A Visit With Ina in Munich

Ina and Dani in Munich

Ina and I met outside the Munich Hauptbahnhof on the Sunday after Christmas and I couldn't wait to see her again. As soon as we saw each other we embraced. She looked as radiant and angelic as ever, and I couldn't wait to catch up.

We walked inside a small cafe then hesitated. There were no patrons inside, usually a bad sign, but then the man working in the corner spoke up. "We're closed today," he said. "But you're welcome to sit if you'd like. I can serve you some coffee, but I haven't anything else today." We looked at each other and nodded. "Yes, we'd like that," one of us said. We engaged in a short conversation with the man who turned out to be the cafe owner. He was a jolly fellow who spoke more English than German, but I couldn't quite place his accent. I recall little of what the cafe looked like inside, but we were pleased we had it all to ourselves, and the owner didn't seem to mind. We spent the afternoon chatting over the coffee and cookies he gave us.

Ina shared about her experience leaving the Camino––she had returned to Germany shortly after passing through Burgos. It was a difficult and very sad experience for her––she was genuinely broken hearted about having to leave the Camino and her friends to return to her job after just two weeks. But shortly after she returned to work, the gifts of the Camino continued. If there was anything Ina had learned along the Way it was that when you find your bliss, you must find the courage to follow it; she could not turn her back on what her heart wanted any longer. Without knowing how she was going to earn a living, Ina found the courage to quit her job. "I had to trust it would work out," Ina said.

It wasn't long after Ina had taken her leap of faith that it had paid off. In fact, it was the very reason she was in Munich on this particular day––she was there to sign papers for her new job as a graphic designer. She seemed genuinely thrilled and contented, but admitted that not everyone in her life was as supportive of her decision as she had hoped. But, she seemed to trust that this too would change in time and eventually they would understand. "Not everyone has the courage to follow their bliss," I told her. "Self-awareness and self-reflection are scary prospects for some. Perhaps, checking the boxes of life and just doing what society and families expect are enough for some people. For others––for those who seek––those who walk the Camino––checking the boxes of life just isn't enough. I'm proud of you. You've chosen to follow your heart."

Hours passed with ease and when the shadows grew long, it was time for us to go––Ina to sign papers for her new job and I was off to Heidelberg. We walked back to the train station, said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways, just as we had six months ago. I was sad to let her go again. I boarded the train but couldn't help but think about her. I really do love her and am positive that if we lived close to one another we would see each other often––we're both artists who march to a similar drum and when we're together it's as if we'd never been apart. We understand each other without really having to talk, and just like the movie "The Way," we both agree, 'You don't choose a life, you live one.' No matter what our lives end up looking like in the end, there is no doubt that neither of us will ever have any regrets.

Gregor, Aleix, and Ina

Aleix and Ina