Outside reading (2)

Six Million Steps: a Journey Inward
November 22nd
SArah Clark


I never thought I could experience a virtual reality of the Camino until watching this film.  I got to see some of the non-glamorous moments hikers experience of six people snoring heavily in the same room, people sharing their dirty socks to stay warm and getting “rained on to the bone.”  I got to see the fun moments where hikers would play games where they would try to say “turkey, turkey, turkey” with wheat in their mouths.  I got to see cultural niches such as wine taps, very long pillows, dancers, musicians who can play their guitar behind their back, and “don’t shit” signs.  I got to see religious experiences such as a lady worshipping in one of the cathedrals.  I got to hear about profound trail relationships.  There was one girl from NY who even got adopted by a sweet couple.  They would wait at each stop to make sure she got there safely and would buy her wine.  There was also a man who gave a hiker his hiking stick that he used for his pilgrimage after his wife died and that both of his son’s had used while hiking the camino.  These moments made me realize how trail families took being family seriously.  They all looked out for each other and would pass something on to you the same way they would to their own blood.  I also got to hear some of the trail knowledge people gained.  A lot of people said it helps you slow down and really live again.  I thought what the girl from NY said that she found out was cool.  She said “to be truly independent, you need to know when to be independent and when to be dependent on others.”  

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