What a bunch we are!

[VNwalking]

I'm getting a kick out of @wayfarer 's Christmas thread--as much because of the many countries represented as anything...
So far there are kind wishes on that thread from:
irelandhollandgermanyfrancebelgiumcanadaaustraliawalesburmausaenglandcostaricathailandcanadaitaly,
And on another similar threads or yet to chime in are Forum 'regulars' from
newzealandspainportugalswizerlandsloveniadenmarkmexicosouthafricaisraelscotland...and of course, norway (A special Thank you to Ivar!)
(And I'm sure I have forgotten someone from somewhere (my apologies...)

Where's the separation? We're all just peregrino/as, united by something that is bigger than nationality and any 'ism.' I wish the world at large was more like we are.
May there be peace and all goodwill between all the peoples on earth.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Beautifully said, @Viranani

Whenever I'm asked to describe the Camino I always say that it is the United Nations on feet... echoes of that iconic song written by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers (I've left out the last line with its label 'I am Australian'):
We are one
But we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We'll share a dream
And sing with one voice...

When we become part of something greater than ourselves, there are no boundaries, no strangers, no 'other'... It gives me great hope for 2017 and our collective future...

 

[VNwalking]

I wish the world at large was more like we are.

On reflection, I also guess I wish the world had moderators that are as good as the ones we have here.

So a special Christmas nod of appreciation: thank you for your careful vigilance, all you mods--you manage to hold the fine balance between treating us as adults, and stepping in if we forget our manners and go over the line. Three cheers and raised holiday glasses to you!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

As you stated,the world would be a better place with moderators as we have here.
A few cheers from me to.

 

[Saint Mike II]

So can we arrange for a few world leaders (Russia; USA - (both the current and the future); Syria; China) to walk (say from Sarria) the Camino. Stay in some of the regular albergues and meet their fellow world citizens?! This does not have to be a religious pilgrimage - just a chance for them to meet as people of the world.

 

[VNwalking]

So can we arrange for a few world leaders (Russia; USA - (both the current and the future); Syria; China) to walk (say from Sarria) the Camino. Stay in some of the regular albergues and meet their fellow world citizens?! This does not have to be a religious pilgrimage - just a chance for them to meet as people of the world.

Ha ha ha.........Good luck with that, Mike!
But seriously: I think we all have to do it for them.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Or just perhaps some of the amazing world citizens that we met on the Camino will become world leaders...

...and I also raise my glass to the moderators... for keeping the Forum a safe place to land.

 

[OLDBIKERIDER]

I had the pleasure of meeting a pilgrim from Italy and over a meal we came up with a plan that restricted people from running for office until they had completed the Camino Frances, St Jean to Santiago, staying in Albergue, washing their own clothes, and interacting with others. They would have two auditors and only upon reaching Santiago and claiming their certificate would the auditors be able to certify them to be on a ballot. It was a long evening, working out the details that I won't include here. However, I feel like that plan may end democracy as we think of it as no-one having completed the Camino would want to put up with what elected officials have to endure. They would be too busy planning their next Camino.

A bit of fantasy on a very real part of our lives. Thanks to all who contribute to the Camino forum and to the general mass of humanity that we have the pleasure to meet along the way.

 

[Kanga]

One of the thing I just love about the Camino, is that you never know who you will meet. It takes us outside our usual social circles and brings us the gift of so many human interactions, always with lessons learnt, knowledge gained, hearts touched. And hopefully some wisdom.

 

[DurhamParish]

One of the thing I just love about the Camino, is that you never know who you will meet. It takes us outside our usual social circles and brings us the gift of so many human interactions, always with lessons learnt, knowledge gained, hearts touched. And hopefully some wisdom.

Amen ('Like' just didn't seem enough.)

 

[jennie]

One of the thing I just love about the Camino, is that you never know who you will meet. It takes us outside our usual social circles and brings us the gift of so many human interactions, always with lessons learnt, knowledge gained, hearts touched. And hopefully some wisdom.

Kanga, you have hit the point exactly,and its gives people the chance that should they trust in the good of human nature they may be surprised and delighted to find most people are good , kind and helpful.

 

[pilgrim b]

Kanga, you have hit the point exactly,and its gives people the chance that should they trust in the good of human nature they may be surprised and delighted to find most people are good , kind and helpful.

So true, we can so easily fall into the cynical view of having very little trust in human nature and allowing our thoughts to run away with distrust! Every moment needs to be a camino moment, unless of course common sense or our personal observations (imho) tells us something very different!