People are Chameleons

A business man learns to walk a little faster in NYC, an immigrant learns to layer up during the cold northern winters and a child learns to speak a new language in a foreign country. These are adaptations humans undergo to fit better to their new environment; survival of the fittest says only those who can adapt will survive and therefore it's a natural concept.

Being out of your comfort zone teaches you little things about who you are. We are influenced by our surroundings and more than often changed by them, just as a chameleon. I was taught to always be myself, no matter where or with who. But what if this change brings out the better you? Is that changing who you are?

During El Camino I met great people, as if I haven't said it enough. And to be great in one place should mean you're great in all places! Or so I thought. I recently met up with an "old friend" from El Camino and I was extremely disappointed. How could someone that was so positive, happy and open to life be so rotten spoiled and pessimistic? Just 5 days had passed. The important life lessons he taught me, I couldn't find anywhere in this stranger I saw in front of me.

We all learn from one another; good and bad. This rapid negative change opened my eyes to the way I act when I am put in different situations. I say this because after one day with this friend, I began to notice who he really was outside of El Camino. It wasn't that he changed in those 5 days, it's that he was like that all along and the camino brought out another person in him. A great person. Once he stepped back into his normal life he was back to the old guy.

Adapting is necessary and sometimes a healthy environment such as El Camino can help you be the best you can be. I think the most upsetting part of this story is that he could have gone back home to continue being an amazing, inspiring person but didn't see it and was soon shaped back into the guy society had formed before El Camino.

This picture, total coincidence, was taken today in El Parque Guell, Barcelona. It's a beautiful park full of art by my new favourite artist and architect, Antoni Gaudí.

A Few Days in the South of Spain

After visiting Cuenca, I took off on Sunday to do a little tour around the south of Spain. Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Murcia. But things that cannot be explained happen, and for some reason in the end they end up making sense.

I loved Sevilla for it's interesting history. Every street is named after some historical event or legend, every building has a story and every orange tree was planted with a purpose. I took three tours: one by myself where I had some time to get lost in the small city centre, one with a tour guide and one with a local. Every time I saw and learned new things. And once again, I met great people. Two Germans, a Scottish girl, a few Canadians, an Australian, a pair of Portugueses... It never ends!

After missing my train about 5 times in one day, I realized that a subconscious part of me didn't want to leave. So after hugging everyone goodbye, I walked back into the hostel for yet another night of adventures.

Yesterday I forced myself into a train to Granada, deciding to skip Cordoba altogether. There is simply not enough time to see everything. I got to Granada early and met a friend I made recently on El Camino. We toured around the Alhambra. What can I tell you about this historical building? I can tell you it has a spirit, it has detailed carvings on the walls that are by no means simple, it has fountains and gardens and beautiful views.

Today I find myself in Malaga, right by the ocean. Who knows what adventures tomorrow will bring?

A Contagious Smile

The Camino is over. Today I said my final goodbye as I walked out of the train station in Madrid, with a hole that ate my appetite and energy. After a long hot shower I sat with little enthusiasm to plan the next, and last, week in Spain. Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Barcelona still wait for me. The only thing that kept me from hiding in a dark hole were the memories of my family, who adopted me on the first day, smiling at me, encouraging me to keep walking, to keep living. And this post is dedicated to them.

Miguel with his crooked smile and endless jokes that lightened up the mood when the rain brought us down. Paco with the rhythm of his waking sticks that tell you to keep going and never give up. Other Paco who never lost his perseverance; blisters and flat feet never discouraged the guy. Antonio with his helpful tips on how to stretch and Carlos with his never ending schpeel about Barcelona. Encarna, the mother of the group, who cured everyone's wounds and made sure our clothes were washed and dried; her caring and selflessness. Shady, who's bag was heavier that all of ours and who's pace was a little slower, never lost his step or smile that spread from one ear to the other. Jesus who became a brother to me, someone I could talk to without speaking, who challenged me to be myself, to be happy and thankful. He taught me that people's emotions and thoughts are contagious; if you surround yourself by optimists and people full of life, that is how you will live yours.

Why was El Camino such a positive experience? Because the people I spent it with were good people who influenced me to be good as well.

Santiago de Compostela

We made it. A trip I thought I was doing alone ended up being anything but; even when I walked alone I knew there was someone there for me. I am happy to have made it to Santiago, and have gone to the mass dedicated to us pilgrims, and have hugged the saint but there is no happiness that can compare to a group hug or a smile that says, "I will never forget you." I am in Santiago with healthy people who inspire me to be the very best I can be and that is what El Camino means to me.

El Camino

There's nothing like it you see. No way for me to describe it but to live it yourself. The strangers you meet who become family. The delicious food you can't help but to eat again and again. The beautiful scenery that takes you by surprise every few steps. The incredible pain you feel in muscles you don't even know you have. The desire for a hot shower at the end of the day. The endless conversations about life and everything that has to do with living it. The smiles, the tears, the beers and cheers. I can't tell you how much I love El Camino and the family I have made.

We reach santiago tomorrow!

El Camino Day One

We started walking before the sun came out. 35km later we were walking towards what would be our bed for the night at an auberge for pilgrims. Ladies and gents, my first day on The Camino towards Santiago. I am now 80km away from the famous cathedral where for centuries people have walked to to give thanks, to ask for forgiveness and to seek hope. Many times I have been asked why I do it? What's my purpose? It's freedom. You chose how to walk it, you chose who to talk to, you chose where to sleep and what to eat.

Yesterday on my 7 hour bus ride to Sarria I could have sworn I was walking alone and finding a place to sleep on my own. Today I walked for 9 hours and only 1 was alone, by choice. There is always someone to hear your story; there is always someone with a story to tell. And tonight I rest in a room with 10 other people whom I just met 24 hours ago but seem like I've known forever. Good night pilgrims all over the world, I hope tomorrow you walk with a purpose. As for me, I hope my feet don't betray me tomorrow.

Good People

Aren't hard to find. And lately I have realized I have overstayed everywhere I have gone. And it's not because I have more to see, I pretty much get that out of the way in the first day or two. But it's because of the good people I meet. I find that by the time I leave, I have made a home in every city and to be honest, I don't want to leave. It's comfortable and I love the people who have become my family. But my trip must go on. Monday I leave for Santiago de Compostela for an 100km walk in 4 days. Tomorrow we visit Segovia. Here are some pictures of the beautiful city of Toledo we visited today. Madrid, your people will be missed.