- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo
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Never said I was a better pilgrim, in fact when asked here in another thread a few months ago I clearly stated I feel I am a tourist, but a respectful one others who feel they are on a pilgrimage. Read Christophe Rufin's Immortelle Randonnée and his take on the impact long distance walking for days and days has on the brain.A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone's own beliefs.
No where does it say anything about how many days constitutes a pilgrimage, some pilgrimages in Ireland last about a day and that does not make them any less of a pilgrimage.
I think its time we moved past the " I'm a better pilgrim than you because I walked more days" attitude.
Thank you for sharing the video.I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone's own beliefs.
No where does it say anything about how many days constitutes a pilgrimage, some pilgrimages in Ireland last about a day and that does not make them any less of a pilgrimage.
I think its time we moved past the " I'm a better pilgrim than you because I walked more days" attitude.
I am in awe of this group. And also for the family, friends and Carers that are there too. My husband and I have just finished (our 2nd Camino) to raise awareness about Younger Onset Dementia from SJPdP. He was diagnosed in his 50's. The support from our new Camino friends each day was overwhelming. The distance is not always as important as the personal pilgrimage and achievements.I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
Ouch! Please don't start this nonsence again about them and us.It does not reflect well on a camino walker. Many people in Ireland climb Croag Patrick our "holy mountain" if you like in one day and that is their pilgrimage. 100 km. for people who are not used to walking is a long, hard walk and yes,they deserve their compestela at the end and why not! We met a young man in Sarria who only 5 days holiday to walk to Santiago. By the 3rd day he was hobbling along with muscle pain and swallowing analgesia by the bucket load,but at least he was determined to finish it. And he did! His excitement was wonderful to behold. So lighten up about a joyful post by Kangaroo and the joy felt there! Best wishes Annette@Kanga ! When ever the last 100 are brought up someone posts one of these pictures noone can object to. Perhaps the catedral could say yes to 100 in these cases, but for the rest? 2-3 days walking hardly makes a pilgrimage. Even 4. It hardly puts any one into the groove. Certificate chasers.
Kanga,so so so sorry. I just read my post and realised what I had called you.So embarrassed. Can I blame this predictive I pad please. You made a lovely post,so enjoy your trip.best wishes. AnnetteI have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
Nice to see those happy faces !! Beautiful moments for these wonderful people. Kanga, thanks for sharing this with us.I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
We just finished our pilgrimage to Santiago having started at St. Jean and I ahve just finished reading some of the posts on this thread. Overall, I fully agree that people walking the last 100k are doing their own pilgrimage and I especially see the relevance for those who are disabled or who are supporting such a group. It is also true that some people do not have a lot of time so can only do a part of the camino. But if so, why not walk the first part of the camino for 5 days in the hope that you might be able to return and do more another time? We met so many people doing just that. Perhaps if we were not awarded a compostella but simply had our credencials stamped with the last stamp, were given a pat on the head and told "well done" we might find less people doing only the last 100k. I know this sounds cynical-it is not meant to be, but despite my best efforts , I did find the last 100k more noisy, more tourist like with guided groups and busus filling the lanes and roads. Also, there were often much higher prices for the same service in many bars and some albergues. We did the St Cuthbert's Way last year, only 100k, but we did all of it. I will walk the Camino Portugese but I will do all of it because I am fit enough to do it and, where possible, I believe it is the right thing to do. The walk up Croag Patrick takes a day, then that is what it takes. You walk the pilgimage route that is there- no more and if possible, no less. As Kanga highlighted with her pictures, we also saw so many pilgrims who were struggling in adversity and who were truly inspiring. Yet they were still walking the camino-all of it. These are fairly immediate post camino thoughts and reflections-I may change my mind in the future. I am minded to recall the parable Jesus told about the master hiring labourers to work in the fields and paying the same wage to those who had worked perhaps half a day as he did to those who had worked the whole day. There might be something for me to consider there. To all, however far you walked-Buen Camino and well done.I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
So I'll choose to go up that hill, but only the last 50 meters and call it a day, just because, why not... I only have 3 weeks a year to walk, so I have only ended up in Santiago twice out of dive times, going back to keep walking the following year. In a pilgrimage the process is what matters, not the destination without the process. And the process is about what it does to your heart and mind until you reach your destination.Ouch! Please don't start this nonsence again about them and us.It does not reflect well on a camino walker. Many people in Ireland climb Croag Patrick our "holy mountain" if you like in one day and that is their pilgrimage. 100 km. for people who are not used to walking is a long, hard walk and yes,they deserve their compestela at the end and why not! We met a young man in Sarria who only 5 days holiday to walk to Santiago. By the 3rd day he was hobbling along with muscle pain and swallowing analgesia by the bucket load,but at least he was determined to finish it. And he did! His excitement was wonderful to behold. So lighten up about a joyful post by Kangaroo and the joy felt there! Best wishes Annette
I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
What "all of it" means for one person is different for another. The camino defies confining parameters - it is not a one size fits all.... Yet they were still walking the camino-all of it...
