A Journey of Faith or Foolish Adventure?

Journey of faith or foolish adventure? You decide. Two weeks from today I will be getting on a plane to fly to Porto in Portugal to start the second half of the Camino Portuguese. One of the routes of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. It’s been on my “bucket” list for three years.

I am setting out for a country I have never visited. One where I cannot speak the language. I have not booked any accommodation. However, I do have a good guide book which assures me that at this late point in the pilgrimage season, I will find beds at hostels in most villages. That is one of the reasons for walking at this time of the year. The others being to avoid the over 40C temperatures that Portugal and Spain have been experiencing this summer. And to avoid the crowds who flock to the Camino routes before the European school term starts. I have faith that the guide book proves correct.

My goal is to walk the 257 km (154 miles) to Santiago in 12 days. Because I want to experience the true essence of the pilgrimage, I will carry everything I need on my back, sleep in hostels and eat at local cafes. No sending my bag ahead each stage or staying in hotels. I want to experience it as a journey of faith not a package tour. I am fit and healthy, I walk every day and have walked my planned daily distance with a full pack at a faster speed than I will need for the Camino. 30 years ago I ran 85km (50 mile) ultramarathons in under 10 hours, so I have experienced the levels of endurance needed.

Reactions from friends and acquaintances are mixed. They range from “you must be totally mad” to “that’s amazing”. Encouragingly, few of them doubt that I will complete the journey. Some express concern for my health. I did have a heart attack in 2010 and bypass surgery in 2017. I do have a niggling foot problem, but I have absolute faith that I will make it.

Why a Journey of Faith?

It’s complicated. Is it a “Senior Moment” or “Second Childhood” thing? No. over the last couple of years I have become increasingly aware that I am getting close to 70. A few short years ago, I thought anyone that age was ancient. Now recently turned 69, I am acutely conscious that at best I have 10 to 15 active years left and the opportunities for any type of strenuous adventures are rapidly diminishing.

But it’s much more than a wistful attempt to replicate the adrenaline rush of previous endurance challenges, dangerous sports or hazardous activities. Yes, the knowledge that I did it will be good, but this time it’s not about the achievement, it’s about the journey. It will be a spiritual journey.

It is tied up with my return to religion a few years ago after giving up on the church (but not God) for over 40 years. It’s for a period of reflection and quiet contemplation away from the distractions of my connected world. I am looking forward to two weeks of no phone calls, social media, email or any of the other interruptions that are part of my daily life.

My church attendance, religious and philosophical reading are enlightening and comforting. I find much that is helpful for overcoming adversity in Stoic philosophy. All those help me find answers but they and life itself continually raise new questions. I want to use the next 10 years of my life better than the previous 10.

Many of those I have met through the Canadian Company of Pilgrims say that the Camino – whichever route they walked – changed their lives for the better. It was for them a real journey of faith.

That’s what I expect.

p.s. In the previous post about fortitude I mentioned the TQ Personal Quiz. I did the quiz and am getting valuable insight from the answers about things I need to work on. Here’s a link to the commentary on one of the 10 areas.

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