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Absolutely yes. That’s not just my feeling but after my first Camino in 2012 my sister remarked on the difference in me, something profound enough that she embarked on her own Camino. Every time I return to walk I discover (and rediscover) the lessons the Camino has given me. Simplicity is the...
In my experience the Camino always provides, however you need to say “yes” and trust that it will be good. Too often, when we’re in need of something, we turn it away when it’s presented to us, not recognizing it as the gift/answer form the Camino.
I volunteer with All Hands and Hearts and they have two programs going on in Europe at the moment, one in Poland helping house Ukrainian refugees and one in Turkey helping victims of the earthquakes. A well run organization and a great way to help those who truly are in need of assistance...
How differently time moves on the Camino. A day feels like a week and a week is a month. For nothing really happening all day (walk walk walk) its amazing how much does happen and how overflowingly full every day feels.
Unfulfilled expectations can be the death of a great Camino experience. When people ask me my favorite albergue/restaurant/ route because they want to experience it as I did I tell them the same thing-you’ll find your own special places and experiences. Overplanning, over reading and viewing...
There’s nothing worse than finding that your rain gear (poncho/pack cover) wasn’t up to the task of keeping the contents of your pack dry. I use a trash compactor bag (perfect size, less likely to tear than a regular trash bag) to hold all my belongings inside my pack. It only took one...
I’m grateful for food in the fridge, a roof over my head, medical knowledge that is treating my cancer (only one more chemo session! Woohoo!) and the fact that I’ve been able to walk several Camino’s and meet such amazing people
I’ve kind of come to dislike that saying simply because it infers that pilgrims can do whatever they want without regard to others around them. To me it sort of promotes an ‘all about me’ mentality which I find to be the antithesis of the Camino
I’d skip the meeting up, especially at Sarria. By then you’re going to be in your own little world with your own new friends and it will be really awkward for your wife to assimilate. This past September I walked the French route again and in Santiago met up with a Camino friend who had just...
I’ve walked several Camino's now and this past September was back on the Frances for the third time. It’s still by far my favorite and I know now it’s because of its length and the people I meet. It had been six years since I last walked it and some beautiful memories came back but I was busy...
Excellent stories! Mine lets me share the hospitality also found among the Portuguese. After two Caminos on the Frances I decided to strike out on my own along the Portuguese beginning in Porto, April 29 2016. I was a couple days in when I came to Esposende. I slowly walked through town...
I was lucky to work with his World Central Kitchen in Bahamas a year ago. An amazing organization and an amazing man with no goal but to alleviate hunger and care for those in a disaster situation. The fact that he’s walking a Camino is no surprise
I’ve always liked the idea of trusting that you’ll find a bed rather than relying on a reservation. It’s what makes the Camino different from daily life at home. Sadly, as more people rely on reservations, it seems we’re bringing our home life to the Camino rather than the other way around.
I don’t think this was mentioned but PLEASE don’t take a roll of toilet paper from the albergue you stay at. I’ve seen women do this because ‘I may need it and they have plenty there’. Stop at a tienda and buy some
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