First Camino from Victoria BC & Edmonton AB Canada

[msanb]

Hi,

Friends for 20 years since our sons attended St Augustine elementary school in Edmonton we are excited to be starting our first Camino from St Jean April 30th. Spending the winter in Victoria after retirement to train for this a life changing experience. Two months countdown and lots of second guessing equipment, physical and spiritual preparation I guess that is part of the process.

Just read I'm Off Then by Hape Kerkeling and did not find it the most uplifting book not sure if it is a healthy dose of reality or if my expectations are too high!!

Moe

 

[C clearly]

this a life changing experience.

if my expectations are too high!!

Probably they are! The Camino may or may not be a "life changing experience." For most of us, the changes are subtle. To the extent that I now have a favourite annual trip destination AND I have embraced walking for my health, it has changed my life, but I could still be happy and basically the same person without the Camino. There are several good reasons to walk the camino, so just do it without expectations of drama!.

 

[jirit]

Are you aware of the local Victoria chapter of the CCoP and their annual gathering March 25? Great opportunity to meet others that have or are about to head off and do the Camino

http://victoriacamino.ca/events/

 

[jsalt]

Just read I'm Off Then by Hape Kerkeling and did not find it the most uplifting book

Hi Moe, here’s wishing you a wonderful camino!

I have read lots of camino books and I can honestly say that “I’m Off Then” by Hape Kerkeling was the worst. He is a German celebrity who wrote a book about the camino and generally whinges and moans all the way along. He never stays in albergues, just criticises them. The albergues are (for me anyway) what the camino is all about – learning about other people, having joyous communal meals together which you’ve cooked yourselves, sharing your sorrows, being there for others when they need you. In my eyes Hans Peter Kerkeling missed the whole point of the camino. (Which is not to say that I’ve got it yet either, as I keep going back trying to find it .)
Jill

 

[The Austrian]

Hi Moe, here’s wishing you a wonderful camino!

I have read lots of camino books and I can honestly say that “I’m Off Then” by Hape Kerkeling was the worst. He is a German celebrity who wrote a book about the camino and generally whinges and moans all the way along. He never stays in albergues, just criticises them. The albergues are (for me anyway) what the camino is all about – learning about other people, having joyous communal meals together which you’ve cooked yourselves, sharing your sorrows, being there for others when they need you. In my eyes Hans Peter Kerkeling missed the whole point of the camino. (Which is not to say that I’ve got it yet either, as I keep going back trying to find it .)
Jill

Well then, tastes in reading and experiences are obviously highly subjective. HAPE Kerkeling's book was the only book I actually read, not just flicked through before hiking the Camino. His book is the single most sold non fiction book in the German speaking market in a long long time. Kerkeling is not only a fantastically humorous comedian and showman, he is a very gifted story teller as well. If I'd have anywhere near his talent and write a book, it would be titled "The Oddfellas", based on my personal impressions along the way. The Camino is a wonderful experience either way, but I find that too many guide books write about the Kumbaya and do not mention the not so brilliant side of things.
While I did have a truly wonderful walk in the sum of all things, I had equally many head scratching moments along the way. Contrary to your love of "Albergue life", I found many of them the most testing part of my journey.

 

[msanb]

Hi Moe, here’s wishing you a wonderful camino!

I have read lots of camino books and I can honestly say that “I’m Off Then” by Hape Kerkeling was the worst. He is a German celebrity who wrote a book about the camino and generally whinges and moans all the way along. He never stays in albergues, just criticises them. The albergues are (for me anyway) what the camino is all about – learning about other people, having joyous communal meals together which you’ve cooked yourselves, sharing your sorrows, being there for others when they need you. In my eyes Hans Peter Kerkeling missed the whole point of the camino. (Which is not to say that I’ve got it yet either, as I keep going back trying to find it .)
Jill

Thank you Jill loved your sense of humor and copied your lessons from Jill to share with Yvette, your list has practical advice and balances the joys and the sorrows!!

 

[msanb]

Are you aware of the local Victoria chapter of the CCoP and their annual gathering March 25? Great opportunity to meet others that have or are about to head off and do the Camino

http://victoriacamino.ca/events/

Yes, we attended Camino 101 in Sidney and have registered for the annual gathering, fantastic group of volunteers.

 

[msanb]

Probably they are! The Camino may or may not be a "life changing experience." For most of us, the changes are subtle. To the extent that I now have a favourite annual trip destination AND I have embraced walking for my health, it has changed my life, but I could still be happy and basically the same person without the Camino. There are several good reasons to walk the camino, so just do it without expectations of drama!.

Thank you, perhaps life affirming is a better expectation than life changing

 

[nycwalking]

It is what it is.
Buen camino.