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colly2000 said:Hello, need a bit of help here, I have booked up to finish my Camino walk in July which I'm really excited about, however walking the first part up to Leon was very enjoyable I found it really hard doing without a meeting for so long. I have tried to find a meeting or two along the way maybe in Leon or Lugo and Santiago in the bigger places but cant find any. I really want to go however feel its to much of a risk to my sobriety to go for so long without a meeting.
Does any one one of any meetings from Leon to Santiago that are English speaking any tips would really be appreciated thanks alot
paul
Most of the posts show earlier dates but the message always remains the same........"One day at a time". (One Step At A Time)yes, one step at a time, thanks so much for the reminder, juju
I love your post......amazing that more don't identify themselves..
Meeting other recovering drunks is among my favorite pastimes.
Knew a lot of runners......maybe our kind isn't attracted to walking!
Whatever!
I am leaving SJPdP on April 25th. You?
I'd love to hear how your journeys went (are going?) Thanks in advance for sharing your experience, strength, and hope.I leave SJPdP on 1st May, no doubt our paths will cross on the journey, more will be revealed then...
Dear Alyssa,I'd love to hear how your journeys went (are going?) Thanks in advance for sharing your experience, strength, and hope.
I wore the universal symbol patch on my hat. Only one person approached me about it during my 43 days. I have a few extra patches if someone would like one. Just pm where I should mail it.
Gardengirl, I don't know how I missed this. Walked Camino Frances in Sept 2014 and probably passed each other out there. The trek was great and the Fanta Orange is a new favorite. Going again, but from Leon (time) on June 2.Any Friends of Bill W walking in September?? I would love to find a meetings along the Camino.
Taking it One Day and One Step at a time.
Thanks.....hope all goes well at Mayo !Brendon, I'm in MN getting my yearly physical. Will be home before the end of the month and will mail to you then. I just put a note and your address in my calendar so I don't forget.
Anne, you will do great. You get a lot of the same feelings with "fellow" Peregrinos as you do with the AA crowd.....you know.....kind of like an "our team" thing.So nice to read this thread. Im starting from SJPDP on April 23rd and was wondering about meetings. I knew there were no english speaking ones and I have accepted that I may not get any meeting for the 6 weeks that Im walking. Ive only ever walked for 2 weeks at a time and always with someone. This is the first time im going solo and Im hoping to get to Muxia. Ive never been 6 weeks without a meeting but the camino just keeps calling me and I know that this is me enjoying my sobriety.
I am leaving SJPdP on the 30th of April. Will be spending the night in SJPdP the 28th and 29th. If you are there before I leave would be nice to meet upI leave SJPdP on 1st May, no doubt our paths will cross on the journey, more will be revealed then...
Graham, thought you were leaving in May 2015. Would still like to meet anyone in the program walking the end of April first of May.I leave SJPdP on 1st May, no doubt our paths will cross on the journey, more will be revealed then...
Thanks Brendan, I do get the 'team' thing, I experienced that on my last camino so im not concerned about pressure to drink, and even though im going solo, Ill never be really alone anyway. Zumo de Naranja-Naturel sounds good!Anne, you will do great. You get a lot of the same feelings with "fellow" Peregrinos as you do with the AA crowd.....you know.....kind of like an "our team" thing.
Never felt pressure to drink.....lots of wine flowing but plenty of folks just doing water and soft drinks......personally, Zumo de Naranja-Naturel tops the list and Fanta Orange, a close second.
It really is " One step at a time", "One day at a time"!
Have a ball!
Be intersted to know how you go on?Graham, thought you were leaving in May 2015. Would still like to meet anyone in the program walking the end of April first of May.
Stephen
I have met some people in alanon that are going the same time. I have down loaded my devotional books to my pad so I can keep my morning routine going, my 18 year chip will hang from my pack with my shell and generally anyone I hang with will know I am in the program. I am not anonymous about who I am, don't preach it but feel safer if people know. Most people respect my decision. I am going to try and attend some meetings on the way if I find them. Don't know the language but I will know what is going on.Be intersted to know how you go on?
