Ten years ago today

[Gailsie]

I can't believe it has been 10 years since I put my first food forward in Roncesvalles on the Camino Frances. I had just turned 60, retired from a desk job, with very little hiking experience and set off on the most profound journey of my life. I wondered many times in the first few days if I could complete the journey and why I had done this to myself. But I needed to get my self-esteem back and deal with one of my younger sister's death from breast cancer. So onward I trudged, some days not walking very far and often needing a hotel at the end of the day because I needed the peace and quiet. I took the bus a couple of times and the train once when needed but I felt like I had conquered the world when I got to Santiago. The camino has given me a new lease on life and made a huge impact on me personally. Many thanks to those who post on this forum, I read it before leaving and thankfully took many hints from what pilgrims had written. I still read the forum everyday to remind myself of the journey and I love to see photos of places that I have been.

 

[Portia1]

We were on the CF at the same time! I started September 8, 2009. Be back the end of this week.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

I retired at the end of 2014. My wife and I walked the Camino Frances in Sept-Oct 2017 and despite my wife's severe knee pain, we made it to Santiago. It was a nice life transition into retirement and a wonderful, fulfilling experience for both of us. We traded in her Vasque hard boots for Soloman trail running shoes and walked it again in 2017 with my brother and his wife. We fly out of Indianapolis one week from today for our third CF. No one warned us how addicting the camino can become ! Bob

 

[VNwalking]

No one warned us how addicting the camino can become

Yeah.
That first credencial needs to come with a disclaimer.

 

[MarkyD]

I can't believe it has been 10 years since I put my first food forward in Roncesvalles on the Camino Frances. I had just turned 60, retired from a desk job, with very little hiking experience and set off on the most profound journey of my life. I wondered many times in the first few days if I could complete the journey and why I had done this to myself. But I needed to get my self-esteem back and deal with one of my younger sister's death from breast cancer. So onward I trudged, some days not walking very far and often needing a hotel at the end of the day because I needed the peace and quiet. I took the bus a couple of times and the train once when needed but I felt like I had conquered the world when I got to Santiago. The camino has given me a new lease on life and made a huge impact on me personally. Many thanks to those who post on this forum, I read it before leaving and thankfully took many hints from what pilgrims had written. I still read the forum everyday to remind myself of the journey and I love to see photos of places that I have been.

That's a beautiful post Gailsie For me it has only been just over a year, but I have a similar feeling. I recently got back home (in Madrid) after a stint working as a volunteer at an albergue on the CF in Castrojeriz. Even staying in one place on the Camino it's amazing how it still works its magic on you in some unexpected ways.

 

[Priscilla NC]

Thanks for posting this, Gailsie. You persevered through a lot. I tend to get caught up in my own deadlines and expectations -- I'm wondering how I would have handled the challenges you faced. My first Camino was almost picture-perfect. I sailed through it on my timelines, but I think I missed the gifts that challenges can bring.

On my second I did face challenges -- physical, mental, spiritual. And I feel like I didn't handle them well. But what a learning experience that is still growing in me!