Nuestro camino

[G_Ellis]

Hola todos,

So... I don't really know how to start this, hopefully this will be sufficient. I am leaving for, or rather returning to, Spain in a few months to walk the northern route of the Camino de Santiago. I spent a year studying abroad in Santander while I was in College, and it was there I met my very good friend Mike P. We both graduated a couple years later, he began working as a police officer and I, well I haven't really figure out what I'm doing yet. We had always planned to one day return to Spain and walk the Camino together. Unfortunately though about 3 months ago I received news that life as a cop had been too much for him and my friend Mike had shot himself. The night before his funeral, as I and several other of his friends were drinking ourselves into a stupor, I had a moment of clarity; I decided in that moment to walk the Camino as we had planned, in his honor. I will be walking from Santander to Santiago de Compostela starting in early July of this year. We had actually planned to do the Camino Frances but seeing as we both met in Northern Spain I figured the Camino del Norte would be more fitting. I have gotten together all the required gear as well as purchased a couple guide books and maps, but I still feel slightly unprepared. I guess I mostly joined this forum to find out from experienced peregrinos what I will need and how much I need to train to accomplish my goals. Thank you all for your time!

Saludos,
Grant E.

 

[ivar]

Sorry for your loss.

Buen Camino Grant!

 

[JohnMcM]

Grant E.,

A lovely, inspiring post with hint of both sadness for the loss of your friendship, and, happiness to walk in his remembrance. Are you aware that should you choose to you can have your friend's name entered into your Compostela?

You should find most of your planning and preparation information in the forum.
Buen Camino

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Grant. My condolences for your loss. It is a good thing you are doing.
Buen Camino.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hola todos,

So... I don't really know how to start this, hopefully this will be sufficient. I am leaving for, or rather returning to, Spain in a few months to walk the northern route of the Camino de Santiago. I spent a year studying abroad in Santander while I was in College, and it was there I met my very good friend Mike P. We both graduated a couple years later, he began working as a police officer and I, well I haven't really figure out what I'm doing yet. We had always planned to one day return to Spain and walk the Camino together. Unfortunately though about 3 months ago I received news that life as a cop had been too much for him and my friend Mike had shot himself. The night before his funeral, as I and several other of his friends were drinking ourselves into a stupor, I had a moment of clarity; I decided in that moment to walk the Camino as we had planned, in his honor. I will be walking from Santander to Santiago de Compostela starting in early July of this year. We had actually planned to do the Camino Frances but seeing as we both met in Northern Spain I figured the Camino del Norte would be more fitting. I have gotten together all the required gear as well as purchased a couple guide books and maps, but I still feel slightly unprepared. I guess I mostly joined this forum to find out from experienced peregrinos what I will need and how much I need to train to accomplish my goals. Thank you all for your time!

Saludos,
Grant E.

Welcome Grant , sorry for the loss of your friend. It is so good that you walk the Camino in his honor. I wish you a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Welcome to the forum Grant,

I am very sorry to hear of your loss and think that walking the Camino will help you to come to terms with the loss of Mike.

I have just finished reading a book written by an Irish Jesuit who walked the Northern route to help him come to terms with the loss of his brother who committed suicide. I found it a deeply moving book . It also described more realistically than anything else that I have read , both the outward and inward journey that the Camino can be.

The book is "Redemption Road" by Brendan Mc Manus SJ. publisher Orphen Press
IBNS 978-1-909895-39-3
Kindle IBNS 978-1-909895-44-7

Buen Camino to you Grant,

Lydia

 

[Introibo]

Sorry to hear of your loss Grant.

As Lydia said, Redemption Road would be a lovely start to your preparations for your Camino

 

[KinkyOne]

Hola todos,

So... I don't really know how to start this, hopefully this will be sufficient. I am leaving for, or rather returning to, Spain in a few months to walk the northern route of the Camino de Santiago. I spent a year studying abroad in Santander while I was in College, and it was there I met my very good friend Mike P. We both graduated a couple years later, he began working as a police officer and I, well I haven't really figure out what I'm doing yet. We had always planned to one day return to Spain and walk the Camino together. Unfortunately though about 3 months ago I received news that life as a cop had been too much for him and my friend Mike had shot himself. The night before his funeral, as I and several other of his friends were drinking ourselves into a stupor, I had a moment of clarity; I decided in that moment to walk the Camino as we had planned, in his honor. I will be walking from Santander to Santiago de Compostela starting in early July of this year. We had actually planned to do the Camino Frances but seeing as we both met in Northern Spain I figured the Camino del Norte would be more fitting. I have gotten together all the required gear as well as purchased a couple guide books and maps, but I still feel slightly unprepared. I guess I mostly joined this forum to find out from experienced peregrinos what I will need and how much I need to train to accomplish my goals. Thank you all for your time!

Saludos,
Grant E.

My condolences for your loss!

That intention of yours is so noble, so nice and your friendship surely deserves what you intend to do. Furthermore YOU derserve that walk.
Also that made me think about "proper" route. Well, there's no proper route as such. You should walk whichever route you choose and we will try to be as helpfull as we can be.

Ultreia et Suseia!

 

[FlechaCadaDia]

You'll be walking for many hours a day. Maybe 8? So you'll want to train a lot. Be sure to wear you hiking boots as much as you can before going so you break them in. Carry your backpack with you as well. If you haven't yet packed it, try putting in some weights--I wrapped up some bricks. The Norte is said to be very hilly. You probably won't regret training as much as you can--it's probably not possible to overprepare physically. To underprepare is definitely possible!

Ultreya--