To say it has been an interesting couple of weeks is an understatement. I had always thought of myself as quite self-aware and self-observant, however it took flying 17000km across the world, dropping myself in a non-English speaking country away from my nearest and dearest for life to give me a good hard slap upside the head and let me know there was something going on.
It has been a hard slog since that day. I have been regularly doing some mindfulness exercises and following a strict night time routine so that I am getting the sleep my body needs to recover. These little routines also help with the positive self-talk and orders my thoughts. While my brain hasn’t completely allowed itself to shut down, it is quieter and in a more enjoyable space than it was.
Initially my brain was in free fall. I couldn’t concentrate, wasn’t taking in anything around me, and was just subsisting from minute to minute counting down the days, the minutes, the seconds until I was flying home. But then a wise little chicken (Jordan), gave me a good stern talking to from afar, and recommended an app that had helped her through some dark times. It’s such a simple technique, reflecting at the end of the day on three positive things that I had noticed, and how they made me feel. Initially a lot of those things were related to home - calls from the kids, talking to Brendon, messages from friends on all the socials, but that has evolved to the beauty around me - roses, people, all manner of things here in real time. It has been so effective and now I find myself noting things that I’m grateful for, without having to spend much time thinking about it at night.
The dark cloud that was following my every move is lifting, and I have started enjoying my time here in Spain, exploring with my camera, taking photos of all of the unique little things that catch my eye, and enjoying the culture and the food. Especially the food! I have a list of Spanish dishes that I am going to try to cook when I return home, with pulpo (octopus) at the top of the list.
The people here are so generous and friendly - and I have to remind myself that even the grumpy looking old men have the most beautiful countenances when you ask them a question. While being immersed in such fast-speaking Spanish-speakers has not improved my listening to Spanish, I was chuffed to be able to answer some basic questions today when I visited the tourist office here in town. “A donde esta” Australia. “Que lugar” Brisbane. There is that brief moment of processing and then it comes easily enough to answer without too much lag!
We have had some absolutely beautiful hotels, a few middle of the road, the occasional “hostel” accommodation, but always friendly and helpful hosts. I have been making notes as I go, so there will be something about them all no doubt in later posts.
But until then, for those who have been a bit concerned, I am ok. I have a week until we arrive in Santiago, a few days there, then my 4 days in Finisterre, where I have a couple of day trips planned, and then 4 days in Madrid before heading back to Brisbane. I am looking forward to the rest of the trip and while still missing my family, am keen to see the rest of Spain that is ahead of us. My foot is still not up to much walking other than around the local villages and towns, but my camera keeps me occupied and there’s always a church, castle or cathedral to be visited.
There is still plenty of work to be done, and it will be some time before I think I will have processed this holiday, but as they say, the camino will provide a cure, if only you listen.
