Day 30- Arzacq-ArraziguetToday turned out to be an easy walking day, despite the intense cold. We caught up with 4 pilgrims we hadn’t seen for over 2 weeks. It was good to learn they are progressing well. Not all pilgrims are so lucky, today we heard of one (we had previously walked with), who had to abandon his Camino after 4 weeks of effort. Last night a girl from French Canada needed to stop and seek medical attention as her ankles were too swollen to walk; while man was having the day off with foot problems.
On two occasions as we walk we encountered following inscription: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children (Antoine De Saint Exupery). In our age it is a reminder to all that we are merely stewards of our planet. We read regular reports in Australia that the divide between the rich and poor in Western countries is increasing. Most of us learn this from the media rather than first hand experience. In fact many of us are sheltered from ever dealing with the disadvantaged. Through this Camino, in largely rural France and last year in Spain; we have received an exposure to significant sections of society in economic difficulty. This is seen in small shops, about the size of our corner stores in Engadine, which normally have a large stock of goods; but here the shelves are short of stock and the shops of customers. In small bars and coffee shops where the owner awaits at the door the arrival of the pilgrim. In some stores the items on the shelves are placed one to one in a line so that you have 2 metres of the same product trying to make the large premises look busy, but the empty freezer cabinets put a lie to this. These are the outward signs a pilgrim observes, the personal impacts will never be seen by us. In Engadine, like many others, I am insulated from seeing those in need, but I am made aware only by reports that there is great need around us. The Camino (while in different lands) has reminded me of needs in our own country.
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