coop. You can order online and return. FYI, I must have tested 15 + pair of shoes before I settled on the ones that I took, and they were a men sizing, I have a wide foot, no high heals for me, not even for fun anymore.

    Ingrid

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