Dave's in France!: Finding my Way in Spain and Paris...

I I went for a Mt bike ride this morning in the forest of the National Park surrounding Fontainebleau. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the white-over-red symbol of the Camino (typical for France, yellow arrows in Spain) on the trail I was on; that for the third time in my week and a half vacation, I had come across the Camino four times; three of them totally unexpected! In San Sebastián, Bourges France and now in Fontainebleau. It almost seems like there is some kind of message for me that I am still on my Way, discovering my path. It was so appropriate that I got lost mid-way when it started raining on me very much like my experience on the Camino last year. A bit strange that I picked up a new scallop shell in the Camino pilgrim office in St Jean Pied du Port and had it tied to my pack as I rode this morning.

I got so comfortable seeing the markers along the Way that it almost didn't matter where I was going knowing that others had passed this way before and had marked the route. Somehow, this trip last year was a self-discovery and so physically and emotionally challenging, that you just learn to let go of outcomes and learn to trust that you will find your way. It's such a metaphor for life, that the parallels are part of the experience. Learning to let go, learning to trust others (except guys named Rob) that went before you, learning to have confidence in yourself and your abilities.

I am in Paris and staying at my favorite place Le Singulier. I met Olivier and Kristin this afternoon. For a couple hours near Norte Damme and did a bit of photography. I am having dinner tonight at Willi's wine bar; another favorite.

Map showing the various routes of Camino in France mostly feeding into St Jean Pied du Port right at the Spain boarder. It's known as Chemin du St Jacques in France or The Way of St James.