Yesterday evening's chance encounter with Mariana and Joao is revisited at breakfast with an exploration of synchronicity, the main topic of their supper, often cynically and cruelly challenged by logic limited minds, determined to measure everything and dissect it in order to measure it better ... denying magic, they point out how all those moments when coincidences don't occur are rarely noted as "not synchronicity" ... a clever if bleak observation ... though their trap lies in the insight from quantum physics, that the observer and the observed are inseparable, suggesting that the observations of a limited mind are limited and disallowing mystery most likely to preclude possibilities of which we may otherwise only dream ...
Of course, delusion lies in all directions, in monochrome and madness, clear perception tricky ... nevertheless, recognising the conditioned mind, conscious and sub-conscious, at least enables some humility in the endeavour ...
Anyway, Mariana and Joao appear enthusiastic for the idea of crowdfunding a quinta and Albergue along the Camino ... acknowledging the need for local involvement (the Algarve already sold, they say, no longer Portuguese) ... whilst national identities still exist, Erasmus notwithstanding, sensitivities need to be addressed and the big idea is develop cooperative models of sustainable communities involving a truly international cast ... Joao's area of work in Lisbon turns out to be crowdfunding ... probably just a coincidence ....
Returning briefly to Stefan in Tavira, he name checked a neuroscientist called Gerald Huther, who proposes the power of emotion to cement neuronal connections and conscious development of the Compassionate Brain (also the title of one of his books in English) echoing similar research from Paul Gilbert, author of the Compassionate Mind, working with Tibetan Buddhist meditators at Samye Ling ....
As for the potential pilgrim Place to Be in Portugal, between Rubieas and Valenca right on the Way, is the Quinta Estrada Romana, currently for sale for €500k ... shouldn't be too hard to raise that through pilgrim networks ... imagine, a resting place in the parallel universe of the pilgrims, collectively owned by them ...
After all this early excitement, Mariana and Joao return to Lisbon and the exit route for tomorrow is researched ... and discovered after the kind of delays not enjoyed en route, especially if the morning brings rain, as predicted ... nearby a park alongside the Rio Mondego offers a sunny stroll and spot for writing ...
Loren (spelling to be confirmed) heads north, hopefully without arrow error ... internet enabled apps exist for such exigencies, apparently .. . since he reckons on 20 or 25km a day we are likely to meet again before Porto... though he is a professional forester, witty analogies with chainsaws are avoided ... the snoring was not that loud and anyway soon faded enough to allow sleep, perhaps also delayed by the long day sitting and the risky early evening complimentary coffee ...
On the food front, for geographical and not culinary reference, the large 24 hour Mcshite is right by the Camino marker post, whilst in a more touristic location in the old city on a winding path up to the ancient university (devoid of students at Easter), a quiet little restaurant promoting itself as serving Healthy Food, attracts attention, though avoiding corpses is still necessary, the definition of what constitutes healthy food open to interpretation ... in this case the name of the place and the Acai juice, a reputed super food from the Amazon, are the same ... the wrap with melted cheese, tomatoes, leaves is tasty and the conversation with Eduardo and Graca warm and informative ... including possibilities of a wet week ahead hmmm ... a trip to the Cathedral establishes location and that the doors are closed. .. Easter Sunday ... hmmm again ...though the nearby new cathedral is open for business ... and all buildings, ancient, modern, religious, secular are fair game for folks with opinions and cans of paint ...
Diogo arrives after his traditional Easter family lunch and his extensive Erasmus experience is discussed, especially his involvement in the Youth in Action programme ... maybe a piece of the jigsaw ... maybe a piece of another jigsaw altogether ... great to catch up and see more of his home town ... Tuesday he heads off to Switzerland for 3 months work to finance future travel plans ...
Back at the hostel the dorm is snore free ... early breakfast requested ... looking forward to being back on the Way, rain or not ...
Enjoy your north oriented going :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the afternoon!