Walking in Solitude but Never Alone

by Amy A. Kavanaugh | Kalamazoo, MI

The Camino is a place where you can be alone physically, mentally, and spiritually. This solitude can allow an empty soul to be filled again, with love, hope, wisdom, and trust. This presented itself clearly after making an erroneous turn searching for my distant hostel. 

On that day, I had walked alone for more than 10 hours. The sun was dwindling and dusk was setting upon me. I arrived in O Cebreiro seeing a tourist bus with pilgrims milling about. How excited I was to see people! A welcome relief from the solitude I had throughout the day. I glanced at my phone to check where my accommodation was. At that moment, I noticed my phone had 1% battery left. The light was fading quickly and my exhausted body was feeling every step, so I did a quick web search for my hostel, dismayed that the accommodation appeared to be five miles from O Cebreiro. 

I followed my map into the woods off of the highway, and began to panic as this did not seem correct. I continued on the grass path, hyperaware of my phone’s low battery, the fading daylight, and the many more miles to my destination. I began walking super fast and feeling extremely vulnerable, as if I was a lost child. 

I then decided that if I was lost, I would lay down and spread my rain poncho out and sleep there until daylight. I continued walking and then began speaking out loud to a higher power:

“Please help me find my way.” 

I surrendered. 

Suddenly, my phone. I looked down at the notification; my daughter had just sent me a random text from the United States. A peace came over me, and I realized that I was supposed to be on this walk and that I could listen to and trust my higher power. I knew, right then, that I was close to O Cebreiro. I continued on the woodland path and it led me out into the dark streets of O Cebreiro. I was overjoyed to see my cousin waiting outside the hotel, relieved to see me.

This experience made me aware that I was never alone. I am never alone. I only need to call upon a higher power for help, guiding me in wisdom, trust, hope, and love.