I had much the same experience. No one I knew had gone on nor even heard of the Camino. I first heard of it, vaguely, in 2004 when I learned that an acquaintance in Maine had gone on “some pilgrimage” “possibly in Spain”. Two weeks later, looking through the travel section in an Oregon bookstore, I saw a book about the Camino. (Not a book I can recommend but it peaked my interest). Less than a month later, back home in Warsaw, with the possibility lingering in my mind, I turned on the tv and lo, it was a show in English about German pilgrims starting at their own doorstep.
I think that your desire to do the pilgrimage will give you the motivation to commit to the exercise you need to do to get prepared. I can say that for me, knowing that it is good for my health etc. etc. is not enough motivation to get me committed to any exercise plan. I know it should be, but it isn’t. But yearning to be a part of the spiritual community that I perceived to exist on the Camino, changed my life. For me, the gift of the Camino was Trust. There is no telling what it will be for you.
IMHO , one of the very best books on the Camino is Fumbling by Kerry Egan. (I am a reader and I have read many, many of the options.) With a respectful, informative attitude, she includes legends and background information about the Camino in the midst of her own personal life experiences. I wanted those Spanish ladies to come and sit tenderly with me also. This book will give you memorable landmarks that will give you a sense of accomplishment along the way. I liked and respected the author as a person. It is the only Camino book that I have given to relatives. I would add though, that you are missing something if you skip the Meseta.
While you are telling yourself that you are undecided, learn or brush up on your Spanish. You can get by with only English but you won’t get to treasure the memory of buying ripe tomatoes to slice and smear on when the only open shop doesn’t carry what you think of as sunburn lotion. I didn’t know a lot but I used what I knew. I wish that I had known enough, to understand what the late priest who helped revitalize the Camino said, with great passion, as he spoke to us after mass. I wish that I had been able to translate the sign on the Gaudi church in Astorga.
Buen Camino,
Nancy
