Ultreya

Ultreya.

It is a Spanish word, translating more or less to Forward.  As in, keep moving forward.  Pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago de Campostella are rumored to say this in encouragement to other pilgrims.  This is a sweet practice, along with saying Buen Camino to those who you pass along the way.  I am excited to hear these words for the first time along the trail, spoken by others who have heard the calling.

But as quaint as these phrases are for a pilgrimage, they are also good phrases to use for friends and family, and also strangers along the path of our everyday lives.  When you see someone who is tired, who is bent from the burden of miles and years and loss, remind them to keep moving forward, and give them the blessing of a good path.  And maybe a smile.

Ultreya, my friends.



Why do I deal with the dry dust in my mouth, 
the mud on my aching feet, 
the lashing rain and the glaring sun on my skin? 
Because of the beautiful towns? 
Because of the churches? 
Because of the food? 
Because of the wine? 
No. Because I was summoned
                                      poem written in German and discovered by Hape Kerkeling
                                      during his camino journey