Day 4 – The Invitation
Day 4 of my Camino Journey, began much the same as the previous days: rising before the sun, morning toiletries, and re-packing our packs for the coming day’s walk. Today, however, I became aware of a deeper sense of camaraderie with my newfound fellow pilgrims on this Camino walk, as well as in this Walk of Life. We breakfasted together with our small group of overnight guests (all from countries other than the USA), and though only a couple others at our communal table spoke English, we all seemed to easily share our feelings and express our delight and gratitude for being here together, at this time, on this Journey. It would turn out that we would cross paths with several of these pilgrims, at different times, in the days to come; and would heartfully greet our new friends like old friends with the traditional “Buen Camino,” (The Good Way), and ask with genuine interest “How is your Journey going now?”
Excerpt from my Journal:
Tuesday, May 9th– Itero de la Vega -> Frómista (~9.4 mi/16 km)
We were treated to a big breakfast of sweet “biscuits,” fresh-made bread, fresh fruit, coffee, and homemade jam on “lady-finger” cakes. When we departed, we also each received from our hosts a small wrapped chocolate along with the traditional “Buen Camino” blessing for the road.
“The Invitation” for me now (today), and on this particular day of my Camino walk, was to fully engage the Adventure of Life by opening my Heart/Mind/Body ever more each day. With each rising of the sun on our beautiful world filled with beautiful and amazing people, there are infinite opportunies and potentials to experience more light and joy in my life, as well as bringing more light and joy into the lives of those around me. For me to answer The Invitation, I must actively seek and find my Inner courage, find and acknowledge my unique gifts and talents that I have to offer Life, and finally to Trust in the Divinity/Creator/Spirit of/in/as my Life – each step then taking me forward into the Adventure of exploring the Great Unknown (the future reality that I dream and desire to Co-create with Life). On this 4th day of my Camino walk, the physical manifestation of this invitation came in the form of a sculpture and dedication at the canal crossing before we entered the town of Frómista – it was like a guest register at a wedding, but no one was required to sign in, the only key was having an open heart and willingness to experience a whole new chapter of being in love with Life:
After crossing the Canal de Castillo and entering the town of Frómista, we were in for another serendipitous blessing. We were looking for accommodations for the night and our guidebook listed a couple of public or municipal albergues that had 50 or more beds available to pilgrims (bunkhouse arrangement with 10-25 beds per room with shared bathroom facilities). As we were walking up one of the main streets looking for the address of one of these albergues, a woman stepped out a door onto the sidewalk near us and asked if we needed help finding something. We told her we were looking for pilgrim accommodations for tonight, and she immediately offered us 3 beds she had available at her “Donativo” (a private residence that offers beds/rooms for a minimal donation) – this was a much more attractive option for us as we ended up sharing our bedroom with only one other person (instead of 10-20 other people)! We were delighted to meet another pilgrim (a gentleman from Texas with whom we continued to cross paths over the next several days) and to have the opportunity to exchange Camino journey stories and pilgrim foot care tips! Life rewarded us well today, for our courageous and open hearted acceptance of its Invitation!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If I accept The Invitation that Life extends to me each day, with all my heart, mind, and body, then every day can and will be filled with adventure, joy, love, new friends, new expanded Family, and the Peace that surpasses all understanding (in Knowing that no matter where I am, I am always Home in the loving arms of the Universe/Spirit/All That Is).
What gifts did your Camino bring you TODAY?
Living in Grace and Flying with Spirit 
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