Hi All (just an introduction)

[Cowman456]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Samir. I will be be walking the Camino Frances starting April 11th from Pamplona. I am meeting my dad in Sarria around May 9th, and then walking the last 100 miles with him. I can't wait. I'm not a spiritual person, but this will be an incredible journey. I look forward to talking/meeting with you all.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi, Cowman, and a warm welcome to the Forum Where are you from?

My son walked with me on Camino, twice. So, as a father I can tell you that this will be a very special trip for your father, and a great bonding experience for you both. Below is something that I have posted several times for new comers. Let me know if I or any of us can be of help as you plan your journey.
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American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) has a nice FAQs about a pilgrimage on a Camino which may give you some additional help.

The good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:

1. Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, if anxieties and fears threaten to overwhelm you as you plan, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
2. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
3. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
4. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
5. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
6. Remember that perfect timing as it relates to how you feel, scheduling, and day to day life issues, seldom align themselves perfectly. If one waits for such to occur, doing something like a pilgrimage will always be in danger of taking a back seat while you wait for that perfect alignment to happen.

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[Cowman456]

Hi, Cowman, and a warm welcome to the Forum Where are you from?

My son walked with me on Camino, twice. So, as a father I can tell you that this will be a very special trip for your father, and a great bonding experience for you both. Below is something that I have posted several times for new comers. Let me know if I or any of us can be of help as you plan your journey.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) has a nice FAQs about a pilgrimage on a Camino which may give you some additional help.

The good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:

1. Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, if anxieties and fears threaten to overwhelm you as you plan, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
2. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
3. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
4. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
5. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
6. Remember that perfect timing as it relates to how you feel, scheduling, and day to day life issues, seldom align themselves perfectly. If one waits for such to occur, doing something like a pilgrimage will always be in danger of taking a back seat while you wait for that perfect alignment to happen.

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Thank You Dave! I'm from Los Angeles. I have a one way flight to Madrid. Then things get interesting!! I genuinely appreciate your tips. I think that walking with my dad will be an experience that I will never be able to replicate. (He's 80 years old so it's now or never). My buddy did it last year and will be meeting me at some point. - Samir

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Thank You Dave! I'm from Los Angeles. I have a one way flight to Madrid. Then things get interesting!! I genuinely appreciate your tips. I think that walking with my dad will be an experience that I will never be able to replicate. (He's 80 years old so it's now or never). My buddy did it last year and will be meeting me at some point. - Samir

If it ever becomes too much walking for your dad at any given point during the day, you can always call a taxi or have your dad ride a bus to your destination for that evening, and meet there.

 

[Cowman456]

If it ever becomes too much walking for your dad at any given point during the day, you can always call a taxi or have your dad ride a bus to your destination for that evening, and meet there.

Thanks! My dad is pretty hard headed. LOL. But I will be taking it really easy when I meet him and just make sure that he is happy. If I sense that he is having any problems, we will call it a night and chill out with a bottle of wine.

 

[Cowman456]

Thanks! My dad is pretty hard headed. LOL. But I will be taking it really easy when I meet him and just make sure that he is happy. If I sense that he is having any problems, we will call it a night and chill out with a bottle of wine.

PS. - my dad has climbed MT. Kilimanjaro. So he is in much better shape than me!!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

PS. - my dad has climbed MT. Kilimanjaro. So he is in much better shape than me!!

Go Dad!!!!

 

[Deleted member 59555]

PS. - my dad has climbed MT. Kilimanjaro. So he is in much better shape than me!!

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the comino. You say you are not spiritual,ha ha yer right this is the camino you are walking. Give it a chance.
Enjoy your first walk and your second walk. You will be back.

 

[Leibniz]

Buen Camino to you and your dad! I hope you both have a wonderful time.

 

[Kiernan]

My "almost Dad" (father in law) tried to join me in my first Camino. He was 82 and I'm sure he would gonna make it. I would enjoy walking with him since he's like my father anyway. At last he was afraid. Not for the physical thing: just because he will miss his wife .
Now, while I'm in my countdown to my second Camino, he still talk me about walking with me.....knowing that he will not.
You're so lucky with your father. I'm sure your Camino will be unforgetable

 

[Cowman456]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the comino. You say you are not spiritual,ha ha yer right this is the camino you are walking. Give it a chance.
Enjoy your first walk and your second walk. You will be back.

Thanks Terry! I'll definitely give it a chance. I do get the feeling that this might end up being a yearly thing.

 

[Cowman456]

Buen Camino to you and your dad! I hope you both have a wonderful time.

Buen Camino to you and your dad! I hope you both have a wonderful time.

Thank You. Can't wait!!

 

[Cowman456]

My "almost Dad" (father in law) tried to join me in my first Camino. He was 82 and I'm sure he would gonna make it. I would enjoy walking with him since he's like my father anyway. At last he was afraid. Not for the physical thing: just because he will miss his wife .
Now, while I'm in my countdown to my second Camino, he still talk me about walking with me.....knowing that he will not.
You're so lucky with your father. I'm sure your Camino will be unforgetable

Thank You! This will be a great opportunity to hang out with my dad. If I could leave tomorrow, I would!!