Recent content by marktqm

Re: Camino Pilgrim from the Philipines there's also peskywabbit (bunny) and her brother vincent, both from manila. not sure if they are still active here, as they completed their camino from sarria to santiago in 2006/07. we had dinner at podium pre- and post-camino (theirs). and also yours...

Hi Fr Manny, I should visit your photo exhibit at Don Bosco. There are other Manila-based Pinoys in this forum, let's hope we can get them to visit too. Mark

The Portico de la Gloria is open always; it is at the cathedral's main entrance. The crypt under the altar is open everyday and the apostle can be hugged anytime, unless the authorities forbid it (H1N1 scare?). The Holy Door (not the Portico) at the back of the altar is opened only on Holy...

Mayon Volcano is far far away from where Fr Amado is (Davao), and from where I am (Manila). Wish I was there though! It happens every 10 years or so. It is a beautiful volcano. Sorry for the deviation from the topic. :-)

Hola Jean-Marc, So our "paths" have crossed once more! I do not really intend to do the Camino again, as I do not want to contribute to the overcrowding. (Didn't we discuss this when we met? Weren't you a repeat pilgrim then? :wink: ) I heard a few months afterwards that the flag is gone...

Wow, a mainstream film about the Camino. Millions of people will know more about the Camino, and guess what - we can expect a torrent of pilgrims in the next few years along the Road. Good or bad?

Hola Fr Amado, I walked the Camino Frances in April-May 2006. And yes, I'm Pinoy. And *could* be the fellow who had the Philippine flag being referred to by canuck(Jean-Marc) because there was sleet falling sideways when I was up there in Cruz de Ferro on 22May2006. I remember cursing in...

This just adds up to the weight of your pack. If you intend to eat in bars, no need for utensils. Water bottle (or Camelback) is essential though. It would be nice to have a 'waiter' Swiss knife for the wine and canned goods if you're buying from the tiendas along the way.

I was on the train from Hendaye to Bayonne, and Bayonne to SJPP on 28 April 2006. I bought my train ticket that morning in Hendaye. While it is true the end of April will have many walkers, our train to SJPP (consisting of two short rail cars) was barely 20% occupied.

Sil is right. If you are a member of CSJ, show your credencial to the consul. Mine had a first stamp from my parish church already. I also showed the confirmation email from the first hotel I'll be staying in (jet lag adjustment), and prepared a day to day itinerary along the camino (which...

I believe there is also a snorers' room in the Ave Fenix albergue in Villafranca del Bierzo, although I didn't sleep in that room. I tried using earplugs at one time but I'm not comfortable not hearing anything at all; what if there's a fire? Let's admit it: some overcrowded albergues are...

Here's my photo with that well-known sculpture, taken May 2006. Does he have a name? There're also sculptures of resting pilgrims in front of San Marcos in Leon, and in Monte do Gozo (looks like she's ready to prick her blisters). I know there's another at Mansilla de las Mulas, but are there...

And here's another pair of those scarecrows, near Palas del Rey, May 2006. The lady is carrying a shopping bag and the guy at the back is carrying a bottle. I wonder if they're still there...or have they made it to where they're supposed to go? ;-) Mark TQM

Does anybody know the name of the old man who welcomes pilgrims to Boadilla del Camino? He wears a name plate on his shirt but I regret not having taken his photo when I met him by the fountain where you turn the wheel and water comes out.

Nathanael, Doing it alone can do wonders for you, do not be afraid. You won't be alone on the road anyway. Walking the camino is both a solitary and community thing. You will find that out once you're there. Mark