So here I go again: the Camino de Santiago for the third time. What took me so long to be ready asking myself the really important question: who am I and what is my relationship to God? Some need more than one attempt - I belong to that group! ‚It’s Going to be good for you to slow down and calm down‘, the words of my brother resonate in my head. Yes, the events of December 22nd have been traumatic: my mother unexpectedly dying in front of me on the island of Norderney where we were supposed to spent a relaxed Christmas. But why is everybody so worried about me? Maybe because they care about me, or maybe, because I really need to slow down and figure out what to do next in my life.

The morning started with the first test. I woke up 20 minutes before my alarm - typical when I go on important trips I am fully alert. The transportation was ordered for 5:30 am, but when I peaked out the door I spotted my cab already at 5:20 am - so I am off to an early start - which came in handy as there wer two accident en route which built up quite a traffic jam. The trip usually at this time takes no more than 30 min - but turned out to be an hour 15 minutes. I got a little nervous but I was still well within the one hour before departure. The check in counter was completely empty and off I went to the security check.

‚Coming through…going to Palermo with my family, please let me cut in front of the line or I will miss my flight.‘, an Italian announced his arrival at security check with the cutest, thickest accent possible.. ‚You cannot cut in front of everybody‘, an alarmed security.clerk shouted at the family. ‚He can cut in front of me‘ I protested - the family is already a nervous wreck so give them some slack I thought. Practice random acts of kindness - let this be my motto for the coming month!

The flight to Madrid with connection to San Sebastián left 40 min late due to personnel problems at the DUS airport. When will they finally get their act together and provide sufficient capacity at the airports for on time departures? Airport collect the airport taxes from us travelers wether they provide more capacity or not - somebody needs to regulate this - but not me, not now and not today! I am getting ready for my third Camino! The pilot, a lady my age, caught up the delay with an extra fast flight and I had no problems connecting to my onward flight.

Standing in line to board again I spotted a guy who looked like a hiker.‚Are you going to Saint Jean Pied du Port‘ , I asked a Bavarian fellow Traveller who looked like he could step on the Camino with his cargo pants and hiking backpack. ‚ No, I am starting in San Sebastián this year‘. I thought I could share a ride to Saint Jean Pied du Port, but in this case I guess I am on my own. ‚. Enjoy the fine restaurants of San Sebastian‘ I wished him good bye and ‚Bon Camino‘ as we pilgrims greet us. If the whole world would become pilgrims and treat each other as friendly as on the Camino de Frances we would have no wars, I thought to myself.

I got to San Sebastián - and what can I say; the bloody Düsseldorf airport misplaced my luggage - together with some Dutch pilgrims who also started in Dusseldorf we are filing our report. Not enough, when I finally get out of the Terminal there are some 50 people waiting for taxis with no taxis in sight…somebody trying to test my patience!!!

Finally a taxi appears after a good hour which picked me up to get to St Jean Pied. When I got there I power shopped to get some essentials ( underwear, raincape, small backpack for my iPad and iPhone….and of course a pilgrim pass….I already had one, but need a new one now as the one is in my missing  backpack….hopefully I reunite with the backpack tomorrow in Roncesvalles…..

The walk up to Orrison was hard…the last 2 km were killing me, but at least it was not raining. I sat at a table with some wonderful people from 5he states and Australia - that sure made up for the stress of the day…now is bunker bed time: 10 people in my tiny room…oh well, I will survive. One of the many beer from the diner will sure help me to find some sleep.


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