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I absolutely love David Whyte, and the Camino. So the mix of the two is balm to the heart, mind, and spirit. Thank you for sharing this @vwzoo.
...and the road still stretching on.
1. After
2. To stay connected to my Camino experience through the experiences of others. And also to occasionally provide some feedback or input. Initially it was to find another pilgrim I had met early in my Camino and lost touch with. (I found him!)
3. 7 years. Like you, mostly as a lurker.
4...
I think an even more important distinction is to not claim that one is superior or better than the other. Yes, there are differences on what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. But what's important is THAT they do it.
I love this @JustJack! And I love that you referenced it in relation to the Cruz de Ferro. I was actually "given" this message on my trek up to the cruz. I was walking with the question of how to live with my heart open. Out of the blue I heard: Let go of expectation, attachment and fear. Whoa...
I noticed that Ivar has just added a new rule for the forum to address this. No more discussions about whether people on the camino are a "tourist" vs. a "pilgrim"
Others' judgement has more to do with them than with you. Do the Camino your way. That was one of my biggest lessons when I did it...
Do stay for the communal meal at Orisson! I met the people who have become lifelong friends there. Seven years later we're still looking for reunion opportunities.
You are in inspiration! I have wanted to live in either Italy or Spain for most of my life, but as I've gotten older it feels more daunting to do it by myself. You inspire me to "just do it!"
I had planned to walk to O Cebreiro, but the woman I was walking with has scoliosis and didn't think she'd be able to make it on foot, so I decided to ride up with her last minute. It was thoroughly enjoyable! It's a very slow, leisurely walk with the horses nose to tail. Victor held the horses...
No matter how much you read, or how many videos/pictures you see, there is absolutely nothing that can replace the experience itself. So, IMHO, the oversaturation wouldn't affect my experience at all.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a place to stay if you'll be staying in SJPdP for a week or more? I'm thinking of voluteering at the pilgrim office next year and I believe I will need to make my own accommodations. Not sure if any of the places mentioned here allow longer stays or if they...
I wish I'd read this post before I walked in 2016. I didn't take a blanket or sleeping bag and there were a couple times when I regretted it.
In addition to what's already been posted, another thing to note is that if you do decide to wing it and use albergue blankets, be sure to ask for one...
I've been told it has everything to do with the water. Unfortunately, not much we can do about that. Still, I am a cafe con leche, cafe latte, cappuccino (call it what you like) devotee and love using Italian Illy coffee and steamed milk. Closest I can come.
Hi @Kcorbharas!
I was 60 when I walked the Camino Frances solo. The wonderful thing about doing it solo was that I could easily choose when I wanted to be with others (that was NEVER a problem) and when I wanted to walk alone and be fully with myself.
I made some wonderful lifelong friends on...
Although it doesn't fully answer the question, I think it's important to distinguish between religious and spiritual. I know the Camino was originally a Catholic ritual. I'm not Catholic and not religious, but would consider myself spiritual. Had none of the churches, rituals, or other religious...
Ah, if only it were confined to the patio area of albergues @AnneMarie1! I'm afraid they are going to be fairly ubiquitious on your next Camino. Just like in the States, you're just as likely to see a table full of people each on their own smart device rather than sharing each others' company...
Favorite meals:
Paella and sangria in Santiago
Amazing tapas (pintxos) and rioja in Pamplona
gazpacho and huge white asparagus (anywhere I could get it!)
I was surprised (and so very pleased!) when one night I stayed alone in an albergue in a small village, no other pilgrims arrived. And when the hospitaliera left for the night I was completely alone. I had no TV, no internet, no book. Made no phone calls or texts to friends. There was nothing to...
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