Shared Illusions

As does the Chemin…even when you are no longer on it.

I simply love this artwork. Here is what it signifies:

Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary and the Apostles of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-31).

It has nothing to do with the title of this post.

Warning – this post is more of a personal reflection. More for myself, perhaps… You may be bored! Here is what I want to say about the Camino providing:

After leaving the Chemin in Conques I had real misgivings. I wanted to continue, and I had concerns. Rightfully so given Achilles tendon flare-ups. I missed the Chemin so, even while enjoying the travel. I missed the quietude of walking in fresh air in nature. I missed the people and easy interactions. I missed speaking French with acquaintances. I missed the ease of walking, only planning ahead to the next day’s stop. I still miss it and look forward to completing this Chemin (Via Podiensis) next year. It won’t be as steep, so will be easier on compromised joints.

That said, extensive touring has also given me ample time to reflect. Everywhere we go we stop in the cathedrals, chapels, churches – for the history, the artwork, the architecture – and for time to sit in silent meditation within a sacred building, consecrated over centuries by millions of souls.

In the 3 weeks since leaving the Chemin, I have come to realize that I am ready to give up my long-standing desire to live in another country for an extended period of time as a tourist. Without the comraderie of the Chemin, it’s rather isolating. Is it touring? Is it that we’re staying in one country for an extended period? Is it that our Chemin was too short?

At any rate, I get that even staying in one community for 3 months is not the same as committing to a life there. And I don’t see that happening. Our foray into leaving NM for another state left us clear that it is home.

Once I recognized that leaving the Chemin allowed me to gain clarity, I was able to let go of leaving it early as a loss, and instead be thankful for what its absence provided.

I’ve been having a grand time planning outings and where we’ll go next. Which is Vannes. Next post will cover St. Malo and Dinan. But first, 2 photos that show why Rennes is the Paris of Bretagne.