What "all of it" means for one person is different for another. The camino defies confining parameters - it is not a one size fits all.
I'm afraid I don't understand the constant Criticism of how or why people choose to undertake their pilgrimage or indeed what distance they walk. And who has decided what this "process"is for each individual anyway. Sounds very controlling to me. Thank heavens we are all so different and if individuals are happy and fulfilled with the last 100km then who are we to judge. As they say "one mans meat is another mans poison" think about it. Best wishes.So I'll choose to go up that hill, but only the last 50 meters and call it a day, just because, why not... I only have 3 weeks a year to walk, so I have only ended up in Santiago twice out of dive times, going back to keep walking the following year. In a pilgrimage the process is what matters, not the destination without the process. And the process is about what it does to your heart and mind until you reach your destination.
Keep praying. I am sure you will get it eventually. Everyone is doing "all of it". It's just that we have different "alls".We just finished our pilgrimage to Santiago having started at St. Jean and I ahve just finished reading some of the posts on this thread. Overall, I fully agree that people walking the last 100k are doing their own pilgrimage and I especially see the relevance for those who are disabled or who are supporting such a group. It is also true that some people do not have a lot of time so can only do a part of the camino. But if so, why not walk the first part of the camino for 5 days in the hope that you might be able to return and do more another time? We met so many people doing just that. Perhaps if we were not awarded a compostella but simply had our credencials stamped with the last stamp, were given a pat on the head and told "well done" we might find less people doing only the last 100k. I know this sounds cynical-it is not meant to be, but despite my best efforts , I did find the last 100k more noisy, more tourist like with guided groups and busus filling the lanes and roads. Also, there were often much higher prices for the same service in many bars and some albergues. We did the St Cuthbert's Way last year, only 100k, but we did all of it. I will walk the Camino Portugese but I will do all of it because I am fit enough to do it and, where possible, I believe it is the right thing to do. The walk up Croag Patrick takes a day, then that is what it takes. You walk the pilgimage route that is there- no more and if possible, no less. As Kanga highlighted with her pictures, we also saw so many pilgrims who were struggling in adversity and who were truly inspiring. Yet they were still walking the camino-all of it. These are fairly immediate post camino thoughts and reflections-I may change my mind in the future. I am minded to recall the parable Jesus told about the master hiring labourers to work in the fields and paying the same wage to those who had worked perhaps half a day as he did to those who had worked the whole day. There might be something for me to consider there. To all, however far you walked-Buen Camino and well done.
THANKYOU for sharing the beautiful video of so many happy pilgrims.I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
To my delight, when Robyn and I were doing a rooftop tour of the Cathedral after we reached Santiago, we saw them arriving.
View attachment 21906
Whether you believe the relics in the Cathedral to be those of St James or not, the Camino is a pilgrimage to his shrine in Santiago de Compostela thus it has an end-point. It does not however have a beginning therefore you can't just do the "the first part".We just finished our pilgrimage to Santiago having started at St. Jean and I ahve just finished reading some of the posts on this thread. Overall, I fully agree that people walking the last 100k are doing their own pilgrimage and I especially see the relevance for those who are disabled or who are supporting such a group. It is also true that some people do not have a lot of time so can only do a part of the camino. But if so, why not walk the first part of the camino for 5 days in the hope that you might be able to return and do more another time?
I SO agree with your words above Wayfarer......hi time everyone stopped thinking that because 'I walked more Ks than you, so therefore I am the better person and therefore I am entitled to Judge You"...... susanawee.A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone's own beliefs.
No where does it say anything about how many days constitutes a pilgrimage, some pilgrimages in Ireland last about a day and that does not make them any less of a pilgrimage.
I think its time we moved past the " I'm a better pilgrim than you because I walked more days" attitude.
Blessings!I walked Sarria to Santiago last May. I walked only as far as my body would allow each day. It actually took me 13 days for my pilgrimage. I definitely got into a "groove" of walking, eating and sleeping. I met pilgrims every day whom I will never forget. I enjoyed the walk so much I am coming back this next April and will start in Leon this time. The feeling I had entering Cathedral Square in Santiago was very intense. Something I would like to feel again.
It really doesn't matter to me what any other person thinks of me. I know I am a pilgrim, and will be one for the rest of my life.
