Living La Vida Loca

Sitting in the Santiago airport with Ruthie waiting for our delayed flight home, gave me time to reflect…. We have had two very relaxing, pampering days at a lovely resort hotel, quite a change from being on the road. Honestly, we didn’t do much roughing it on the Camino other than wearing the same couple of shirts and pants every day for two weeks and walking miles a day…nonetheless these final two days were decadent.  No regrets however.  We slept late,  watched silly TV shows, ate at odd hours, had massages, and pretty much zoned out.  I am glad our timing allowed this break as Ruth had barely a day and change to get to Barcelona, unpack and wash clothes, repack and head to South Africa for her two month internship.  This would have been a brutal turnaround had we lingered on the Camino longer.  Things do happen for a reason.

I would do this again in a heartbeat.   With Ruth or with other loved ones – perhaps even alone for some short period (though I love the shared experience).  I love to walk…it clears my head, rids me of the incessant clock in my head and to do lists I make, and reminds me to just breathe and take in the world beyond my own sphere of influence. 

I kept looking around as we walked our way and being struck by just how much of the world is so beautiful and untouched by asphalt and arguments.  So many people lead such simple, uncluttered lives…not cushy, not particularly comfortable lives, but simple.  Not a million decisions to make a day, not a lot of noise to contend with or shut out.  They just go about the day and take it as it comes.  I’m not saying I’d rush to upend my life and live differently.  But I feel that a break like I just had is something I want to do as part of my life as often as I can manage.  I am coming back to my ‘real life’ with a renewed energy and somewhat different perspective on what really matters to me, and a reaffirmation of my belief that it is the quality of relationships with people that most precious – far above any prestige, wealth, or trappings we might accumulate along the way.

Nothing too profound here.  I am satisfied…joyous about this chapter. 

Onward!