In January, I signed up to go with a group on the Portuguese Coastal Camino through the company Prayerful Path led by Mary Maddox from Georgia https://prayerfulpath.com. It would be nice to go in a small group of ten people and feel the camaraderie and support of fellow travelers. When I turned fifty, I started taking yearly solo journeys and know the good things about traveling alone; but I also know the pressure, and sometimes, loneliness of going by yourself.
After I sent in my deposit, I would check Prayerful Path's website to see if other participants had been added. I assumed people were waiting to the June 30th deadline. I kept on increasing my training-- the hours of walking with my backpack at the park, and imagined being in a group led by Mary. It would be nice to not be responsible for navigating all the points along the Camino, to have a leader who knew the hotel locations and best places to eat. When the last day of June arrived, the few who were "on the fence" backed out and I realized I'd be going solo again. Mary would arrange my trip as a self-guided pilgrimage--reserving all my lodging, transport, etc as if I were in a group.
She sent me an email to let me know and said, "For some reason, maybe God wants you to do this alone."
I understood her perspective, seeing that things unfold as they should when you're seeking to live your life by faith. I can look back at all my solo journeys and see in each unique trip how the people and places in my path were meant to be. Now, I would need to prepare for this solo journey as I've done for previous ones, but with the help of an experienced guide.
Last week, I received Mary's packet of information for my self-guided pilgrimage. In previous solo journeys, I studied the maps and looked at the area on the internet to have some familiarity with that new place. If I knew people who had traveled there, I asked for their advice. What's different this time is there are so many more aspects of the journey that require apps on my phone and skill navigating through technology. I won't be carrying my laptop so I'm having to switch to doing things just on my phone.
Setting up these new apps and learning to use them has taken energy. I'm as tired after a day of studying the maps, internet information, and trying out the apps as I am from days of walking many hours then dancing that night. Mental energy is just as tiring as physical exertion---and sometimes more, because technology's not easy for me. This past week when my brain felt tired, it reminded me of when I started a new research job in 2017 after I retired as a school nurse. There was a lot to learn with the new computer system and very little formal training. It was like the grocery store where there were few registers open and you had to check your own groceries; everything felt like self-service.
Last Thursday, I had an hour Zoom call with Mary and we went through the itinerary of my coastal path. She gave me helpful hints about each town and suggestions on where to eat and when to call for Uber. She advised me that the pharmacists in Portugal were like doctors and could help with any medical question. Mary said that the people there told her not to eat fish on Mondays; they're always leftovers, not fresh by Portuguese standards since the boats didn't go out the day before.
When I told my younger sister, Peggy that I'd be going by myself, she was quick to respond.
"I'll have to be the voice of Mama," she said, "I don't like you going alone."
That had been Mama's response since the first solo journey to Sedona. She would add, "a woman shouldn't travel by herself." Mama wouldn't believe the boom in solo travel for women.
Mama (in pink) and her travel partner and cousin, Yvonne pictured below. They had many wonderful adventures together.
I explained to Peggy that many women walk the Camino by themselves, and no one was truly alone because there are so many fellow pilgrims. And, as it turns out, August is the busiest month on the Camino and the Portuguese Coastal route is the second most popular path. I went on to confess to Peggy, that truth be told, I've done more dangerous things on my trips in the U.S. 🙂 I did ask Mary about areas I shouldn't wander off to in Porto where I'll be spending my first four days. She assured me that the areas I'd be in near my hotel and the historic parts of town are generally safe. Can I always say the same about going to the mall in my home area?
Now, I finish my packing and checking my to-do list another time. I wonder what kind of resistance to leaving, to crossing the threshold of their familiar homes the ancient pilgrims felt. They faced different dangers and made greater sacrifices to go on what was an essential journey of faith. Their tiredness wasn't from learning new apps or checking TSA requirements for the airport. At some point, they had to step over that threshold and go into the unknown, trusting God to guide their path.
That's what I will do.
The Camino is Calling and I Must Go!
Buen Camino, Friends,
Connie
Above--Coastal Path I walked in Ireland--Wild Atlantic Way 2022 that made me want to walk the Portuguese Coastal Path.
Hope you'll Like and Follow my writing business page on Facebook at Author Connie Rosser Riddle. Will be posting routinely mid-week and more often while on Camino--including video clips and photographs.
https://www.facebook.com/connierosserriddle55/
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