By Bhaktimarga Swami
At 3:45 a.m., just when the party mode was beginning to subside, a guitarist moved his strings, and with his vocals-outside our window-started to sing, “How does it feel to be on your own, like a rolling stone…” This Bob Dylan classic threw me back to the sixties, but probably it was also a message that roommate, Yadunandan Swami, and I were to start activating our mission for the day and become rolling stones.
Julan Yatra from Tenerife was also to join us on an early attack on the trail, a branch of the famous Santiago Camino that runs through Madrid. We convened and the air was good, and people were good (sort of); some were high or a bit tipsy from drinking.
Party goers chanted simply upon seeing the three of us, however, a trio of Friday night enthusiasts two gals and a guy took us more seriously. They looked over our mantra card with serious interest. We were on the first break, standing, and then sitting under an amber street light.
Incidentally, to follow the Camino’s route, you have to keep your eye on the gold-painted arrow. It led us to a cemetery and the very precincts of the city. That was good enough. Thirteen kilometres accomplished. We had to return to our temple for a scheduled talk on “Tales from Trails” to be held in a cave-like temple. By the way, the restaurant here is well visited and increases in attendance in the winter.
May the Source be with you!
Comments