Thank you for responding and your insight. I had a good friend with the same amount of sobriety that went to Europe and decided to experiment some more. Of course he had stopped going meetings long before the trip. I am not in his position, but for the grace of God it could be me. I am trying to make sure I have all the insurance I can get. Thank you again, Buen Camino. StephenI'm in long-term recovery and I've had the pleasure of walking the Camino Frances (fall 2012), the Portuguese Camino (fall 2013) and the Le Puy route (fall 2014). I did not attend any meetings along the way, but as someone said in an earlier reply, the camino is as open, friendly, forthcoming as any meeting you could find along the way.
Something that has helped me as I walk the long distance by myself is having a confidential prayer list from family and friends back home. I take the time throughout the day and bring to mind a person and their prayer intention and I focus on that person and send positive, loving energy back to them. When the spirit moves me to begin with a new person, I bring that person to mind and begin praying for them and their prayer request.
This has saved me from some emotional imbalance as I navigate the route, my surroundings, myself etc. The Camino offers (for me) an incredible opportunity to be in prayer mode everyday, all day if I so choose.
I also bring spiritual e-books, audio books on my iPhone. I have a lot of different types of music and speaker tapes that have brought me great joy and contentment as I walk.
My hope is to walk the Arles route this fall. Before I leave, I will contact family and friends and once again as for their confidential prayer requests. It amazes me how honest and open everyone is who share their deepest desires with me. It is an honor and a privilege to carry their intentions with me.
Something miraculous takes place along the camino for me when I am in "pilgrim mode" -- prayer, reflection, meditation. For me, this is step 11 at its core.
I am so grateful for my sobriety, my family, my friends, my health and all the opportunities that I've had to walk the Camino.
I am blessed beyond measure -- who knew???
Time in the program is a blessing but we are all just one drink away from being back at the beginning. I have a friend in the program that says " if you got up before me today, you have more sobriety than I do !". It is always just " one day at a time". It all starts with and continuing to believe the first step, then getting a higher power you can walk with each day to show you all the gifts He wants in your life. The only limitation for me is the willingness to see what I am being given. I am glad I am an alcholic, if I wasn't I wouldn't know about this wonderful way to live life. Thank you again for reaching out.Such an interesting thread, sincerely
I did the camino twice last year, Yep, twice, what does that say!
I didn't have or feel the need to take a drink, quite easy to have a little romance about a beer after a day's walk but didn't, I'm nearly three years in without a wobble, and Stephen your 18yrs is a miracle, well we are all miracles! I met one other on the way, we can just tell can't why within the first five minutes!
Funny thing that always keeps me grounded is a concrete step one, to fully understand what it means, the acceptance came easily but investigating and appreciating the gravity of being powerless is so powerful. To be honest the thought of taking a drink literally terrifies me!
Anyway well done all our brothers and sisters that make the pilgrimage...
God Bless
BLU
I don't mean to imply that time in the program is not important, it is just not a guarantee against failure. I think we have to take each day as it comes and work the best we can to do the right thing for that day. The program and the people in it help me to learn how to live a good life without drugs and alcohol. It takes everyone in the program to make it work, there are days that I hear what I needed that day from someone who just came in. My higher power communicates to me through all the people around me if I am open to hear .I remember the day I quit and how I felt like it was yesterday and I get scared I will forget. I have friends with more time than me that have gone back out. I can't imagine "forever" but I can , with the help of God and the program, get through today. Tomorrow I will start again knowing that I can do it one day at a time.Stephen, I'm going to nit-pick a little on your words. I agree that time "in" the program may not be an advantage, but I do think that time "working" the program (as you obviously are doing) IS an advantage over newbies. It takes a certain amount of practice working the steps so that they can work for us. I too congratulate you on getting to 18+ years one day at a time.
Hello, need a bit of help here, I have booked up to finish my Camino walk in July which I'm really excited about, however walking the first part up to Leon was very enjoyable I found it really hard doing without a meeting for so long. I have tried to find a meeting or two along the way maybe in Leon or Lugo and Santiago in the bigger places but cant find any. I really want to go however feel its to much of a risk to my sobriety to go for so long without a meeting.
