I decided to continue on to Carrion de los Condes, it was late afternoon, and scorching hot out. I had stopped for a snack in Villacazar de Sirga, and killed as much time as I could, as the Sunday afternoon crowd dwindled down, and had to find a place to sleep or walk on. I walked.
A long, lonely walk with a hot breeze blowing off the fields. I arrived into the quiet town and got the last bed in the Santa Maria albergue. A top bunk. I barely had time to drop my bag and take off my shoes before the meet and greet. I sat halfway up the stairwell, surrounded by people from all over the world. Everyone singing. Everyone knew the words to this song, "You Raise Me Up," which I'd never heard before. It was Palm Sunday. We were all asked to introduce ourselves and say why we were here. I still didn't know. I think in retrospect, there was something about when we are stripped of all our outside status and identities, as much as possible, all living the same lives while in motion. All having the same basic needs: to get up, to walk, to eat, to find somewhere to sleep; and searching for an answer, or answering a promise. Who are we when there is no status? How do we relate to one another? How do we love one another?
Anyway, I cried through most of it, which I've mentioned before. I was really sick, which I have also mentioned before, and could barely talk, anyway, much less sing much (even though I wanted to), since my throat was swollen.
Anyway, this song reminds me of that. Of times when we could travel, could leave the house without worry. Could go to work or school or church or dinner with friends. The video reminds me of how much I miss performing, all the choir concerts, and other performances. The waiting before. The travel. The sharing in person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJxrX42WcjQ (Josh Groban's version of "You Raise Me Up.")
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