The Meseta

Different people, in different ways, say that the Camino is like life. Ups & downs, joys & sorrows, persevering & struggling- it's almost a cliche. Nevertheless, it is very true. Two days ago we were in Burgos, home to the second largest cathedral in Spain, and today we are two days into our walk in the Meseta; a desert that lasts for seven days. We've been nervous about the Meseta since the beginning and it really is hot and dry and difficult. But as the cliche goes, there are deserts & mesetas in our lives, just like the Camino. For me, the thing about the Camino is that it is actually pretty simple. You wake up, you eat/drink cafe if you can, you walk, you stop & rest/eat, you walk, you rest etc., find an albergue, shower & wash clothes, nap/find wifi, go to Mass if possible, eat again, sleep- repeat. Because the Camino is a simpler life and because there is a lot of quiet & time to think, as well as real physical suffering, it is impossible to live life as you did at home. In our normal lives, we can distract ourselves from our fears, insecurities, loneliness, inconsistencies, doubts, problems, etc. with so many different things. It is easy to be numb, to avoid the issue, to live a life on the surface. It's much harder to do that here. The distractions are gone, silence fills the space of noise, and you are faced with yourself. Your real self. I hope that as the Meseta continues & the Camino continues we'll continue to be faced with these questions, and be open to the answers and healing that God provides.