Coincidence

[alansykes]

7 years ago, almost to the minute, I was sitting in this same bar in central Seville, listening to those same bells ringing for all the saints, and about to set off on my first camino.

Completely unaware it was as addictive as heroin. Why wasn't I warned?

 

[Tincatinker]

Go with all the gods Alan. New year, new camino, a new turn of the year.

 

[Kitsambler]

Why wasn't I warned?

Because we would rather you make this discovery on your own, so you don't blame us.

 

[nycwalking]

Completely unaware it was as addictive as heroin. Why wasn't I warned?[/QUOTE]

Thank goodness you chose camino as addiction. In case of camino recitivism: forewarned may not have been forearmed.
Buen camino: again, and again, times 10 to the nTH power.

 

[domigee]

Enjoy those precious memories and congratulations on the anniversary.

Three years ago.... Fb tonight out of the blue sent me a reminder, complete with photos. I had just reached Turkey. Seems like yesterday. Oh the longing....

 

[peregrina2000]

Ahhh, Alan, you have drunk the KoolAid and there is no escape. Buen camino.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Seven years ago.....that must be 2010. We had just returned to NZ after 15 months on the road with 8 kids and Grandpa. I was unsettled.
I spent time on the Boots-n-all forum, not too dissimilar to this one. Someone posted a folder of autumn pictures they had taken on the camino.
The rest is history.

 

[trecile]

I agree so much about the addiction factor. The other day my body was physically craving the Camino.

 

[JillGat]

While on a difficult section of the Camino a few weeks ago, somebody asked me, "Why in the world would you want to do this AGAIN?" I said, "wait till you get home."

 

[VNwalking]

Because misery loves company? I think you speak for most of us, Alan...ah, innocence.
Buen Camino!

 

[pelerine]

Me too! Seven years ago I went on my first camino celebrating my 70th birthday walking from my home on the North coast of Brittany along the coast to Irun and then on the Camino del Norte to Santiago and Finisterre - five months on the roads - and thought I had "done" Santiago. Three years later I walked the Primitivo from where it splits off the Norte near Villaviciosa which I had not dared to do on the previous occasion. And that was it - I am hooked and have been walking on one camino or another every year walking the Torres last June. Now doing the planning for 2018 and even 2019 - se Deus quiser.....

 

[pelerine]

PS..... and hooked now to this forum!

 

[alexwalker]

Completely unaware it was as addictive as heroin. Why wasn't I warned?

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...

 

[pelerine]

Very true!

 

[Mike Savage]

The best way to beat this addiction is just take it one step at a time . . .

 

[Dennis D]

A positive addiction for sure. Only 22 weeks and 3 days before I return.

 

[alexwalker]

7 years ago, almost to the minute, I was sitting in this same bar in central Seville, listening to those same bells ringing for all the saints, and about to set off on my first camino.

Completely unaware it was as addictive as heroin. Why wasn't I warned?

I spent Sept. 2017 on the CF, and promised to myself: Never again!!! Insanely crowded! My last Camino!

Now, it seems that April 4th 2018 seems like a good day to set out: Easter holiday finished, and the Way is there. So I'll go then. Where, I don't know. But then again; we are entering another winter season: A perfect time of year for planning my next Camino...

I never learn. Hooked. I need another fix.

 

[alexwalker]

@Mike Savage , my friend, and others: Since I quit this autumn (for several reasons; I also had to help a fellow Mexican pilgrim in dire need due to the earthquake over there) in Sahagun, I am reflecting upon walking from Madrid to Sahagun and continue from there.

Another alternative is to then take a train from Sahagun back east to Burgos, do a 4-day detour to Covarrubbias ; It is a beautiful, peaceful and easy walk, and I need to polish the guide that I wrote a bit; also revisiting friends and helpful people along that walk, and then start from Burgos and on to SdC: The Meseta is such a lovely place!

All this planning to do: Keeps the abstinence away!

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Buen camino Alan. Here's an idea. In 4 or 5 days you should be able to take a selfie of Alansykes walking through his own avatar!

 

[C clearly]

Buen camino Alan. Here's an idea. In 4 or 5 days you should be able to take a selfie of Alansykes walking through his own avatar!

Yes, I just noticed a few days ago that Alansyke's avatar is the same as the photo I have on my computer desktop! As you can see, there was a welcoming party as I approached.

 

[Karen Cap]

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...

The eagles. Haha! Love it!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Hello Alan,

Looking upon our Caminos as an addiction is quite valid. But could it be something greater, perhaps a love? Is Love an addiction? It is definitely more than a hobby.

In my dreamings, I consider becoming an hospitalero, a professional peregrina. Maybe create a home en España, become an Angel of the Camino. It would not be a bad way of living a life.

 

[alansykes]

Buen camino Alan. Here's an idea. In 4 or 5 days you should be able to take a selfie of Alansykes walking through his own avatar!

There you go, me with one foot in Andalusia and the other in Extremadura, taken by my new best friend Pepe of the Seville amigos a few days ago. He's been through this "border" 5 times and I've been three, and it's the first time either of us have seen it dry. Sadly, I didn't have Clare's welcoming committee.

 

[JohnMcM]

Me too! Seven years ago I went on my first camino celebrating my 70th birthday walking from my home on the North coast of Brittany along the coast to Irun and then on the Camino del Norte to Santiago and Finisterre - five months on the roads - and thought I had "done" Santiago. Three years later I walked the Primitivo from where it splits off the Norte near Villaviciosa which I had not dared to do on the previous occasion. And that was it - I am hooked and have been walking on one camino or another every year walking the Torres last June. Now doing the planning for 2018 and even 2019 - se Deus quiser.....

Pelerine,
I am sixty-six years old.
I thought I had found a way of describing 'hooked' to my friends.
So happy and relieved to read your post. We perhaps have an unknown Camino connection?
Buen (forever-more) Camino

 

[pelerine]

well, I am doing my best to pass on the addiction to the following generations. At least one of my daughters walked with me for a few days on every camino. Once my son came along as well and has now eagerly accepted the suggestion that he join the camino we are hatching for 2018: the Portuguese Senda Litoral with my three children and four of my seven grandchildren! Camino Olvidado in 2019, Camino Inglés and continuing on the Portugés interior against the flow to Porto in 2020. And the list is growing.....
All of this of course se Deus quiser! Thank you for the "forever more" buen camino! I return it with pleasure!

 

[shefollowsshells]

Seven years ago.....that must be 2010. We had just returned to NZ after 15 months on the road with 8 kids and Grandpa. I was unsettled.
I spent time on the Boots-n-all forum, not too dissimilar to this one. Someone posted a folder of autumn pictures they had taken on the camino.
The rest is history.

Kiwi, this brings back such memories of my Boots-n-all days...I was Mamoo
Almost ten years ago to the day, I posted this on that forum
It was Ann (Rest in Peace) who literally sparked our trip to Turkey way back then.
I posted at the end of 2009 my desire to take my kids on the Camino and just found the post, my little one was 7 months old when I posted that and was not even on my radar of taking, amazing how life changes.
and yes...the rest is History...Great times!
http://boards.bootsnall.com/the-cam...8.html?sid=cff3e1878e584d111e90013d4058b73e’’

 

[Peregrinopaul]

It's one of those places where you simply have to take a photo.
This from a few months ago, early morning (June).

 

[C clearly]

It's one of those places where you simply have to take a photo.

Yes, as I remember it, one comes around a curve and there it is! The perfect scene that made me laugh with pleasure to be walking in Spain.

 

[pelerine]

Yes, there it is and the only time I walked there it certainly was not dry!