I walked the
Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port to Sanitago de Compostela this year, from 24 April to 29 May. Perhaps I met some of you. If I did perhaps you would re-introduce yourself to me so we can re-connect. I met dozens of wonderful, interesting people form all over the world, and provided my contact information to several. However, there are many people who, in retrospect, I should have obtained contact information for - perfect hindsight.
During this, my first Camino, I had serious problems with my feet (infected heel calluses) that eventually required a minor operation in a podiatrist's office in Brugos. Unfortunately, accommodating my feet compelled me to use ALSA buses to "leap-frog a couple of bits of the Camino that I was unable to walk. So, I intend to return in April 2014 to do it again. I promised myself I would keep at it until I got it right. For me this means walking the entire distance.
My wife thinks I am being silly. But for me it is a matter of principle. Besides, I've become a "Camino Junkie." Part of me is on a perpetual Camino and I think of it every day. My life is now broken into two segments "Before Camino," and "After Camino." My wife is very understand and is rolling with this, even though she remains at home.
So, I am posting this for two reasons:
1. If you were on the Camino from 24 April to 29 May and remember me, please PM me and provide contact information if you would like to reconnect. My name is Tom. I am from Virginia in the U.S.
I wore a green/grey Osprey Talon 48 rucksack. When it rained I wore "Zippy" the full body condom - my name for the red Ferrino trekking raincoat I bought in St. Jean. I used two trekking poles and I also wore plain Vittel two water bottles clipped to my sternum harness.
If this does not make the connection perhaps my giving fleece gaitor hats to people who had none, or fixing broken trekking poles and rucksack straps, among other things might jog one's memory.
2. As I am getting ready to do this again, starting in mid-to-late April 2014 from St. Jean, I am reaching out to anyone who might be interested in forming a loose association or informal group. Everyone brings something special and unique to a group and to the shared experience of a Camino. Forming a "Camino Family" is something that one remembers for their lifetime. I am merely reaching out to form mine early...for the next Camino. Again, as above, please PM me on this forum and I will respond.
Thank heavens for this forum!