Does any one one of any meetings from Leon to Santiago that are English speaking any tips would really be appreciated thanks alot
paul
I am leaving SJPdP on the 30th of April. Will be spending the night in SJPdP the 28th and 29th. If you are there before I leave would be nice to meet up
Stephen
So nice to read this thread. Im starting from SJPDP on April 23rd and was wondering about meetings. I knew there were no english speaking ones and I have accepted that I may not get any meeting for the 6 weeks that Im walking. Ive only ever walked for 2 weeks at a time and always with someone. This is the first time im going solo and Im hoping to get to Muxia. Ive never been 6 weeks without a meeting but the camino just keeps calling me and I know that this is me enjoying my sobriety.
Hello Margrett Lynn, I arrive in SJPdP on the 28th and start on the 30th. Will go to Roncesvalles the first day. I will be behind you but maybe our paths will cross. I will have my last chip hanging from my backpack.Hi Anne, I spending my first night in St. Jean, April 26th. And second night in Orisson. I am the Canadian with two badges on her pack. The one looking for other friends of Bill W. I hope we meet up along the way. This is my first Camino. Buen Camino Margaret Lynn
Anne C, you will do fine. You are meeting people on the forum that are traveling the same time frame you are. If you have access to the internet with all the WiFi contact one of us to talk if you feel the need. Some of us will have Spanish phones, if you do get numbers. Just knowing there is someone I can contact makes a big difference to me. I let the people around me know I am in the program. I have gotten great support from strangers. Buen CaminoSo nice to read this thread. Im starting from SJPDP on April 23rd and was wondering about meetings. I knew there were no english speaking ones and I have accepted that I may not get any meeting for the 6 weeks that Im walking. Ive only ever walked for 2 weeks at a time and always with someone. This is the first time im going solo and Im hoping to get to Muxia. Ive never been 6 weeks without a meeting but the camino just keeps calling me and I know that this is me enjoying my sobriety.
Hi Anne, I have a sober friend,So nice to read this thread. Im starting from SJPDP on April 23rd and was wondering about meetings. I knew there were no english speaking ones and I have accepted that I may not get any meeting for the 6 weeks that Im walking. Ive only ever walked for 2 weeks at a time and always with someone. This is the first time im going solo and Im hoping to get to Muxia. Ive never been 6 weeks without a meeting but the camino just keeps calling me and I know that this is me enjoying my sobriety.
Hi Anne, I spending my first night in St. Jean, April 26th. And second night in Orisson. I am the Canadian with two badges on her pack. The one looking for other friends of Bill W. I hope we meet up along the way. This is my first Camino. Buen Camino Margaret LynnSo nice to read this thread. Im starting from SJPDP on April 23rd and was wondering about meetings. I knew there were no english speaking ones and I have accepted that I may not get any meeting for the 6 weeks that Im walking. Ive only ever walked for 2 weeks at a time and always with someone. This is the first time im going solo and Im hoping to get to Muxia. Ive never been 6 weeks without a meeting but the camino just keeps calling me and I know that this is me enjoying my sobriety.
Hi Margaret, I will be just 3 days ahead of you so we may meet up. I intend taking my time so you could catch me up. Even if we dont meet, its a comfort knowing there are other friends of Bill W on the Way.Hi Anne, I have a sober friend,
Hi Anne, I spending my first night in St. Jean, April 26th. And second night in Orisson. I am the Canadian with two badges on her pack. The one looking for other friends of Bill W. I hope we meet up along the way. This is my first Camino. Buen Camino Margaret Lynn
thanks Stephen, Im feeling better already, I think its probably just a little bit of jitters around travelling solo more than anything else that has been bothering me. Im a long time in the program but its still all in the day. And you are right, knowing there is someone I can contact does make a huge difference. Im really starting to get excited now. As my kids used to say when they were doing the countdown to Christmas.....32 more sleeps.! AnneAnne C, you will do fine. You are meeting people on the forum that are traveling the same time frame you are. If you have access to the internet with all the WiFi contact one of us to talk if you feel the need. Some of us will have Spanish phones, if you do get numbers. Just knowing there is someone I can contact makes a big difference to me. I let the people around me know I am in the program. I have gotten great support from strangers. Buen Camino
Stephen
