Episode 27 - Johnnie Walker's Santiago

[Dave]

Johnnie Walker is one of the most prominent names associated with the Camino de Santiago these days. Ever since moving to Santiago de Compostela, Johnnie has taken an active role in re-shaping the English-speaking pilgrim's experience in the city, and he has recently emerged as a prolific guidebook author as well. In this episode, Johnnie shares how he got started as a pilgrim, picked up his nom de plume, and his affection for the Camino Inglés. He's followed by our first return guest, Brian Bouldrey, whose new anthology, Inspired Journeys: Travel Writers in Search of the Muse, explores the concept of secular pilgrimage.

 

[C clearly]

I enjoyed that. Thanks!

 

[SYates]

Lovely to hear @JohnnieWalker 's voice again and to learn more about the Camino Chaplaincy! For those of you that are interest in its work, here a link: https://www.facebook.com/Caminochaplaincy/?fref=ts

Buen Camino, SY

 

[IngridF]

John, that was a great listen. Hope to see you again, when I return to Santiago in 2017, like a "bad penny" multiple times. Hugs

 

[nalod]

Just listened to this great interview, I meet him once very briefly he overhead me talking about the Camino Levante in Hotel San Martin Pinarrio. I was just on my way to the Airport would loved to have a proper chat with him.

 

[gittiharre]

Johnnie Walker is one of the most prominent names associated with the Camino de Santiago these days. Ever since moving to Santiago de Compostela, Johnnie has taken an active role in re-shaping the English-speaking pilgrim's experience in the city, and he has recently emerged as a prolific guidebook author as well. In this episode, Johnnie shares how he got started as a pilgrim, picked up his nom de plume, and his affection for the Camino Inglés. He's followed by our first return guest, Brian Bouldrey, whose new anthology, Inspired Journeys: Travel Writers in Search of the Muse, explores the concept of secular pilgrimage.

I loved listening to Johnnie. And his account of what it feels like to hit the trail is so akin to what I experience, namely the joy and excitement when I set foot on the trail, the gratitude that I can actually do this physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, that my family and work collegues support it and that if it came down to it I could survive with a 6 kg backpack, walk through beautiful nature and villages and meet good people...
His work reaching out to English speaking pilgrims is fantastic.

 

[CaroleH]

This is excellent and so very enjoyable, to hear John' voice and hear his summary and musings on the recent camino related activities in Santiago. Like Gitti and many, I'm sure, I also relate to John's thoughts on what it feels like to be on camino. Earlier this year, first day back on the VdlP, it felt like 'home'. The head cleared, the body breathed a huge sigh and I knew this was where I was meant to be.

This feeling is pretty powerful . . . and addictive.

 

[gittiharre]

Addictively happy making for sure.

 

[JamesGeier]

I was unaware of Johnnie Walker and after listening, I am humbled by what he has done for the English-speaking pilgrims. Thank-you, Johnnie. And thanks to the Camino Podcast...time for me to search for previous episodes.
--jim--