We talked some today about sacrifice, particularly as it related to pilgrims of times past who did the Camino. At first, we surmised that walking 10, 15, or 20 miles a day was not such a hardship, the logic being that they were more used to hard labor and walking was the normal means of travel. On the other hand, they were not as well-nourished, physical hazards and danger were more real than they are to us, and most of them did not have the benefit of proper clothing, equipment, or training. Also, they did not necessarily have secure jobs or incomes waiting for them once they returned from their pilgrimage, and they didn't have modern hostels or hotels waiting for them at the end of the day.
As pilgrims, we've decided we have it really easy. I wouldn't consider anything I've experienced on this trip sacrifice. Inconvenience, sure. Not exactly what I wanted, yes. Sacrifice, no.
So, I tried to define sacrifice. I've heard a lot of good sermons about it, or exhortations before the offering plate is passed, separate and apart from communion of course. Sometimes we're encouraged to fast one day as a sacrifice. Catholics try to get at sacrifice in the season of Lent. I came to the conclusion that none of these things are really sacrifice, because for me, sacrifice has a quality of permanence or even of risk of personal well-being about it that one doesn't get by giving up caffeine for 40 days, or foregoing a dinner and movie and giving the money to feed the starving. For me, those things are inconveniences, not sacrifices that fundamentally change my lifestyle or ability to function. This is a hard thing to grapple with, because it means that even though I understand the word sacrifice, and even it's definition, I don't have the slightest idea of what it means or should mean in terms of my life.
In slightly less profound news, the walk today was hard. I did not sleep well last night on futon with original 1980s padding intact. Yes, I'm aware of the whiny-factor of this statement given the discussion above. The landscape was beautiful again, and we had no rain today. I think that we must all be tired or frazzled or something because we've all been a bit snippy with each other on and off. I hope that whatever it is, we each get over it.
We are now just over 100 kilometers from Santiago, the distance which you must demonstrate you've walked to get your certificate. This means there are a lot more pilgrims and the places to stay are filling up. Thankfully we've secured reservations for the remainder of our trip. We ran into a father and his teenage son from Seattle, and young man from Quebec, and our Portugese friend Joan from way back at the start of the trail. He has been fighting tendinitis as well, but ran 26 miles yesterday and 29 the day before.
Our pension tonight is also an albergue and is in a beautiful spot overlooking the River valley we walked through today. The highlight of the day was the town of Sarria, population 7,000, with it's typically meandering, hilly Spanish streets, 647 (it seems like) churches, and a sizable castle. We also stopped for refreshments (Dad had a local moonshine, called orujo, to fortify himself for the last leg) and in true Spanish fashion, the tapas we consumed were gratis. I love this country.
Tomorrow will be a bit longer, 12 miles, and we are keeping an eye on the weather. It looks like thunderstorms at the moment, but at least temperatures are staying down, unlike much of the rest of Spain.
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