Journey begins

[Dan Murphy]

Well this is it. Got the Camino de Santiago in my head in mid January and couldn't shake it out for some strange and wonderful reason. Travelling to Biarritz tomorrow then on to Lourdes for a day then back to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Sure I have knots in my stomach but that is normal at the beginning of any journey. Read plenty of posts on this forum and they have helped me with my planning; a big thanks so much to everybody. Now I look forward to long and wonderful walks through the country. Plenty of time to think and plenty of time to wonder and plenty of time to write. I have been given no better gift ......

 

[Albertagirl]

Well this is it. Got the Camino de Santiago in my head in mid January and couldn't shake it out for some strange and wonderful reason. Travelling to Biarritz tomorrow then on to Lourdes for a day then back to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Sure I have knots in my stomach but that is normal at the beginning of any journey. Read plenty of posts on this forum and they have helped me with my planning; a big thanks so much to everybody. Now I look forward to long and wonderful walks through the country. Plenty of time to think and plenty of time to wonder and plenty of time to write. I have been given no better gift ......

@Dan Murphy
It is strange. It is wonderful. And that is just the prelude that led to this beginning. Welcome to your camino. Let it teach you what you need to learn. Buen camino.

 

[NualaOC]

Beautiful post Dan, you're already experiencing the joy and wonder. Buen Camino.

 

[NicMen]

Buen Camino Dan! I will be following in your steps very shortly too! Doesn't all of this reignite that 'sense of wonder'!!!

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Buen Camino and welcome Dan!

The stomach knots are just a sign of expectant wonder...

Go Well and let us know how you're doing along the Way...

PS had to giggle at the synchronicity... just returned from buying some Spanish wine at our local wine merchants... Dan Murphys

PPS Just checked out your bio - I thought you wrote like a poet...

 

[David]

Excellent .. once the Camino gets into your head it just won't let go, nags and nags at you until you go - and there you are!!

Have a marvellous pilgrimage .. take your time, don't rush ... respond to it all as it happens, you are the moving centre that all will manifest around.

And .. let us know what you leave on the "no longer wanted" table at Roncesvalles

Buen Camino!!

 

[Terri B]

Best of luck Dan, I'm off on Sunday so I might see you alt the way!
Buen Camino

 

[domigee]

Buen camino, Dan

 

[purplesage]

Well this is it. Got the Camino de Santiago in my head in mid January and couldn't shake it out for some strange and wonderful reason. Travelling to Biarritz tomorrow then on to Lourdes for a day then back to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Sure I have knots in my stomach but that is normal at the beginning of any journey. Read plenty of posts on this forum and they have helped me with my planning; a big thanks so much to everybody. Now I look forward to long and wonderful walks through the country. Plenty of time to think and plenty of time to wonder and plenty of time to write. I have been given no better gift ......

Well done, Dan the Man !! . You're going to have fun. Please say a prayer for me when you are at Our Mother's Grotto. Buen Camino. May the Holy Spirit be your guide. Caesar

 

[purplesage]

Excellent .. once the Camino gets into your head it just won't let go, nags and nags at you until you go - and there you are!!

Have a marvellous pilgrimage .. take your time, don't rush ... respond to it all as it happens, you are the moving centre that all will manifest around.

And .. let us know what you leave on the "no longer wanted" table at Roncesvalles

Buen Camino!!

David. Agree with all you've said. I'll throw in my two cents and say that the Camino Call is one you cannot say NO to. As in, no one just GOES on a Camino. I believe there is a CALL. BTW what's the "no longer wanted" table at Roncesvalles?? I don't remember being at one when I was there. Did I miss something ? Buen Camino, Caesar

 

[Angie94]

Excellent .. once the Camino gets into your head it just won't let go, nags and nags at you until you go - and there you are!!

Have a marvellous pilgrimage .. take your time, don't rush ... respond to it all as it happens, you are the moving centre that all will manifest around.

And .. let us know what you leave on the "no longer wanted" table at Roncesvalles

Buen Camino!!

That is exactly what happened to me ~ it nagged and nagged until I went!