In the first stages of planning this journey I started getting very nervous about my sobriety on the journey. I , too , have been in the program for a while and am very comfortable with who and what I am. I think it was my friend who had gone back out that had about the same amount of time as me that scared me . I don't know why I still get surprised when my higher power shows me what I need. I am so thankful for this thread and to learn of the many friends on this journey. Buen Camino. Stephenthanks Stephen, Im feeling better already, I think its probably just a little bit of jitters around travelling solo more than anything else that has been bothering me. Im a long time in the program but its still all in the day. And you are right, knowing there is someone I can contact does make a huge difference. Im really starting to get excited now. As my kids used to say when they were doing the countdown to Christmas.....32 more sleeps.! Anne
Great to see this thread flesh out !In the first stages of planning this journey I started getting very nervous about my sobriety on the journey. I , too , have been in the program for a while and am very comfortable with who and what I am. I think it was my friend who had gone back out that had about the same amount of time as me that scared me . I don't know why I still get surprised when my higher power shows me what I need. I am so thankful for this thread and to learn of the many friends on this journey. Buen Camino. Stephen
Buen Camino Brendan ! Thank you for being a part of all this. I " white knuckled" my first 4 1/2 years of not drinking and did not come into the program until my wife asked for a divorce. I thought that coming in would "fix" her. Dry is not sober ! We did not make it but I found a way of life that has been unbelievable for me. I know I have to do my part but the rewards have been beyond anything I could have imagined. My sobriety date started the day I can into the program, before then I was still "out" just not self medicating. I am never alone now, my friend is always with me if I do my part. Have a great journey, both on the Camino and in life. Thank you for being there.Great to see this thread flesh out !
Except for my first few months when I was still incredibly embarrassed by my "drinking weakness", I have never hidden my Sobriety.
Over time, I have come to realize that being in recovery, particularly as a member of AA, has been the most positive, useful assignment of my life. I have acquired life skills that I never knew existed......AA is really a program for living. I often wish everyone that I meet had all the AA tools.
Somebody mentioned that it is not about the amount of time that you have in the program. I couldn't agree more.....I celebrated my 29 th Anniversary on Mar 17....yup... St. Pats day and I can tell you. It is still "one day at a time" and "Keeping it Green".....never forgetting what it felt like the morning after.
I think of myself as a non-drinker but I don't kid myself.......29 years or 10 days, it doesn't matter, that nasty SOB is always lying for you just waiting for you to think that you are now on top!
Duh!
I did my first Camino last year and going again around June 1.......I was amazed at how perfectly AA and the Camino go together.
Buen Camino to all people, in and out of the program
Thanks, Stephen....very nice thought. I am sorry that the marriage didn't work but it is amazing what happens once we realize that all we have to work on is "ourselves"Buen Camino Brendan ! Thank you for being a part of all this. I " white knuckled" my first 4 1/2 years of not drinking and did not come into the program until my wife asked for a divorce. I thought that coming in would "fix" her. Dry is not sober ! We did not make it but I found a way of life that has been unbelievable for me. I know I have to do my part but the rewards have been beyond anything I could have imagined. My sobriety date started the day I can into the program, before then I was still "out" just not self medicating. I am never alone now, my friend is always with me if I do my part. Have a great journey, both on the Camino and in life. Thank you for being there.
Stephen
All went well and your patch is in the mail.Thanks.....hope all goes well at Mayo !
hi hope to see you along 'the way'. I am sending a photo of my backpack with my Friends of Bill W badge and my Canadian Flag. Buen CaminoGot it.....Thank you!
Will wear it proudly and hope we find a few more "recovering" Pilgrims out there!
I start Apr 30thhi hope to see you along 'the way'. I am sending a photo of my backpack with my Friends of Bill W badge and my Canadian Flag. Buen Camino
Have a great journey. I am about four days behind you.hi hope to see you along 'the way'. I am sending a photo of my backpack with my Friends of Bill W badge and my Canadian Flag. Buen Camino
I will me walking slowly and enjoying each moment " one day at a time".I start Apr 30th
Have a great journey. I am about four days behind you.
Anne, you will do great. You get a lot of the same feelings with "fellow" Peregrinos as you do with the AA crowd.....you know.....kind of like an "our team" thing.
Never felt pressure to drink.....lots of wine flowing but plenty of folks just doing water and soft drinks......personally, Zumo de Naranja-Naturel tops the list and Fanta Orange, a close second.
It really is " One step at a time", "One day at a time"!
Have a ball!