Hi, you are so wright . And as you say , you will be a pilgrim for life.I walked Sarria to Santiago last May. I walked only as far as my body would allow each day. It actually took me 13 days for my pilgrimage. I definitely got into a "groove" of walking, eating and sleeping. I met pilgrims every day whom I will never forget. I enjoyed the walk so much I am coming back this next April and will start in Leon this time. The feeling I had entering Cathedral Square in Santiago was very intense. Something I would like to feel again.
It really doesn't matter to me what any other person thinks of me. I know I am a pilgrim, and will be one for the rest of my life.
Thank you!I really like the post where Don88 said:. . . It really doesn't matter to me what any other person thinks of me . . .
Well done. So glad you had so much enjoyment on your journey and yes when you smile at others,both you and they feel better and uplifted.Hi !!! Kanga it is really a great video, thanks a lot. We walked from Leon to Santiago, stared walking 18-20 km per day, enjoying every minute of it, the last 2 days I had a very sore ankle, had to walk slowly but those days were so so of introspection....Tried not no pay attention to my ankle and when we stopped to eat at la porta de Santiago, the last hours of the last day, a woman with crutches enters the tiny restaurant, smiles to everyone and sits without any sign of pain, that was a lesson for us !!! The Camino is what "we" want it to be, everybody starts for a reason and ends with a lesson or several lessons....so I would give this advice..."walk what you can, walk listening to the Camino, smile to people, wish the
BUEN CAMINO, no judging others....and you will end up feeling good, and with a great flavor about your journey" ....BUEN CAMINO TO ALL !!!
Hi Michael,Keep praying. I am sure you will get it eventually. Everyone is doing "all of it". It's just that we have different "alls".
BTW, when you do the Caminho Portuguese, are you planning to walk from Porto, Lisbon, Faro or somewhere else? I walked from Lisbon because my time and resources were limited to a month.
I have read posts on this forum critical of pilgrims who "only" walk from Sarria, or suggesting that the Camino Frances was spoilt for them by the huge increase in numbers after Sarria, or that people who use assistance to make a Camino are somehow not true pilgrims.
This group brought everything together for me. We came across them outside Portomarine. Watching them was joyful in the deepest sense.
Ah," physical effort and occasional discomfort". What if you you are not making an effort and quit at the first sign of Discomfort? And What if you are walking one of the léser known routes, walking alone for days and days, not sharing your experience?There are no "true", "real", "fake" or "false" pilgrims - there are just pilgrims. The path belongs to all and each does it in their own way, with each bringing their own paradoxes, idiosyncrasies, personal mannerisms and character - I find those who judge do themselves and others a great disservice. The camino is not a holiday or a private meditation it is a shared experience in real time which offers the great rewards in return for some physical effort and occasional discomfort. The quote from Henry James can be a helpful in dealing with the great change of ambience for the final 100 :
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
Some lovely,kind uplifting,encouraging,and joyful comments have been posted on this thread and I wonder if the above comment is appropriate.it would be a shame if this thread was stopped by the moderators as so many new members to the forum need encouragement for this journey and need that encouragement for however far they walk or cycle and those of us who embark on this journey will have different pain thresholds so as the man says"be kind" best wishes AnnetteAh," physical effort and occasional discomfort". What if you you are not making an effort and quit at the first sign of Discomfort? And What if you are walking one of the léser known routes, walking alone for days and days, not sharing your experience?
Ah," physical effort and occasional discomfort". What if you you are not making an effort and quit at the first sign of Discomfort? And What if you are walking one of the léser known routes, walking alone for days and days, not sharing your experience?
Jill I have to plead guilty to being one of those who had a less than "welcoming" attitude to the "100km Pilgrims". However upon reflection I now realise that my Camino was "mine" and theirs was "theirs" and it should matter not whether I rode a cycle 650 km (from Pamplona) while they walked from Sarria or Samos. BTW some of Camino trail from Samos to Sarria and from Sarria to Portomarin involved some the roughest conditions I encountered during the whole Camino. So to your "hero pilgrims" at the top of this post - a very sincere Buen Camino. Cheers Mike
And the purpose of your comment is?Rode a bike! And only from Pamplona! Blah...........
And the purpose of your comment is?
Ah," physical effort and occasional discomfort". What if you you are not making an effort and quit at the first sign of Discomfort? And What if you are walking one of the léser known routes, walking alone for days and days, not sharing your experience?
The one thing I did notice on the last 100 km is that people stopped talking to each other as we passed. No buen camino, no hola. Now this may have been because the day I started from Sarria the torrential rains started and lasted for 3 days and any words would have been lost in the sounds of the rain and the sloshing of feet. However, I missed it, I missed buen camino and hola ..... so I started greeting everyone with it. There were quite a few looks of surprise so I not sure what happens at Sarria. Maybe the pilgrims that have walked further are tired of greeting people.
