- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances Roncesvalles to Sahagun Oct 2016
Sahagun to SDC April 2017 Burgos to SDC April 2018
Every year at this time I am drawn through the mists of time to a very meaningful moment in my life. Long ago, and I mean long ago, I was a young single constable in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). I was alone on patrol on Christmas eve. This was a regular occurrence for those of us who were single so families could be at home preparing for the visit from ole Saint Nick. There was no one else out and about and I felt that I could be the only person in the universe. A universe which presented to me a remarkably clear sky with thousands of bright stars. I suspect it was because of the clear sky or some other atmospheric phenomenon but I was hearing radio transmissions from ordinarily impossible distances. I still felt alone and lonely.
At the stroke of midnight, I heard the loud "bing bong" of the communications network repeater system kicking in. Then a voice said: "this is XJE 49 Saskatoon with a special broadcast, Merry Christmas everyone" Within moments the air was filled with: "This car 515 from Craik Highway patrol, merry Christmas" and then this car 423 Tisdale detachment" and "this is car 727 Cut Knife detachment" and so on for approx. 10 minutes. I was separated from these people by many kilometers but it was shockingly clear that I was not alone. I was part of something bigger with a sense of camaraderie that was heart warming and very touching. We were all a group of strangers linked by a common bond.
In essence, is this not what draws us back to return Caminos. A sense of camaraderie with others, strangers but with a common bond or purpose, ready to talk and to share. For those of us brave enough to share damage done by the stressors of life's demands, we need to know that we are not alone. There are people throughout our lives to talk to. There are vivid memories of times and people that rest just below the surface that when visited bring peace and understanding.
One final point was that at the end of all of kindred messages, came a voice from some wag, I never did know the joker, who said " This is Kenji Sukomoto from radio Japan. A Merry Christmas to all from an old "Mountie" and a "young walker". At 81, I feel that I have at least one more Camino in me.
At the stroke of midnight, I heard the loud "bing bong" of the communications network repeater system kicking in. Then a voice said: "this is XJE 49 Saskatoon with a special broadcast, Merry Christmas everyone" Within moments the air was filled with: "This car 515 from Craik Highway patrol, merry Christmas" and then this car 423 Tisdale detachment" and "this is car 727 Cut Knife detachment" and so on for approx. 10 minutes. I was separated from these people by many kilometers but it was shockingly clear that I was not alone. I was part of something bigger with a sense of camaraderie that was heart warming and very touching. We were all a group of strangers linked by a common bond.
In essence, is this not what draws us back to return Caminos. A sense of camaraderie with others, strangers but with a common bond or purpose, ready to talk and to share. For those of us brave enough to share damage done by the stressors of life's demands, we need to know that we are not alone. There are people throughout our lives to talk to. There are vivid memories of times and people that rest just below the surface that when visited bring peace and understanding.
One final point was that at the end of all of kindred messages, came a voice from some wag, I never did know the joker, who said " This is Kenji Sukomoto from radio Japan. A Merry Christmas to all from an old "Mountie" and a "young walker". At 81, I feel that I have at least one more Camino in me.
