Finisterre to Vezelay?

[lynnmanning]

Hello to all! I am a 51 year old woman planning a solitary pilgrimage from Finisterre to Vezelay --walking from the coast of Spain to Santiago, then motoring to St. Jean and walking from St. Jean to Vezelay and the cathedral dedicated to Mary Magdalene. My intention is deeply personal, but can be characterized generally as a meditation on the Divine Feminine. I want to honor my own intention, but I also want to be respectful of others, and I wonder if my "backwards" journey would be in any way offensive to those on the way? I would love to hear the opinions of any and all. (I will not begin until the end of September, but I am leaving my home in the US on Sept. 7.) Thank you all very warmly in advance for your advice and feedback.
Sincerely,
Lynn Manning

 

[jl]

Hello Lynn, In 2005 I met a couple of pilgrims who were walking home from Santiago. In 2007 I met 1 or 2 people every few days who were walking home. Mind you they were walking home - having walked there from wherever they lived in France, Germany etc. In my observations no one took any notice other than to have a chat, if there was a common language, otherwise a nod and an "hola" as we passed. Cheers, Janet

 

[lynnmanning]

Thank you so much, Janet! I had thought that in the early days one would have to return home, so it can't be too horrible if I am sensitive and discreet. . .

 

[Paulus]

Lynn,

Get used and prepare yourself to the "habit" of people to send you in the wrong direction when you ask for the route ........ most people do not realise that you are walking "backwards"........ :mrgreen:
Good luck!

Paul

 

[lynnmanning]

That is one of my big concerns! I'm not a gifted navigator in the first place, and I've had the premonition that I may find myself in China instead of Vezelay!!! But I have never been one to let common sense and pragmatic concerns get in the way of experience. . .