- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2023 Vasco, Meseta, Portugues Coastal
First I do not know if I am posting this in the correct thread or maybe it belongs in the Miscellaneous thread.
When I first became active in the forum I was and still am obsessed with everything Camino. The first person I read religiously and really enjoyed and learned from was the infamous and indispensable Camino man @davebugg (Please Dave keep going and I know soon you will be better than ever. We love you!)
Before the Pandemic there were lots of comments by the "regulars" and of course the hundreds and hundreds of first time pilgrims who were anxious and a little afraid seeking advice and reassurance as they were about to begin one of the most life changing events many would have experienced to that point. It was fun and I am sure made so many of us "veterans" feel good about helping people. Especially because each one of us were in their shoes in the past and could so well relate to them.
But what I have learned now during the Pandemic is that so many of these people have understandable dropped off the radar. They may still read posts but are definitely not posting for obvious reasons.
Interestingly now I read and respond almost daily to help me to hold on to the Camino and get a small fix.
It feels like in the last few months through the discussions and posts and sometimes fun disagreements from the posts of the "hardcore" members have slowly evolved into becoming my internet "family" (funny because I have always shied away from "families" on the camino as I prefer to walk alone and at my own pace). I was going to mention who these people are but I sure don't want to miss anyone and you guys know who you are. There are alot of you.
When I walked the Norte and I think (I don't remember, it sucks growing old) when I walked the Frances last November I posted my intentions on the Calendar. I didn't expect to see many people posting on the Norte or the CF during the times I walked. In reality the Calendar cupboard was bare. I don't know how this would work or even if it is possible but here goes.
I have really grown to love lots of people on this board and I know we all have different schedules and I know we live all over the world but I sure would love to meet some people face to face as so many of you do not know it but to me you have become friends whose thoughts and opinions I look forward to reading even if I may have a different take on things.
I wonder (I am also assuming if a pilgrim wants to) if there is a way to let other pilgrims know where we will be when we are on Camino and forum friends could meet for a coffee or dinner along the way or maybe even better still, and easier to meet in Santiago when we arrive from different caminos and having started walking at different times, locations and speed. Just maybe meet up at Pilgrim House or if Ivar has an office just to say hello leave them a little donation to show our gratitude and go off and have a coffee or a meal. I have no idea if this is doable or practical or if the calendar can be adjusted to accommodate this, but there are a whole lot of you out there I would love to say hello to even if it is just for a 30 minute coffee at that cafe above the square to the right of the cathedral. I have only walked into Santiago 5 times so how can you expect me to know the name of that square hahaha
P.S. I will be walking the VDLP next October if all the Camino Gods align properly. If not who knows??? Certainly not me but I will be thankful whenever that day comes.
When I first became active in the forum I was and still am obsessed with everything Camino. The first person I read religiously and really enjoyed and learned from was the infamous and indispensable Camino man @davebugg (Please Dave keep going and I know soon you will be better than ever. We love you!)
Before the Pandemic there were lots of comments by the "regulars" and of course the hundreds and hundreds of first time pilgrims who were anxious and a little afraid seeking advice and reassurance as they were about to begin one of the most life changing events many would have experienced to that point. It was fun and I am sure made so many of us "veterans" feel good about helping people. Especially because each one of us were in their shoes in the past and could so well relate to them.
But what I have learned now during the Pandemic is that so many of these people have understandable dropped off the radar. They may still read posts but are definitely not posting for obvious reasons.
Interestingly now I read and respond almost daily to help me to hold on to the Camino and get a small fix.
It feels like in the last few months through the discussions and posts and sometimes fun disagreements from the posts of the "hardcore" members have slowly evolved into becoming my internet "family" (funny because I have always shied away from "families" on the camino as I prefer to walk alone and at my own pace). I was going to mention who these people are but I sure don't want to miss anyone and you guys know who you are. There are alot of you.
When I walked the Norte and I think (I don't remember, it sucks growing old) when I walked the Frances last November I posted my intentions on the Calendar. I didn't expect to see many people posting on the Norte or the CF during the times I walked. In reality the Calendar cupboard was bare. I don't know how this would work or even if it is possible but here goes.
I have really grown to love lots of people on this board and I know we all have different schedules and I know we live all over the world but I sure would love to meet some people face to face as so many of you do not know it but to me you have become friends whose thoughts and opinions I look forward to reading even if I may have a different take on things.
I wonder (I am also assuming if a pilgrim wants to) if there is a way to let other pilgrims know where we will be when we are on Camino and forum friends could meet for a coffee or dinner along the way or maybe even better still, and easier to meet in Santiago when we arrive from different caminos and having started walking at different times, locations and speed. Just maybe meet up at Pilgrim House or if Ivar has an office just to say hello leave them a little donation to show our gratitude and go off and have a coffee or a meal. I have no idea if this is doable or practical or if the calendar can be adjusted to accommodate this, but there are a whole lot of you out there I would love to say hello to even if it is just for a 30 minute coffee at that cafe above the square to the right of the cathedral. I have only walked into Santiago 5 times so how can you expect me to know the name of that square hahaha
P.S. I will be walking the VDLP next October if all the Camino Gods align properly. If not who knows??? Certainly not me but I will be thankful whenever that day comes.