What’s the Use of Going Downhill?

Today was bright and clear. As I started my walk from Berducedo to Grandas de Salime, there were clouds above me and more clouds in the valley below. It was glorious and affirming. And I realized: This sense of serenity, contemplation, discovery and self-reliance is why we walk the Camino.

Also, as I was passed by friends I had made over the last two days, I kept remembering the phrase, “It’s your camino.” I may be slower than most, but I get there. The only consequence today is I got the worst bottom bunk in the albergue; all the others had been taken when I finally got there. Small price for doing it my way.

Today’s walk was almost all hills, including one long, steep descent to a hydroelectric dam built in the Franco era, followed by a steady roadway ascent to my destination. There were very few level parts.

I thought of a Louis Jordan song I bastardized in my mind during the many ups and downs of the Camino del Norte that Sharon and I walked in 2023. Instead of “What’s the use of getting sober (when you’ll only get drunk again,)” my version was: What’s the use of going downhill, when you’ll only go up again.