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Darren Hill

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El Camino

Thoughts from my second Camino

November 7, 2019 by Darren Hill

During my preparations for the Camino in 2017, I met people who have done the way more than once. I was baffled – why would someone want to walk all that way so many times?

Within a few days of my own first Camino, I began to realize why this was so.

The Camino is unlike what we experience in everyday life. It has a simple purpose. People have one goal and without competition. It is a form of meditation and a place where we can truly search deep within ourselves.

I knew I too would go back, and the next time I would go alone.

My chosen career as an actor makes it hard to plan in advance. Theatre projects usually last around 3 months and onscreen opportunities can present themselves with a moment’s notice.

I saw a window of time in September of 2019, so I took it.

Since I couldn’t afford to go back and do the entire Camino, I decided to walk from Pamplona to Burgos and then have a few days in Madrid.

Back on the Camino, I realized within a few hours how much I missed it. How much I had closed myself off from this community. After my first time on the Camino, I had every intention of remaining open and free when returning to Chicago, but that had not happened.

The first two days I hardly spoke to anyone, only if I had to. When I was resting, I got out my laptop and wrote, about my time there before but also my time there now.

Once I was back into the swing of being a pilgrim again, I started to talk. I met people from Germany, France, Ireland, England, Korea, America, Canada, Mexico, Lithuania, Poland – the list goes on.

The conversations I had this time were the same as last. About life, rules, challenges, being open and true. This time I was on my own and I could do whatever I wanted. It was a joy. I learnt so much more and feel I have a slightly better perspective of what I need to do in my life.

I need to simplify it.

It is so easy to get caught up with “keeping up with the Joneses”. My career as an actor requires a passion and dedication, and it can be easy to get swallowed up in that.

I am going to take steps forward, but also back from it all.

Day 11 – La Tabacalera

September 22, 2019 by Darren Hill

In La Tabacalera, a wonderful use of old warehouse buildings opened up for artists of all forms to perform. Loved it here.

Day 8 – Ages

September 19, 2019 by Darren Hill

You never know what you are going to come across on the way.

In Ages, inside the Church of Santa Eulalia, King Garcia Sanchez III was buried here after he was killed during the battle of Atapuerca against his brother Ferdinand.

Day 7 – Redecilla del Camino and Belorado

September 18, 2019 by Darren Hill

Redecilla del Camino, leaving Rioja region and entering Castilla y Leon. This area is known for having remains of early humans, classified them as Homo heidelbergensis.

In the albergue in Belorado, a typical evening spent with new friends. Nathen and Aude on the guitarlele and my Danish friends singing a wonderful rendition of 99 Red Balloons.

Day 5 – Najera

September 16, 2019 by Darren Hill

In Najera, this was the site of one of my favorite places I did the play back in 2017. Beautiful river and a lovely medieval town.

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