Basil Sylvester Pinto
A Niz Goenkar, who works for the betterment of his community, the State and country at large, Assagao’s Felly Gomes currently based in Spain, recently completed his third spiritual pilgrimage on The Way to Saint James popularly known as Camino de Santiago.
Coinciding with Saint James Day (July 25), Goa’s Felly Gomes undertook the cycling expedition on the path from Burgos to Leon in a span of three days, covering approx. 300 kms. In 2016, along with his Spanish wife, Beatriz Contreras, he had completed in Galicia from Sarrie to Santiago de Compostela, 100 km on foot in five days. Last year, by himself, he cycled through Castro Urdiales to Rebadeigoes, North along the coastal line of Asturias, a distance of 300 km with five days.
He has endeavoured along with his Spanish wife to act as ambassadors between India and Spain and strengthen their ties. Speaking to TG Life from Spain, Gomes states, “We have been functioning for the last five years from Assagao through an NGO called, ‘Live Happy.’ It has been our effort to create a child-centered sustainable village by front-lining heritage as the main identity. We have been doing a lot of heritage walks in Assagao where we invite locals and tourists alike to show the authenticity of our village. We want to show them the heart and soul of Goa residing in Assagao. We look at finding a waste management solution, taking care of underprivileged children and undertaking cleanliness drives,” he mentioned.“We have started a ‘Project Two Lives’ under ‘Live Happy’ NGO which is an interactive cultural platform bonding Spain and India. We have collaborated with universities, schools to promote online exchange between the students of these countries.Over here, we share yogic sciences through education programs in schools, colleges and universities. In that way, we market Goa by sharing it with the local people of Spain.”
“We would like to make a request to the State Government that since we are attracting sustainable tourism to Goa, they come forward and support the cause,” he appealed.
Talking of his cycling pilgrimage this year, from Burgos to Leon, he divulged that he specifically chose this path which is called Meseta (Spanish for “plateau”) which is one plain road. “Imagine you are cycling 300 odd kilometers where there are not many trees, under the hot sun and you still go along enjoying the pilgrimage. What is so enjoyable about this pilgrimage? The happiness is within. One reflects what is within and enjoys it. This is what the focus should be on the cycling pilgrimage. In our individual life, we get support from our family, our parents, children or spouse. In this, my support was a cycle which supported me throughout the journey,” he added.
Dwelling on the 15th century pilgrim route, he revealed that people from across the globe have been undertaking it for many years. Talking of one experience, he had this to narrate. “I was staying in an albergue (hostel) at Lyon called Sant Maria. There were 40 travelling pilgrims staying there. Our dormitory was in a large, clean hall with bunker beds. In the evening, we had a little function in the church. We all came from different countries and I was the only Indian among them. Apart from the spiritual path of course, there is a lot of fun and cultural involvement but more than that when you cycle for hundreds of kilometres, you are with yourself. There is a lot of self realization that happens.”
While pedaling along the Camino, among many other interesting people he came across, Gomes met a Lithuanian man who is etched in special memory. “This man around 52 years of age, and who cannot see properly is a physiotherapist who applies the holistic approach for mental illness. He has been coming here for the last 15 years and every year covers a different route. When I asked him why is he doing that he told me that it helps him to heal, reflect, and observe his life. More than that, he told me that he transforms the energy and channelizes it to others. It is the good energy that he finds on the way by meeting people, and a lot of spiritual experiences.”
“While the aim is not to reach the destination, but the Camino and reflect on your life through the path, there are other life lessons to be learned,” Gomes informed. He categorically stated that he wants people from Goa and India, to come out from their comfort zone and enjoy this amazing experience and be grateful to what life has to offer. “More than words, which is limited to share one can only actually experience it physically by coming for this pilgrimage, meeting people from different countries who share their own interesting stories,” he asserted.
