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| On the Spanish Maseta |
Expenses (in euros):
Coffee and tortilla, 3
Hostel, 5
Groceries, 3
Dinner, 10
Total: 21
Our guidebook keeps referring to the Meseta as "the lonely Maseta". At first I didn't see it, but now I'm starting to get where the author is coming from. The long stretches between villages and the lack of noise (the loudest sound we heard today was the sound of the wind) are providing the perfect environment for self-reflection and the occasional one-on-one conversation.
A common topic of discussion is life choices. Just about everyone we've spoken to has a recent or upcoming life change to contemplate and choices to make - new living arrangements, a career change, transitioning into retirement, students graduating from university or college contemplating how to begin their careers, and on and on - I expect the list is as long as the number of people who walk the Camino. Naturally, many are using their time on the Camino to contemplate options.
Baasje and I have our own life changes to contemplate and choices to consider. It's been great to have long stretches of time to ourselves to discuss the possibilities. It's also been helpful to hear about other hikers' life experiences and get their thoughts on their successes and challenges. Its a diverse group of folks and when we're contemplating a specific topic or question, we almost always find ourselves in the company of someone who has some relevant comments to add to the discussion.
Early on in the journey, just after we left Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, we were asked to fill out a survey about our reasons for hiking the Camino. I passed over "religious" and "spiritual" and went for "cultural" and "sport/recreation" but I might provide different answers if I were asked to fill out that same survey at this point. My experience is turning out to be as much a personal journey of growth and self-discovery as a physical one.
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