Aren't you the one I quote, the one who mentioned The rewards of the camino,in exchnage for some effort and discomfort?It seems to me you are trying to impose your criteria on others and this is not an elegant or fair thing to do. You are free to walk whatever path you want in any way you want and you may not always be a gift to the others with whom you share the path - each one of us can be a burden to others at times, even if we would like to believe otherwise. Personally I have an aversion to fundamentalists but I always try to respect their right to follow their path and understand their desire to live a very pure moment. I also dislike people who enter the dormitory at 23:00 and switch on the lights (yes I have seen it happen) but I also recognise my snoring may keep them awake later or those who get up early will wake them up at 05:30 - its all swings and roundabouts. This is what I mean when I suggest we need to be kind - in our understanding, our words and our actions. I hope you find peace and fraternity - these were two surprising gifts I received during my camino.
First of all let me put my cards on the table. 5 Camino Frances and a Portuguese with my wife. On the first one we followed the Brierley advise and took a bus into Burgos and regretted it ever since. We walk every step of the way and a few Finisterres and Muxias on top, all with our packs on our back. After the Portuguese we felt unfulfilled on arrival in Santiago compared to those who had obviously walked a full CF
I do not have a problem with pilgims who start their walk after St Jean, or who walk from Sarria, or who walk with day packs. If you are injured and take a taxi, well OK. The significant word there is walk.
I do have a problem with those who do not walk, who bus or taxi along collecting stamps, who take up valuable space in albergues and pensions. Those delusional people who you see in minibuses and then again in the line waiting to collect their Compostella. Who probably frame it, hang it up at home and tell everyone that they walked the Camino. I have met them or seen them and they are a waste of Camino space. I do not hold with the "my Camino " , " their Camino " view. They have not walked so no Compostella.
Does it matter? Yes it does. It makes the Compostella worthless if you can get it riding a taxi from stamp to stamp. Do a pilgrimage on a bus by all means but don't go into the pilgrims office and tick the box that you have walked. The Compostella represents a hard won achievement, it is not a tourist's souvenir or something you obtain by lies.
Problem is that your post title is not about the diabled, and that noone thinks the isse is about the disabled and those who help them reach thei goal.Welcome to the forum @Dobs . I don't think anyone disagrees that obtaining the Compostela by cheating is plain silly. But the requirement is only that the pilgrim must have walked the last 100 km into Santiago. Nothing more.
Perhaps we can get back to my original post, the obvious joy of those disabled pilgrims, and take a moment to reflect gratefully on our own ability to walk.
Very well said !I do not join in the "it's your camino" chorus because I think that is a self-indulgent and selfish approach to how I ought to behave as a guest on the Catholic church's camino. But I am equally opposed to the doctrinnaire rigidity that has somehow determined that 100 km is not "good enough."
I agree as if it was written by myself.I don't understand the motivation of the continual beating up on those who want a compostela and walk 100 km from Sarria to get it. I would venture a guess that the vast majority of the truly religious pilgrims walk only those 100 kms. They believe that they will obtain a plenary indulgence by complying with the church's requirement that they walk 100 kms. If their purpose is to get that indulgence, isn't it frivolous and beyond the point to walk further than that? What religious purpose could it have to do several extra weeks walking if the indulgence comes with 100 km? I don't share that religious motivation, and my guess is that most forum members don't either, but I don't think it's my place to criticize it. In my 15 years of walking caminos, I bet I have met no more than a dozen people who were walking with religious motivations. Nearly everyone I have ever met on a camino fits into the pilgrims' office vague "spiritual motivation" category. Even those who start out looking for a cheap adventure wind up finding much more.
I refuse to believe that anyone's compostela is made more worthy by our adopting a superior attitude about people who take the "easy way" rather than our "real and difficult way." Truth be told, I often wonder why I bother to go get a compostela each year. Mine are all rolled up in their tubes in a drawer somewhere and say absolutely nothing about the value and the meaning of the camino to me. I guess I keep doing it because I have friends in the pilgrims office, or because it is a part of the ritual of how to end my camino.
I do not join in the "it's your camino" chorus because I think that is a self-indulgent and selfish approach to how I ought to behave as a guest on the Catholic church's camino. But I am equally opposed to the doctrinnaire rigidity that has somehow determined that 100 km is not "good enough."