I didn't leave anything at Roncevalles...couldn't quit part with anything at that point but after I was done with the Pyrenees I came upon a town and there was a bench next to a vending area and I left a bag full of some rather "good stuff" for someone (as it was too useful to just throw in the trash) Hopefully someone found and bag and put those things to use...or maybe they just threw it away! who knows...but I do know I was cussing up a bit as I 'reduced' that pack weight. Mainly cussing at myself for not doing it BEFORE I started walking and I carried that "stuff" all the through the mountains only to leave it on a bench. Too bad I just didn't listen to everyone on the forum in the first place.

 

[Albertagirl]

That is exactly what happened to me ~ it nagged and nagged until I went!

I didn't leave anything at Roncevalles...couldn't quit part with anything at that point but after I was done with the Pyrenees I came upon a town and there was a bench next to a vending area and I left a bag full of some rather "good stuff" for someone (as it was too useful to just throw in the trash) Hopefully someone found and bag and put those things to use...or maybe they just threw it away! who knows...but I do know I was cussing up a bit as I 'reduced' that pack weight. Mainly cussing at myself for not doing it BEFORE I started walking and I carried that "stuff" all the through the mountains only to leave it on a bench. Too bad I just didn't listen to everyone on the forum in the first place.

@Angie94
I left a pair of flipflops on the donated items bench at Roncesvalles, but that is what I brought them for. I booked a bed at Corazon Puro the night before I began my camino and the night after I stayed at Roncesvalles. For only two nights between, I was able to leave at Corazon Puro a lot of things (and weight) that I did not want to carry over the Pyrenees. For footwear that was not my hiking boots, I brought a pair of very lightweight flipflops, wore them at Orisson and Roncesvalles, then left them on the free gear table at Roncesvalles and was reunited with the rest of my gear that night at Corazon Puro (11 km. from Roncesvalles). This worked really well for me: not too much to carry nor too far to walk at first.

 

[David]

David. Agree with all you've said. I'll throw in my two cents and say that the Camino Call is one you cannot say NO to. As in, no one just GOES on a Camino. I believe there is a CALL. BTW what's the "no longer wanted" table at Roncesvalles?? I don't remember being at one when I was there. Did I miss something ? Buen Camino, Caesar

Hi purplesage - in Roncesvalles if you turn away from reception and walk towards the cafe area (not a cafe, but has machines and tables) on the right you will see two tables .. loaded with gear that pilgrims have abandoned - some nice stuff there too!!

 

[purplesage]

Hi purplesage - in Roncesvalles if you turn away from reception and walk towards the cafe area (not a cafe, but has machines and tables) on the right you will see two tables .. loaded with gear that pilgrims have abandoned - some nice stuff there too!!

David WOW.... a goldmine you mean , PILGRIM stuff. Oh man. Thank you brother David, Buen Camino , Caesar

 

[purplesage]

That is exactly what happened to me ~ it nagged and nagged until I went!

I didn't leave anything at Roncevalles...couldn't quit part with anything at that point but after I was done with the Pyrenees I came upon a town and there was a bench next to a vending area and I left a bag full of some rather "good stuff" for someone (as it was too useful to just throw in the trash) Hopefully someone found and bag and put those things to use...or maybe they just threw it away! who knows...but I do know I was cussing up a bit as I 'reduced' that pack weight. Mainly cussing at myself for not doing it BEFORE I started walking and I carried that "stuff" all the through the mountains only to leave it on a bench. Too bad I just didn't listen to everyone on the forum in the first place.

WOW... Angie... long time no see !!! Hope you had a great, just great Camino. Am exploring India now its blazing HOT in New Delhi, where I am. But there's The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, just 10 mins from my door step. Its beautiful there. And, coincidentally, a good friend of mine is the Parish Priest now !!! Stay well, Camino Sister and Buen Camino, Caesar

 

[ChloeRose]

Buen Camino! You'll meet a ton of amazing people and experience a million new things. I'm envious of your first time It might seem difficult from afar, but it won't feel that way while you're adventuring. Good luck!