Judgement Day

     A few days ago I went through Sarria.  Many people begin the Camino there as you must walk at least 100km to qualify for a Compostela and it is about 118-120km from Santiago.  The guidebook warns that it might be tempting to pass judgement on these new walkers.  Oh, he was so right.
    So as I sat in a town today eating lunch I noticed all the walkers going by with just day packs.  That means they are either on a tour and the bus will drop off there packs at the next lodging for the evening, or they have paid a service to send their packs ahead.  I look out and think, "Yeah you´re walking easily along... try it with a pa...  oh right, no judgement." 
    I´m walking along enjoying the quiet of the path when I hear lots of voices.  Another group with day packs, all excited, walking along and passing me, "Please, this isn´t another tourist attractions - I´m on a pilgrim... oh,  no judgement."
    I´m seeing new walkers with packs -- "They probably just started in Sarria, maybe back in Leon... either way... again I remember, no judgement"   It is very easy to judge others and note how they have taken the easy way - but I really don´t know that, do I?
   So I finally talk with one of the new faces - a young lady all in black including a jacket (how hard a walk could she be having if she still has on her jac... - no judgement).  I ask her where she´s from.  She answers Bogata Columbia.  Well, this isn´t just a day trip.  We talk a little more.  She does massage therapy, acupuncture and other alternative healing methods.  She was going to be in Santiago (she spoke english well, but I didn´t understand exactly why she was going there), so she decided she would take an extra week of vacation and walk from Sarria.  Her name is Carmen.  It´s really hard to pass judgement on someone when you talk with them a short while.  I liked Carmen.  I understood why she was taking this opportunity to experience what she could of the Camino.  Perhaps she will come back another time and walk more.
    Closely related to judgement is pride.  Someone passed me and asked where I started from.  I said Roncesvalles and the response was Ahhh! You could see my status rising in his eyes.  But claiming the pride of how far I walked seemed to be a judgement on his short walk.  As I finish this walk into Santiago I hope I can take personal satisfaction in knowing I have done well on my Camino, but not boast.  And may I look at each Peregrino as someone who is walking the Camino for their own reasons.  And who am I to judge?
Bueno Camino!