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Three Caminos
Would you walk across another country, setting each foot before the other, day after day, outrunning your shadow into a westering sun? Would you cross a mountain range and then pass other peaks one after another until you reach a high plateau - and then keep walking? Would you still go on until, at last, your sun sets in an endless ocean and you can walk no more?
Would you do this in the latter half of life? Would you take a chance that some illness, not so long ago conquered, might return at the most unwelcome moment? Would you risk the chance of injury and find yourself at the side of the road, nursing a blister or a tendon, and would you go on despite the pain?
Would you do this in a country where you do not speak the language, knowing you might lose your way and not knowing where you might spend each night?
Do you hesitate? Consider that your days might be a little closer to nature than what you now know. You might start your day with the chanticleer’s cry, and your path might cross the path of stately cows, a gentlemanly bull, more sheep than you can count and a horse whose ancestor carried Coronado on his search for cities of gold. Birds, too, will keep you company — impertinent magpies, storks nesting in their church towers and, high above, vultures on the watch for death.
And there will be other pilgrims, too, sharing the same adventure on the road to Santiago, walking the same way that millions have walked before you for a thousand years and more. And as you walk with them you will each share your stories as pilgrims always do.
Yes, you just might do it and you might find yourself a somewhat altered person at the end of the long, long road.
These essays were written while walking three times to Santiago, all along reflecting on history and literature, love and friendship and children and the raising of children.
Would you do this in the latter half of life? Would you take a chance that some illness, not so long ago conquered, might return at the most unwelcome moment? Would you risk the chance of injury and find yourself at the side of the road, nursing a blister or a tendon, and would you go on despite the pain?
Would you do this in a country where you do not speak the language, knowing you might lose your way and not knowing where you might spend each night?
Do you hesitate? Consider that your days might be a little closer to nature than what you now know. You might start your day with the chanticleer’s cry, and your path might cross the path of stately cows, a gentlemanly bull, more sheep than you can count and a horse whose ancestor carried Coronado on his search for cities of gold. Birds, too, will keep you company — impertinent magpies, storks nesting in their church towers and, high above, vultures on the watch for death.
And there will be other pilgrims, too, sharing the same adventure on the road to Santiago, walking the same way that millions have walked before you for a thousand years and more. And as you walk with them you will each share your stories as pilgrims always do.
Yes, you just might do it and you might find yourself a somewhat altered person at the end of the long, long road.
These essays were written while walking three times to Santiago, all along reflecting on history and literature, love and friendship and children and the raising of children.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2016
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5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 18, 2020
Camino story
The author is a fine storyteller. As a fellow senior, I was inspired by the physicality of the adventure, and I see the advantage of sharing the path with a storyteller. Hope to follow his footsteps one day.
The author is a fine storyteller. As a fellow senior, I was inspired by the physicality of the adventure, and I see the advantage of sharing the path with a storyteller. Hope to follow his footsteps one day.
March 20, 2022
The reflective tone of Mr. Ryan’s book captures the essence of the Camino. To walk the path without distraction, to contemplate one’s life and our relationships with family, friends; to be come one with one’s world. Perfect.
April 14, 2025
A Very Good Read for Anyone interested in walking the Camino
This was a very good read for anyone interested in walking the Camino. Well written and heartfelt; I enjoyed it very much.
This was a very good read for anyone interested in walking the Camino. Well written and heartfelt; I enjoyed it very much.
September 16, 2018
Live the life you imagine
The American philosopher Emerson told his students, "You must live the life you imagine," and in this moment we have done so.
The American philosopher Emerson told his students, "You must live the life you imagine," and in this moment we have done so.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews