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I agree with Nate Bissonette. When I was walking it was the compostella, which is framed in my bedroom. I had never done anything like this before and if I finished it was very important to have that validation. When I got home I framed it along with my credential, but after so many years...
I have depended on others to guide me all my life, and especially on the Camino since I didn’t speak Spanish, am directionally challenged and don’t even understand euros! In Triacastella my friend and I went to the mass, as usual, but for the first time an English woman was asked to read...
The simplicity of walking and no responsibilities except just that. Not to mention the joy of Spanish tortilla and coffee in the morning and wonderful Spanish wine at night
I’m jealous too! It’s been 14 years since my Camino and I think of it most every day. Definitely a pivotal point in my life and still on my bucket list to do again
Yes, you are young and strong, so ought not to be too difficult. I turned 55 on the third day of my Camino and hadn’t trained hardly at all! Of course, I did suffer from blisters daily from not wearing good shoes! So watch out for that!
This whole judgement thing concerns me. I walked every painful step in 2003, but am planning to go on a tour in 2017 with a friend. If I feel someone's judgement or if something like that was said to us I would be equally crushed and feel the need to explain myself. Why is that!? No one should...
In 2002 I had a French roommate. Her son came to visit and was planning to do the camino after reading Paulo Coelho's book "The Pilgrimage". (Also read Shirley Maclaine's). I had never heard of it and asked to borrow the book. After reading it I told my roommate I wanted to walk it and she...
Oddly, yes. It took me about two weeks, but then my mantra became "I am not a wimp!" That was a powerful feeling--something I wasn't used to in my every day life. However, the first two weeks definitely qualified as "misery".
You're lucky, hsabs, and the others of you who experienced the camino together with a spouse, because you each have someone you love to 'WITNESS' your experiences. I think what KSM may be feeling this loneliness of not having loved ones or someone at home who shares how much it meant to her...
Thanks so much for your detailed post! Since breaking up the longer stages, how long was your longest walk? I'm hoping to entice my sister to join me, but that one long trek is daunting! Also, how did you fair on the downhills? My knees can walk up all day, but downhill is another story.
Thank you, for your replies (and so quickly!) Yes, Tincatinker, I realize you are right about the Primativo. It's the Frances that gets all the hubbub and the one we hear the most about with all the "mystique" which is why I was wondering if the Ingles (and other routes) had their own specific...
I am assuming that the CF being the oldest/most traveled route is the only one with traditions and symbolic gestures. Are there any traditions specific to the Ingles or other route, for that matter?
I turned 55 three days into the camino and was kinda fit, but didn't really do any significant training before hand. My friend said "don't worry about it, we'll get fit on the way". We did, but it took about two weeks. I wouldn't recommend it!
My friend and I had another friend who so wanted to come with us that we promised to send her a postcard every day. When we got home she made a gift of them to me! I also treasure my credential, compostela and journal (which I reread often) plus I bought a blue commemorative tile with a yellow...
Eric 1985 says "He won't be back". I understand this! I felt the same when I first got home. So much pain on all levels!! (I had not trained). In fact, friends were surprised , because, apparently I bemoaned a lot of the experience at first and was just glad to be home. But after some time...
I haven't walked a second time, but it has been my dream ever since the first all those years ago. I planned to walk the Ingles in 2008 and started studying Spanish as it was said to be very difficult if one didn't speak it well.
The first time was such a sacred experience for me and it...
You ask, and make, the most soul searching questions!
Once upon a time when I was a long distance runner I read an article that was trying to explain the draw of that obsession. It was, something to the effect, that in our normal modern lives we don't have the opportunity to "go on a heros'...
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