For Sylvain Landry’s challenge this week, we should look at the world from a child’s position. And indeed, my Mille looks much bigger than he was. His height was 48 centimetres – and the mountains somewhat higher…
Hiking
WPC: Quest
Cheri Lucas Rowlands encourages us to show a picture of Quest. An almost impossible task…When I think of this word, Quest, I think of all my teaching years in literature and all the glorious quests portrayed there:
The Epic of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian story, The Odyssey by Homer, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and of course The Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling.
In these stories, the protagonists set out to almost impossible tasks, leaving home and safety plunging into the unknown. So, where am I, a 21st century, middle aged woman, in all this? What is my Quest?
I guess in my little world there are no big ”saving the world”- quests – maybe saving myself quests only. I am constantly searching for and heading towards Inner Peace, being kind and compassionate along the road. I find peace in Nature and through doing good things, helping other fellow passengers on this route.
Hopefully, one day, I will be standing there, feeling that my quest is completed. I will be completely calm and at peace with myself and the world.
Film Review -”Looking For Infinity: El Camino”
Review of Looking For Infinity: El Camino (2014) Director: Aaron C. Leaman
This is a philosophical documentary, runtime 58 minutes. The text on the DVD says: ”Looking for Infinity: El Camino is an immersive voyage along the ancient pilgrimage route El Camino De Santiago.”
The film is said to be “an emotionally driven chronicle of a group of people all at turning points in their lives.” Some quotes from the walkers: “You walk and you become a humble being”; “I need to get away to recharge my batteries”; “Simplicity is the key”; “Religion and vanity takes your energy away[…] When I am in nature I recharge my energy”; ”El Camino is the best place to find people that really care about others”.
The message of this introspective movie is that we need to slow down and reflect upon our lives – and if you are at a crossroads or at a turning point, walking El Camino might give you some good answers to your questions. Those who have walked it and lived it often say it is a metaphor of Life itself. “I’m not here to get to the Goal but to do every single step”.
The film technique involves using the camera at walking pace to show the landscape passing by and the empty streets mixed with close-ups on people while someone is speaking – mostly not the person in focus. The sound is soft and natural for the most part: Walking on gravel, running water, birds singing, a piano and some slow drumming, a faint opera voice – or simply – silence.
The variety of people and reasons for walking are enough to show what this is all about. But, I believe the movie would have won some extra points by having a more equal combination of male and female thoughts and speakers. Both voices need to be heard.
The conclusion is simple – this is an important movie and a movie for everybody in our modern, stressed out society. Its slow pace might make it easier for you to get in contact with your inner self. In today’s society we need to question our living – planet Earth is running out of her resources and our young (in the western society at least) are increasingly troubled by mental illnesses. There is a connection and we know it.
Looking For Infinity: El Camino, is a very philosophic piece of art, and beautifully directed. I think it appeals both to those who have walked the Camino and to those who are considering doing it – as well as to those who never have thought of it before.
The movie gives you many thoughtful comments and reasons for walking, and they will stay in your mind for long. They might even inspire you to take a break from your busy life and enter on a great learning experience – El Camino.
Links to website for more about the movie, and for DVD: www.caminomovie.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lookingforinfinity
For my own articles on El Camino, at Leya, click here:
Hiking Festival at Hovdala
Hiking festival at Hovdala – a part of Eurorando, Europe’s biggest hiking and walking event. There were many groups and trails to choose from. I joined the photography group.
And what a day we had. In the middle of September – and 25 degrees Celsius…A bit too warm for hiking really, but an ordinary autumn, the alternative would have been rain.
We were 15 in our group
the trail was 9 kilometres…
…through woodlands and open fields
We met some riders and horses as well
And cows of course
Our photographic leader handed out many tips and tricks
Between 5000 and 7000 hikers from all of Europe travel to Skåne during 7 days to walk the Scanian trails, socialize and explore the Swedish nature, culture and society.
The landscape showed its best and so did the weather. After the walk we were all served a delicious vegan chili soup with bread. Thank you all participants for a glorious day well spent!
Santiago de Compostela – The Goal for Every Pilgrim
What gave me most joy about Santiago de Compostela, was to see all the pilgrims arriving at Praza do Obradoiro in front of the impressive baroque facade of the Cathedral.
So much joy!
Tired…
With hurting feet…
But happy! The 16-year old boy ,to the left, said he was ready to do the same again – starting tomorrow!
