31st May Liminal

So here I am, almost there but not quite. I have left but haven't arrived. I have begun but not really got started. I am a little in limbo, in no man's land, not really in one place or the other. 

I am liminal; dwelling in the uncertain transitional space between where I've been and where I'm going, literally, metaphorically,  geographically, physically, emotionally and who knows maybe even spiritually.

Today I have left Bilbao and travelled by bus, in the opposite direction to the one I shall be walking. And the worrying thought is that for the best part of 2 hours the bus appeared to travel downhill. 

I am currently sat in the Jakobi pilgrim hostel in Irun, the first of what will be many nights alongside fellow travelers as we plan our way slowly but steadily towards Santiago. 

Looking around the  mixed  dormitory, these are the people who will be my fellow pilgrims, for whowever long we walk together. For most this will be the start of their journey, for others it may be that this is just another stop on a walk that started and days / miles ago. 

Some will head all the way to Santiago, staying on the Camino  Del  Norte for its entire length. Other might well follow the Primitivo for the final 12 days. Some due to time constraints will only complete part of the route, promising themselves that they will return to complete the next section 'manyana'.

Whatever the plan there is a palpable nervous excitement in the air. Evening meals are being prepared, rucksacks rearranged, weather predictions checked and early nights the order of the day. Tomorrow lights are switched on in the dorms at 6am and by 8am everyone must have left the Jakobi Pilgrim hostel. Let the adventure begin.