I am now in Spain, where, according to official data, 74% of the territory is at risk of desertification. It is a country where heat has become more deadly. This week, a study concluded that over 60,000 people died last year in Europe from the summer heat. Spain was among the countries hardest hit.
It hits the consciousness like a blast to the face by the unforgiving heat from the sun that bakes our planet and which you’ve so fully described.
I have no words to add to this astounding piece except to congratulate you on your outstanding writing borne from what has culminated not only from this Camino journey but from the decades of watching our planet melt through human neglect.
I implore you to stay safe through the remainder of this arduous undertaking and thank you once again for everything you do to sound the carrion call. 🙏
A blast of hot air & sounds of mourning doves cooing is my wakeup call as I step into my morning in the desert carrying ice water for the bird baths and now even the lizards are waiting. It is already too warm to walk. 117 today. Silence is what I notice. On social media weather forecasters are posting click bait on what records we have now come close to, tied, surpassed and lengthened. Heat is a constant. Heat is a burden. Heat is a killer.
As you so aptly remind us, it is the disenfranchised and marginalized risk populations whose existence is on the line because of Climate Change. It is a comfort to me that someone across the world is worrying, writing and walking about this issue. Con apreciacion, Alex.
As Jackson wrote in the 70s: Oh, people look around you, the signs are everywhere. You have left it for somebody other than you to be the one who cares...... while your walls are burning and your towers are turning, I'm going to leave you here and try to get down to the sea somehow.
Although the reasons are many why Pilgrims walk The Camino, I feel we are all in our own way making our journey trying to get down to the sea somehow. So "walk slow, don't rush. The place you have to reach is yourself." It seems you are doing just that. Gracias por todo.
Thank you Sharon, Just minutes before I read this, I decided to walk to the sea. But I wouldn't have had enough time on my tight schedule that aimed for Santiago. So in the last hour, I decided that tomorrow, I will skip three days of walking to Leon (a route I had walked before) and go to Leon by taxi (to reach the first city) and train in the morning. I will then continue from Leon by foot to Santiago, where I hope to arrive around 30 or 31 July. At that point I will have those three more days to try to reach the "end of the world". I have no idea if this is at all possible but this is the latest plan, but plans keep changing. Your words were perfectly chosen.
Alex, thank you so very much for being there and sharing your experiences with we at home, some more safely than others. Please continue with care for your safety and keep us informed as you are doing. Your reports are cherished for accuracy and the beauty you are sharing along with the crisis unfolding.
Sharon, our situation in SC not as urgent as yours at present . Our intermittent weather emergencies are tornados, flooding, etc. Heat oppressive but not as bad as the SW. So very sorry for those of you in the desert with life threatening heat now, your power grid and water at risk as well. Know that we are thinking of you, hoping for the survival of the precious species with no air conditioning. Giving birds ice water for survival brings tears to my eyes. We are in this together. Thinking of you always.😓
There's so much in this newsletter. Very well written. I think I'm gonna have to re-read it later. A lot of layers in there. I especially liked "Walking a different path on the same Camino" - beautifully said.
Evelyne is so right; there is so much here, I must rest too, return and digest when able. This moment is not the right time for me. My days usually get better as the day moves toward evening, but this day may require regeneration as you have chosen. I will be back; this is an opus to be enjoyed repeatedly. Your words (gems) are so carefully selected and bloom more every day yet the message is painful for we who hope and believe change is possible if only the detractors would give up the petty infighting over things of little importance globally. “Weaponization”, how very absurd. To give attention and time to such idiocy while the planet burns 🔥 is self aggrandizing and futile entirely.
Yes. This. Your writing continues to flourish while our home continues to struggle. Your observations and precise retelling is what drew my attention to The Planet in the beginning, some years ago. As time goes on your narrative becomes more masterful. More compelling. You inspire a conviction to do better. This morning I was late to an appointment because I could not leave until reading this and glad of it. And then re-read upon returning home. And will again. Thank you for what you do. Be well. 🌻
A literary opus, stark and brilliant.