Hello there all friends of Bill W's. This is my first Camino and I'm spending my second night 27th April in Orisson. I'll be a slow walker too. I given myself 6 1/2 weeks. Sobriety time is 25 1/2 years. But it is only one day at a time. I'm in Paris right now and it seems everybody's drinking. I really need a meeting. Hope to connect with another friend of Bill W. soon on the Camino. Buen Camino. Margaret LynnThanks for all the posts...This is my 65 yr birthday present to myself and celebrating hopefully, God willing, 24 sober years in the Cathedral in Santiago July 3rd at the end of my journey....you guys already make me feel so much less alone. Longest time I've been hiking by "myself"
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biarritzdonToday at 3:35 AM
PerAndersson
Missing trekking poles in Portomarin
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ngest time I've been hiking by "myself"f
Hello Margaret Lynn, my name is Stephen. I will be starting the 30th from SJPdP and going to Roncesvalles the first day to meet up with a friend to start on the 1st. I have 18 1/2 years by the grace of God and want to continue one day at a time. I have a Spanish phone that I will be carrying, if you have a phone PM me and I will give you my number. It would be great to have another friend's number to talk with while on the journey. I think our Higher Power will take care of us if we let him. He wouldn't have us on this path if we weren't strong enough. Let me know if I can be of help.Hello there all friends of Bill W's. This is my first Camino and I'm spending my second night 27th April in Orisson. I'll be a slow walker too. I given myself 6 1/2 weeks. Sobriety time is 25 1/2 years. But it is only one day at a time. I'm in Paris right now and it seems everybody's drinking. I really need a meeting. Hope to connect with another friend of Bill W. soon on the Camino. Buen Camino. Margaret Lynn
Hi Stephen, good to hear from a fellow AA person. At the present I don't have a Spanish phone number. I plan to get a Sim card soon as I can on the Camino. Looks like I might be taking in a meeting here in Paris. It's only 23 minutes from where I'm staying so I'm going to try to work it in tomorrow afternoon. That would be exciting for me. Yes by the grace of God I wouldn't be here on the Camino. One day at a time, love the program I love the fellowship. Buen Camino Margaret LynnHello Margaret Lynn, my name is Stephen. I will be starting the 30th from SJPdP and going to Roncesvalles the first day to meet up with a friend to start on the 1st. I have 18 1/2 years by the grace of God and want to continue one day at a time. I have a Spanish phone that I will be carrying, if you have a phone PM me and I will give you my number. It would be great to have another friend's number to talk with while on the journey. I think our Higher Power will take care of us if we let him. He wouldn't have us on this path if we weren't strong enough. Let me know if I can be of help.
Stephen
Buen Camino, let me know if I can help.Hi Stephen, good to hear from a fellow AA person. At the present I don't have a Spanish phone number. I plan to get a Sim card soon as I can on the Camino. Looks like I might be taking in a meeting here in Paris. It's only 23 minutes from where I'm staying so I'm going to try to work it in tomorrow afternoon. That would be exciting for me. Yes by the grace of God I wouldn't be here on the Camino. One day at a time, love the program I love the fellowship. Buen Camino Margaret Lynn
This has been a great thread for me. I feel confident in my ability to stay sober without a meeting, but was concerned about options for other drinks. It seems that wine and beer flow freely and I have barely seen a second option. Now I can check this off my list of things to be sure of. Getting very excited about making this dream a reality and spending some time with my HP.
Buen Camino
I never understood why there is so much talk about it.
Much is posted here about wine....but that is just something that folks post about.
Rest assured that there are many more options. The Pilgrim Menu or Menu del Dia offers wine, a bottle of water or a soda. Ordering water is very common and does not raise an eyebrow. Remember...lots of people do not like or drink wine. Many people do not drink alcohol for medical reasons or religious reasons.
In every group...there will be those who choose to have a drink and many who have a soda, water or...the very excellent Aquarius.
I hope no one will leave for the camino worrying about any kind of peer pressure in this regard. It is just not there.
There is even a choice at the wine fountain: one wine tap, one water tapThank you! I wasn't concerned about the pressure. Just wanted to be certain of the options. When I saw there was even a wine fountain, I thought wow! That would have been a dream 25 years ago!
Agreed.I tried both recently and apart from the novelty value the water was the better option.
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