We’ll have a map. Yellow arrows will point the way. Shells will mark our path. But we are bound to get lost as we traverse the Camino de Santiago.
Because, just look at one of the directions on paper:
When exiting Sahagun, take the “BURGOYNE RAINIERO and RELIEGOS” route, NOT the “CALZADILLA de LOS HERMANILLOS ONE.”
That sounds like a stern warning. Go one way for a warm bed; go the other way for a chilly night with a pack of Spanish-speaking dogs who roll their Rs when they bark, “R-r-r-r-r-r-ruff.”
No matter. We love a three-dog night.
We’re always likely to take the wrong route, the one less traveled for a good reason. That’s our trademark. Just last Sunday, I was in the right lane out of habit. Nancy looked up for one second and pointed the the left without saying a word — a silent understanding of our awkward tendency to pay more in gasoline taxes.
We never thought we would use guided navigation in our car. Now we’re uttering the usual cliché: “How did we live without this thing.”
On the Camino, we will be learning maps all over again. Or maybe we will just follow the crowd, like we do to find our way to the Warriors box office, only to find we’re in a line of groupies looking for a glimpse of Stephan Curry in street clothes.
So help us. We two shadowy figures need to find our way to the cathedral in Santiago. If you can navigate this maze without any wrong turns, it will send us good vibes and encourage us to find our way.
The Road Less Travelled… for the few, the brave… the strong… (some just directionally challenged).