3rd July Transforming

Porto

Despite fears that today might in fact be one day too long, it has in fact been a good day, one that got off to a promising start when I realised that Portugal and Spain don't keep the same time. 

Not that my body clock noticed as it still seeming to think I need to be awake at 6am, but it was a chance to go down to the banks of the Douro and wish some of those setting out early on the Portuguese Coastal Camino a blessed experience, the initial route from Porto Cathedral passing alongside the river.

And after a breakfast in the hostel that would not have been out of place on a cruise ship, I did what my body has done for the past 30 days; I walked the initial 7km of that particular journey to Foz do Douro. A glutton for punishment or unable to let the opportunity go...you decide. Again it was one that brought back memories of my time here with TOM, when we took a ride out on the tram and a slow meander back.

At the moment I have escaped the heat of midday within the cool cloisters of Porto Cathedral, although some families seem to have got it confused with Euro Disney judging by the amount of noise they are making. Or a fashion shoot for Vogue judging by all the positioning, preening and pouting that is going on. But here in a relatively calm and quiet part of the building I have a chance to ponder and reflect.

I have no doubt when I get back some folks will express that what I have done is a 'once in a lifetime' experience. Uhm...yes and no. We all have once in a lifetime experiences; almost 15 years to the day I was ordained in Portsmouth Cathedral and assuming I don't jump denominations and get 'reordained', that will be a once in a lifetime event.

What I perhaps struggle with is the connotation that a 'once in lifetime' experience, although unique, will be something that will never be equalled. Everything else will always pale in comparison. You've already had the best, everything else is now second best. 

I dislike, for example, the thought of a once in a lifetime holiday, It suggests that's the top, the pinnacle, the best it will ever be. And every holiday before and after that was somehow inferior. 

And whilst this trip has been utterly fantastic, I hope and pray that it isn't a 'once in a lifetime' memorable event, but rather a memorable event in a whole lifetime of experiences.

Tomorrow I go back, and as I have said I am ready to go. But not to my old life, although in some ways the routines and rhythms might be too ingrained and familiar to be able to change, but I hope it is to a different way of life, of being, of relating and connecting.

This has been a transforming journey, quite how I struggle to put into words. But by being open to 'the camino' working on me, in me and through me, via the landscapes I have  crossed and the people I have encountered I have been changed. Changed from who I was into a better version of who I might still become. Only time will tell just how.

This is the final post from 'Slowing down to Santiago ', So to those who walked with me, these blogs are dedicated to you all, To those who have followed my journey on line I hope you have enjoyed being armchair travellers with me. To those who have held me in prayer, thank you. And to TOM, see you tomorrow.

One camino has ended, another is about to begin.