And proud to show their stamped ”passport”…
…and diploma. this man had walked the Camino 7 times. Often together with some difficult young boys
Resting…
Changing shoes and going for a stroll in the city
Then every pilgrim must attend the Pilgrim’s Mass. So, let us join the them and enter into the magnificent Cathedral, built for S:t Jakob in 1000-1200 .
The ritual with the Botafumeiro has an interesting history…
…where you can kiss the 13th century statue of S.t Jacob
Beauty in …
…every detail
The Botafumeiro is filled with incense…
…and swinged in every angle over our heads. An old tradition to take away the stench of the many pilgrims…
So, this is the end of the pilgrim adventure for now – But maybe some day…
Buen Camino!
”Buen Camino”, is the word following the pilgrims along their walk. I guess there is no real good word for this in either English or Swedish. Can you find one?
Astorga and its Cathedral is on the pilgrim road to Santiago
The golden altar piece by Gaspar Becerra is considered a masterpiece in Spanish renaissance style
The pilgrims pass many glorious cathedrals on the Camino, and Leon and Astorga are only two of them.
They also pass Rio Arga over Puente la Reina, built for the pilgrims in the 11th century.
In this little town I found my favourite pilgrim church, Iglesia del Crucifijo. This is almost a tiny chapel, very serene, rather dark and undecorated. But, here they have an unusual wooden crucifix in the shape of a Y, with a sad looking Christ with raised arms. The cross is said to be a gift from a German pilgrim in the 14th century.
Every pilgimage has its own story. I guess many Camino walkers are religious, but the majority of pilgrims I talked to were not – they walked for other reasons. One middle aged man had lost his wife, and he needed to collect his memories and get a closure. Another man, a young man, followed his girlfriend here. She had always dreamt of walking the Camino. Now they were both smitten.
The Camino is well signposted, just follow the shell, and the pilgrims themselves. Not all of the pilgrims want to tell their story, but some do. A young American IT-engineer told me he wanted to be ”grounded”, wanted to connect body and soul and Mother Earth. Our western society do not allow us to do so, unless we go looking for it ourselves.
The North route…
…and an early wanderer
This sign was among the more unusual ones
Along the road the crossings were well marked
Resting place
You can walk, bike or ride the Camino
The stories. Yes. A friend of mine has got a niece walking the Camino this summer. Her story tells of 19 years’ struggle to raise her autistic boy. This spring he finally graduated high school. Walking the Camino is for her a relief and a way of trying to find her old self again – after a great mission accomplished.
At Monasterio de Nuestra Señora bodega, there is a tap in the wall where pilgrims can have a glass of wine for free…This hot summer day I assure you it tasted just fine. And there are two taps – in the right one you get water. That tasted even better.
And when evening comes, hopefully there is a place for you to sleep and prepare for another strenous Camino day. Whatever your reasons to walk are – I am sure you are doing the right thing.
Buen Camino – see you in Santiago!
The Winner Takes It All – Song of Roland
”I am watching your every step…”
Towards Pas de Rolande, where Charlemagne’s army was ambushed after the sacking of Pamplona – celebrated in the medieval poem, Song of Roland.
Along the road we met a herd of, what we believe was, Iberian wild goats. The gamey smell filled the air, and soon we saw them climbing the stony slopes up on our right side as well.
As they were rather close to the road, about 5-10 metres up, we could study them roaming the bushes, popping up a head every now and then.
We reached the rock formation in the gorge. According to legend, the gap once was created by Roland’s horse.
On my way back, alone, (my husband went back before me) the strong smell from the goats appeared again. And, I was lucky to witness this piece of wild life -love life!
The chase…
and…the mating
The fight when his foe challenges him
The loser turns back…
Then posing alone on the rock
”Well, I have seen it before…and in my younger days I would…
…win all of those fights…”
Autumn Coming
There is a slight chill in the air…even though the wind still is soft and warm.
But, I can feel him coming…
Because the sky is crystal clear…
…and the colours are changing into a golden glow.
There is a stillness in everything, just before his gentle steps …heading straight in our direction. Let us glow – Autumn is coming.
Wordless Wednesday
WPC: Opposites
Opposites…often go well together. For WPC I have chosen the Moroccan desert. Many opposites to be found here. In the header the classic desert/oasis, But, in the second one maybe more subtleties…
More entries here.
Leya 
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