One of the risks in writing a blog like this is coming across as if I have all the answers or know how things should be.  Let me end by saying I am certainly aware I do not.  But, when I think of the self-help section of our book stores I realize I am probably not alone.  It seems each one of us is continually figuring life out with each step of our own individual journey. 

On this journey, as in Spain, I heard of perceptions people have of Americans. Here are some of those I came across.

There is a real perception all Americans are rich.  Granted, most Americans do have more at their disposal then the people I visited.  Still, I tried to explain that most Americans are working people just like them and that right now in our country there are a lot of people experiencing real difficulties in being out of work and loosing their homes.

Just as in Spain, there was an awareness of the activities of our American president and 100% of the people like Barack Obama and feel he is good for America’s relationships outside the United States.  One day I was introduced to a guy from Madrid working in the back woods of Brazil. As we talked he said he had very strong prejudices towards the United States.  I asked him to tell me what they were, he hesitated and so I assured him I wanted to know and do not worry about offending me.  With quite conviction he started to talk about Americans wanting to take over areas outside of the United States and cited examples going back to activities in Central America decades ago. I told him I could only speak for what I believe is the feeling today that most Americans want peace and a good life for their own children as well as all the children of the world.  He seemed to clarify that people like Americans but, do not like American politicians and the policies they make.  I told him there are a lot of Americans right now who would agree with that. 

There is a real awareness of America’s use of world resources.  I was told Americans are 6% of the world population yet, use the majority of many of the world resources.  I know in Spain no matter how small the village or small and windy the street was to get to the village, every village I walked through had a recycling station.  So what can I do?  Am I going to change recycling or energy policies to influence our use of world resources? Probably not.  But, I can manage my life and home in a way that might influence these issues.  A source of pride for me is garbage pick up day in our neighborhood, seriously.   You see I have always taught my kids to eat foods in the form closest to how they appear in nature and applied this practice to my purchasing.  First, it is just healthier and second most of your food will come in its own natural package and you will eliminate man made packaging.  I believe this has an impact.  Over the years, week after week I notice we only put out one garbage can and sometimes not even one because it is not full.  As I drive to work on garbage day I notice in my neighborhood everyone puts out at least two garbage cans, some three and there is even the occasional four.  Most weeks, we are the only house with one garbage can at the curb.  I believe it relates to my purchasing and cooking habits. This is within my control.

As Americans we all need to continue to work on changing some of our behaviors and assist in breaking down the inaccurate perceptions of us around the world.  I believe all of this will assist in eliminating the umbrella of terrorism that we seem to be living under and ultimately achieving peace in the world.  There I go again, go me naïve, I am used to it.

So another journey closes out, thank-you for joining me.  I am already working on a journey for 2012 that will take me back to Spain for a different kind of Camino experience, it should be very cool. I hope you will join me again.  Until then, happy trails and

Buen Camino,

Louise

I did not know that all donkeys have a black cross on the back of their neck.

In the area of Brazil that I am in they believe when Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus were traveling by donkey the baby Jesus pee-peed on the donkey and forever blessed it. 

(I thought Father was pulling my let when he told me this but, apparently it is true…that they believe this… not the pee-pee part.)

Buen Camino,

Louise

Arriving at the new town of Remanso I got to meet Fr. Ed “Whitey” McColl.  Fr. Ed, Edmundo as he is known in Remanso, is in his early eighties and in recent years he has suffered a stroke which has left him unable to use his right arm and sometimes he searches for words.  Through his life Fr. Ed has been an excellent athlete, especially when it came to baseball.  My favorite story about Fr. Ed is from earlier years.  As a young priest he continued to play on a baseball team.  On Sundays he would put his baseball uniform on under his vestments so as soon as the last mass ended he could jump in his car and join his team before the start of their game.  I have visions of him celebrating mass with cleats sticking out from under his vestments.

Despite his current handicap Fr. Ed still tends to the needs of three communities in the back woods, at least 60 km from Remanso.  One evening we drove about an hour to one of these communities to a little chapel in the woods to have mass with this small community. The community is so remote it does not have water, not even the tanks.  It was a beautiful evening.  To watch these people and the love they have for this man and his love for them.  He was there to serve them and they loved having him there.  He stood at the door of this chapel to greet everyone by name, with a hug.  

At one point during mass the young altar server noticed Father’s collar had come undone, tapped Father on the arm to get his attention and when Father turned, without saying anything, the boy fixed the collar of his vestments.  I thought it was such a caring act, this young boy would notice this and want Father to look appropriate while celebrating mass.  At the end of the mass one woman stood and spoke eloquently about Fr. Ed. She said most 82 year old men in his condition would sit down and stop.  But, because of his love of God and concern for them he continues to come.  She said for all of them watching his struggles and continuing on is an inspiration to continue through the challenges they face.  One of the women invited us to her home for coffee and cake, there were ten of us.  These people were so poor but, sharing whatever they had.

Regardless of your faith, let your spirituality be known.  You never know who you may be inspiring or helping.

Buen Camino,

Louise

Drank  a juice that was about the best juice I have ever tasted.  It comes from the caju (cashew) tree.  I did not know the cashew grows as a nut attached to a fruit.  The nuts are harvested to eat.  Down here the fruit is formed into juice.

Buen Camino,

Louise

Just a few of the wonderful people I met along this journey.

Buen Camino,

Louise