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On my way to Rome, one day before I started to make my way up the Alpes, I lost my guide book. I had about 1000 km to go. But I learned to just follow the Via Francigena signs and I was always able to find a place to sleep. It was liberating to not rely on a book.
First pilgrimage at 26 years old, Netherlands to Rome, about 2000 km. I found it was loneley but still think it was the best one, because it was the most intence experiences of my life.
Second one was the Jacobsweg when I was 30/31 (birthday on the camino, yay!). Starting in Vienna, had to stop...
The day after entering Switzerland on the Via Francigena I walked in thick mist for hours. I could only see about 5 metres and only heard cow bells. I don't know what happend, but I started crying like a 5 year old and could not stop myself. The weather didn't help also, it had been raining non...
I just bought that backpack while traveling along the westcoast of the US and I'm very happy with it. I didn't go on long hikes or anything, but for traveling the pack is ideal. Easy to get your stuff, because of the zipper on the front. Very comfortable to carry around, I took 5 books with me...
I walked alone in 2013 at 26 years old, was bothered 2 times by a male stranger, but got myself out safely both times (walking poles are more usefull than you might think). That was on a lonely pilgrims trail in Italy.
Last year I started alone, through Austria, no problems at all there. And...
I walked this part end of september and there was a sign on the trail that said that the bridge was not there anymore. So I walked on the road. There was no snow and it was easy to walk, enough space for me and the trucks on the road. Train was never an option for me as I wanted to walk every...
This was awesome! Jupiter is such a great guy and the reference to Dixie and Darwin was great as well! And making fun of the crazy thing about not counting stuff as your base weight when you still have to carry it..too funny!
I guess I watch too many hiking related videos on youtube...but they...
I walked from the Netherlands to Rome in summertime, and what I noticed along the way is that the weather kind of 'walked with me' :) The temperatures stay the same, August in the Netherlands felt like oktober in Italy. And I wore in the same t-shirt (normal shirt bought at a second hand store...
When I went on my first pilgrimage, I asked my closest friends and family to send me a song that they liked the most so that I could take something from them all with me, without letting it "weigh" me down. When I would play a song on the way it helped me keep everyone I cared about close in...
Well, before I started my pilgrimage to Rome, I read the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Of course it's not about the camino, but it still might give a little bit perspective. It really helped me to know that there are more women hiking a big trail, being as (un)prepared as me. You will probably be...
They are serious hiking boots, that I also use for hiking in mountains with a large backpack. So for many people a bit much for a camino. But for me, the only shoes that do not give me blisters and are comfortable.
Meindl is a German brand, very durable and popular in Europe. They are not...
Finisterre was the best ending to a year of over 2200 km of walking trails and caminos. The day I walked on from Santiago de Compostela I started walking in the dark and ended when it got dark again about 60 km later. What a day that was! When I arrived in Finisterre the next day it really felt...
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