It hits the consciousness like a blast to the face by the unforgiving heat from the sun that bakes our planet and which you’ve so fully described.
I have no words to add to this astounding piece except to congratulate you on your outstanding writing borne from what has culminated not only from this Camino journey but from the decades of watching our planet melt through human neglect.
I implore you to stay safe through the remainder of this arduous undertaking and thank you once again for everything you do to sound the carrion call. 🙏
A blast of hot air & sounds of mourning doves cooing is my wakeup call as I step into my morning in the desert carrying ice water for the bird baths and now even the lizards are waiting. It is already too warm to walk. 117 today. Silence is what I notice. On social media weather forecasters are posting click bait on what records we have now come close to, tied, surpassed and lengthened. Heat is a constant. Heat is a burden. Heat is a killer.
As you so aptly remind us, it is the disenfranchised and marginalized risk populations whose existence is on the line because of Climate Change. It is a comfort to me that someone across the world is worrying, writing and walking about this issue. Con apreciacion, Alex.
As Jackson wrote in the 70s: Oh, people look around you, the signs are everywhere. You have left it for somebody other than you to be the one who cares...... while your walls are burning and your towers are turning, I'm going to leave you here and try to get down to the sea somehow.
Although the reasons are many why Pilgrims walk The Camino, I feel we are all in our own way making our journey trying to get down to the sea somehow. So "walk slow, don't rush. The place you have to reach is yourself." It seems you are doing just that. Gracias por todo.
Thank you Sharon, Just minutes before I read this, I decided to walk to the sea. But I wouldn't have had enough time on my tight schedule that aimed for Santiago. So in the last hour, I decided that tomorrow, I will skip three days of walking to Leon (a route I had walked before) and go to Leon by taxi (to reach the first city) and train in the morning. I will then continue from Leon by foot to Santiago, where I hope to arrive around 30 or 31 July. At that point I will have those three more days to try to reach the "end of the world". I have no idea if this is at all possible but this is the latest plan, but plans keep changing. Your words were perfectly chosen.
Alex, thank you so very much for being there and sharing your experiences with we at home, some more safely than others. Please continue with care for your safety and keep us informed as you are doing. Your reports are cherished for accuracy and the beauty you are sharing along with the crisis unfolding.
Thank you very much. The sea is always a good destination. I look forward to your posts.
Sharon, our situation in SC not as urgent as yours at present . Our intermittent weather emergencies are tornados, flooding, etc. Heat oppressive but not as bad as the SW. So very sorry for those of you in the desert with life threatening heat now, your power grid and water at risk as well. Know that we are thinking of you, hoping for the survival of the precious species with no air conditioning. Giving birds ice water for survival brings tears to my eyes. We are in this together. Thinking of you always.😓
Awww....thank you Judith. We truly are all walking the same path. Your kind words are appreciated.
There's so much in this newsletter. Very well written. I think I'm gonna have to re-read it later. A lot of layers in there. I especially liked "Walking a different path on the same Camino" - beautifully said.
I'm relieved to see that you are taking time out for recovery!
Otherwise, I am envisioning your writings compiled together in a best-selling book.
🙏 🌻 🚶 💯 ☕ 🤗
Evelyne is so right; there is so much here, I must rest too, return and digest when able. This moment is not the right time for me. My days usually get better as the day moves toward evening, but this day may require regeneration as you have chosen. I will be back; this is an opus to be enjoyed repeatedly. Your words (gems) are so carefully selected and bloom more every day yet the message is painful for we who hope and believe change is possible if only the detractors would give up the petty infighting over things of little importance globally. “Weaponization”, how very absurd. To give attention and time to such idiocy while the planet burns 🔥 is self aggrandizing and futile entirely.
Later, my friend.....😓.
Yes. This. Your writing continues to flourish while our home continues to struggle. Your observations and precise retelling is what drew my attention to The Planet in the beginning, some years ago. As time goes on your narrative becomes more masterful. More compelling. You inspire a conviction to do better. This morning I was late to an appointment because I could not leave until reading this and glad of it. And then re-read upon returning home. And will again. Thank you for what you do. Be well. 🌻