Thank you Laurie, the calm voice of reason as always.I don't understand the motivation of the continual beating up on those who want a compostela and walk 100 km from Sarria to get it. I would venture a guess that the vast majority of the truly religious pilgrims walk only those 100 kms. They believe that they will obtain a plenary indulgence by complying with the church's requirement that they walk 100 kms. If their purpose is to get that indulgence, isn't it frivolous and beyond the point to walk further than that? What religious purpose could it have to do several extra weeks walking if the indulgence comes with 100 km? I don't share that religious motivation, and my guess is that most forum members don't either, but I don't think it's my place to criticize it. In my 15 years of walking caminos, I bet I have met no more than a dozen people who were walking with religious motivations. Nearly everyone I have ever met on a camino fits into the pilgrims' office vague "spiritual motivation" category. Even those who start out looking for a cheap adventure wind up finding much more.
I refuse to believe that anyone's compostela is made more worthy by our adopting a superior attitude about people who take the "easy way" rather than our "real and difficult way." Truth be told, I often wonder why I bother to go get a compostela each year. Mine are all rolled up in their tubes in a drawer somewhere and say absolutely nothing about the value and the meaning of the camino to me. I guess I keep doing it because I have friends in the pilgrims office, or because it is a part of the ritual of how to end my camino.
I do not join in the "it's your camino" chorus because I think that is a self-indulgent and selfish approach to how I ought to behave as a guest on the Catholic church's camino. But I am equally opposed to the doctrinnaire rigidity that has somehow determined that 100 km is not "good enough."
Well said.I don't understand the motivation of the continual beating up on those who want a compostela and walk 100 km from Sarria to get it. I would venture a guess that the vast majority of the truly religious pilgrims walk only those 100 kms. They believe that they will obtain a plenary indulgence by complying with the church's requirement that they walk 100 kms. If their purpose is to get that indulgence, isn't it frivolous and beyond the point to walk further than that? What religious purpose could it have to do several extra weeks walking if the indulgence comes with 100 km? I don't share that religious motivation, and my guess is that most forum members don't either, but I don't think it's my place to criticize it. In my 15 years of walking caminos, I bet I have met no more than a dozen people who were walking with religious motivations. Nearly everyone I have ever met on a camino fits into the pilgrims' office vague "spiritual motivation" category. Even those who start out looking for a cheap adventure wind up finding much more.
I refuse to believe that anyone's compostela is made more worthy by our adopting a superior attitude about people who take the "easy way" rather than our "real and difficult way." Truth be told, I often wonder why I bother to go get a compostela each year. Mine are all rolled up in their tubes in a drawer somewhere and say absolutely nothing about the value and the meaning of the camino to me. I guess I keep doing it because I have friends in the pilgrims office, or because it is a part of the ritual of how to end my camino.
I do not join in the "it's your camino" chorus because I think that is a self-indulgent and selfish approach to how I ought to behave as a guest on the Catholic church's camino. But I am equally opposed to the doctrinnaire rigidity that has somehow determined that 100 km is not "good enough."
If anyone reads my posts they will see that I am not beating upon those who walk from Sarria. I am beating up on those who DON'T walk and then CLAIM to have walked from Sarria.
Completely agree.Hi, Dobs,
Just in case it's not clear, my comments about the beating up were not about your posts. I agree with you completely. I was responding to the disdain I sensed in a number of other posts. This is nothing new, it comes up every time someone addresses the issue of walking from Sarria. What I don't understand is why anyone would want to spend the mental energy to criticize and feel angry about the fact that others haven't walked as far as I have or in as much rain as I have or with as much on my back as I have. Why not be grateful that I CAN walk farther, tolerate the rain, and carry my own pack?
I am beating up on those who DON'T walk and then CLAIM to have walked from Sarria.
Such a lovely post and you have a great sense of humour. Good luck to you.Sorry to take the thread a little astray but it's irresistible...
Did anyone else notice? An Aussie and a Kiwi have just agreed!--and this in spite of the fact that the All Blacks have just trounced Australia in the Rugby world cup final. The unifying power of kindness is astonishing.
And an aside to take the thread back to it's original topic...last year, my feelings of being a wee bit annoyed at the crowd after Sarria were completely diffused by a group of deaf students from Ireland. They were talking as fast as their hands could sign and it was a total delight to be amongst them. At the pilgrims' mass in the cathedral, they were all seated in the front and a priest signed the entire mass, translating the spoken words into beautiful sign. It was impossible not to be a little extra high, on their behalf.
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone's own beliefs.
No where does it say anything about how many days constitutes a pilgrimage, some pilgrimages in Ireland last about a day and that does not make them any less of a pilgrimage.
I think its time we moved past the " I'm a better pilgrim than you because I walked more days" attitude.
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