The Camino, The Way

I stand in awe of white mountain peaks, lush green fields, and the still blue lake reflecting its inner peace into my soul. One last time I take in the view, drinking in as much as I can with my eyes, as if to save some for later when my life becomes dry.
 
He's fastening my backpack to the front of his motorcycle while I quickly check the hostel one last time for anything we may have left behind. With our helmets on, we stop a moment and share a concealed smile. All is quiet and I can see the excitement in his eyes as adventure builds within us.
 
Three days ago, I didn't know this person existed.
One week ago, I was planning a quiet, peaceful retreat in the mountains for myself.
One month ago, I questioned whether I made the right decision to leave the comforts of my life to venture to a new country because I felt more alienated and more alone than I have ever experienced before.
Six months ago, I had never set foot in this country.
 
Now here I was on the back of a motorcycle, off on an adventure through northern Spain and I had no idea where this road would take me. The wind was deafening and created a silence in my helmet for my thoughts to roam free, like the birds that followed us in the sky. There was a lightness growing within my body, my spirit was content, and I could not help but smile as landscapes flew past me. It was a good day to be alive.

We were climbing up mountains alongside running rivers and lakes as calm and clear as glass. Enormous green hills sprinkled with rural houses and small villages revealed a new way to live in and with nature. As we were making our way through the windy mountain roads, we saw a forest transform into a beach overlooked by a magnificent, towering bridge that seemed to link the heavens and the earth.  All these different things were existing in the same space and living in harmony in a way I never knew was possible before. Things I saw along our camino:

Mountain
Lake
Reflection
 
Silence
Snow
Green
 
Mud on boots
Tractor
Cows in road
 
Tunnel
Land to sea
Concrete mountains
 
Vespa, loafers
Dog on leash
High heels
Cane
 
All different
All humans
All walking