Camino Podcast Spirit of the Camino podcast

[jungleboy]

I am excited to announce that @Wendy Werneth and I have started a camino podcast! It's called Spirit of the Camino and is part of the larger Spirit of the Camino web platform.

The first two episodes are already live - an introductory episode, where Wendy and I talk about our pilgrim backgrounds and the spirit of the camino, and the first episode of season one about our just-completed Camino Portugués, in which we talk about walking during the pandemic. We will release a new episode every two weeks until the end of the season, including one with a special guest from this forum!

The podcast page on our website has direct links to subscribe or listen to the podcast, or just search for Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you, I hope you enjoy it, and buen camino!

 

[jungleboy]

A new episode is available!

Our third episode, and the second in our first season about the Portuguese Way, has just been published. The episode is called Walking in Portugal and we talk about how walking a camino in Portugal is different from walking in Spain. In particular, we discuss:

• Several aspects of Portuguese identity
• Cultural similarities between northern Portugal and Galicia
• Practical aspects of walking in Portugal (including cobblestones!)

To listen to the episode, visit our website or subscribe to Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts! Enjoy!

 

[woody66]

Hi Nick and Wendy!
Just listened to your podcast on Portugal. I enjoyed it and learned a lot; i think with the two of you together your interaction gives it a good vibe the 37 mins whizzed by!!
It was interesting and informative factually; as well as all the anecdotal stuff made it real.
I will listen again.
Woody.

 

[jungleboy]

Hi Nick and Wendy!
Just listened to your podcast on Portugal. I enjoyed it and learned a lot; i think with the two of you together your interaction gives it a good vibe the 37 mins whizzed by!!
It was interesting and informative factually; as well as all the anecdotal stuff made it real.
I will listen again.
Woody.

Thank you! Those are such kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

 

[jungleboy]

Our latest episode about the CP has just been published! The episode is called ‘Is it Worth Starting in Lisbon?’ To answer this question, we discuss the following:

• How walking from Lisbon can deepen your understanding of Portuguese history and culture
• The trail itself on the Lisbon to Porto stretch, including road walking and industrialisation
• Three milestone destinations (Santarém, Tomar and Coimbra)
• Three special albergues where the spirit of the camino shines brightly

To listen to the episode, visit our website or search for Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts! Enjoy!

 

[Pelegrin]

A new episode is available!

Our third episode, and the second in our first season about the Portuguese Way, has just been published. The episode is called Walking in Portugal and we talk about how walking a camino in Portugal is different from walking in Spain. In particular, we discuss:

• Several aspects of Portuguese identity
• Cultural similarities between northern Portugal and Galicia
• Practical aspects of walking in Portugal (including cobblestones!)

To listen to the episode, visit our website or subscribe to Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts! Enjoy!

In the part of cultural similarities between northern Portugal and Galicia I'd add that we formed part of the same nation for more than 300 years in Gallaecia with capital in Braga.
The current differences are from 19th century like road signalling, coblestones, bar and restaurants style, etc. Before that date the rural was basically identical in both sides.Also the language was almost the same. Now the language, and the accent, is a bit different because the Lisbon and the Spanish influence in the education, TV, etc.
Nevertheless, there is not a feeling in both sides of being the same people and so that we need to reunite. We feel ourselves now very close but not exactly the same people.

 

[jungleboy]

In the part of cultural similarities between northern Portugal and Galicia I'd add that we formed part of the same nation for more than 300 years in Gallaecia with capital in Braga.
The current differences are from 19th century like road signalling, coblestones, bar and restaurants style, etc. Before that date the rural was basically identical in both sides.Also the language was almost the same. Now the language, and the accent, is a bit different because the Lisbon and the Spanish influence in the education, TV, etc.
Nevertheless, there is not a feeling in both sides of being the same people and so that we need to reunite. We feel ourselves now very close but not exactly the same people.

Thank you for your great insight as always!

 

[woody66]

Hi Guys!
Again another good listen i enjoyed this one has lots of info. Surprised at so few comments from forum?
Woody

 

[jungleboy]

Hi Guys!
Again another good listen i enjoyed this one has lots of info. Surprised at so few comments from forum?
Woody

Thanks Woody! Hopefully more feedback will come as word gets out.

Meanwhile, I see from your profile that you're hoping to walk the Portuguese coastal next year? Our next episode is a discussion about the coastal vs central routes so hopefully you'll enjoy that!

 

[jungleboy]

Our latest episode about the Camino Portugués has just been published! The episode is called Central or Coastal? To answer this question, @Wendy Werneth and I are joined by special guest @Elle Bieling who has written guidebooks on both routes, available on her website.

Highlights of the episode are:

• Elle’s pilgrim history and what the spirit of the camino means to her.
• Discussion of the central route, including the key cities, the monastery at Vairão and Elle’s experience of walking with a pilgrim in a wheelchair.
• Discussion of the coastal route, including the main natural and historic attractions and whether it feels like a camino.
• Elle’s choice as to which was her favourite route.

To listen to the episode, visit our website or search for Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts! Enjoy!

 

[jungleboy]

The latest episode is live! The episode is all about the Variante Espiritual, the increasingly popular variant at the end of the Camino Portugués.

In the episode, we talk about the monasteries at Poio and Armenteira, the seaside town of Combarro, the Stone and Water Route and the Translatio boat trip.

To listen to the episode, visit our website or search for Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts! Enjoy!

 

[woody66]

Hi Nick and Wendy!
Another good listen enjoyed it again; lots of useful info.
The last two episodes have been really relevant to me as i am doing the Coastal and Espiritual as long as my old body holds up! ha!ha!

One positive for me was the fact that you can split the cost of the boat if numbers are not sufficient; i would pay the cost of the boat myself if i have to.
I have been looking forward for months already and i don't get there till the beginning of October next year. (just shows how much excitement i get in my life)
I don't want to go home without doing it and who knows might be a one and only opportunity.

Secondly and this might be a hard one for you to answer.
Regarding the route of water and stone.
When you say it's dark under the canopy of trees,i know you were taking photographs at the time.
But how dark on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being dark and 10 bright sunlight) i think i could manage if it's for example the same as a pretty dark dull rainy day.

I am second guessing here as my eyesight will be worse by next year (unstoppable, untreatable, degenerative condition) that's why for me this bl**dy virus is a pain in the bum!!!
Mind you as long as i am still breathing next year ;i will still have a crack at it whatever happens!!
All the best
Woody

 

[jungleboy]

Thanks Woody, we love your spirit and appreciate your support!

Secondly and this might be a hard one for you to answer.
Regarding the route of water and stone.
When you say it's dark under the canopy of trees,i know you were taking photographs at the time.
But how dark on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being dark and 10 bright sunlight) i think i could manage if it's for example the same as a pretty dark dull rainy day.

Yes, this is a bit hard to answer, but if you are in the forest shortly after sunrise, it will be darker than a pretty dark dull rainy day. Guessing here, but maybe a 3 on your scale? Obviously if you start a bit later (say an hour after sunrise), it will be much lighter and you should be OK. The problem, as you heard us say in the episode, is that sunrise at that time of year is around 8:30am. We walked this day on Sep 30. If you walk in Oct before daylight savings ends, sunrise will be even a few minutes later. It's a pretty long day to Vilanova de Arousa, so it's not ideal to get a late start, but better safe than sorry.

I mentioned in the episode taking the same photo twice - once in better light the afternoon before and once shortly after sunrise (8:38am according to the timestamp). Here they are for comparison:





I hope that helps a bit!

 

[woody66]

Thanks Nick!
Yes it does, at the moment i am still able to distinguish features on the dark photo i hope that's the case on the day.
I am more hopeful now, that if i go very slowly in this light i should be OK fingers crossed until the light improves.
Just have to make sure my long cane skills are tip top;so that people think i'm Zoro!!!!!
All the best
Woody

 

[jungleboy]

Episode 1.6 of the podcast, Camino Languages, is now live! This episode is about languages on the CP, specifically Portuguese and Galego (the Galician language).

Highlights of the episode are:

• Wendy, a polyglot and former UN translator, describes her background in Portuguese and her intensive daily language learning routine (including Galego and a surprise language!).
• Discussion of English levels in Portugal, and the language not to speak in Portugal.
• Our experiences with Portuguese in Lisbon and on the camino, and how these differed, including Nick’s theory of ‘Four Levels of Response’ to us speaking Portuguese.
• Our experiences with Galego in Galicia and a general linguistic and political discussion about the language.

To listen to the episode, visit our website or search for Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts! We’re especially looking forward to @Pelegrin’s insights about Galego!

 

[jungleboy]

Episode 1.7 of the podcast, Portuguese Way Top Tips, is now live! This is the final episode of the first season so we wrap up the CP. Highlights include:

• Discussion of the accessibility of the CP and some reasons why it is a great choice for a camino.
• Discussion of a few things that we couldn't fit into earlier episodes including, sadly, the attack on two female pilgrims on the first day of their camino.
• Wendy and I both give our top three tips for the CP.

To listen to the episode, visit our website or search for Spirit of the Camino wherever you listen to podcasts!

P.S. In case we are unable to do a spring camino this year (or perhaps even if we are), we have a backup plan for season two!

 

[woody66]

Hi Nick and Wendy!
Just listened to 6 and 7 both very informative podcasts.(missed 6's arrival somehow)
Learned a lot and will try Utalk for some basic Portuguese!(my old brain now gets easily confused i already have a moderate amount of Spanish; in my head the two will combine into Espanguese which no-one will understand!!!)
I look forward to the next series.
Regarding the Camino i am not sure whether mine will happen yet. I've got 240 days before i have to cancel anything however if things have not changed for the better in that time frame c'est la vie.
At this time stay well both of you.
Thanks for all you hard work so far.
Woody

 

[jungleboy]

Thank you for your continued support woody! I would really like to think that your camino is far enough away that it won't be in jeopardy but of course no one really knows.