Unfortunate wannabe pilgrim

[Xerxes]

I would dearly love to do the Camino, one of the long ones, but unfortunately I am from India and the on-again-off-again COVID scenario is frightening, I am a very fit 68 years old but am worried.
Also from India for a Spanish visa I need to give a very specific itineray, hotel stay each night etc.
In sum I can only read, I don't think I will do the Compostela de Santiago.
But I continue to hope.

 

[David]

Xerxes - don't give up. Covid will pass. You could ask for the aid of a Catholic priest where you live. You could write a clear letter to their embassy explaining how you want to go to Spain to be a pilgrim and therefore a specific itinerary is impossible. Or indeed, make an itinerary of day stages you can do and refugios you would then stay in (it is not as if you will be followed by someone checking up on where you sleep ) .

Spain is a Catholic country so a Spanish embassy or consulate will be in close contact with the Catholic church, will probably have a priest or chaplain on their staff, if so, find out who that is and enlist their aid.

Write to Pope Francis asking for help.

Don't give up.

 

[mspath]

I would dearly love to do the Camino, one of the long ones, but unfortunately I am from India and the on-again-off-again COVID scenario is frightening, I am a very fit 68 years old but am worried.
Also from India for a Spanish visa I need to give a very specific itineray, hotel stay each night etc.
In sum I can only read, I don't think I will do the Compostela de Santiago.
But I continue to hope.

Xerxes,
This earlier thread may help you find a way. Wherever/whenever/however you do travel stay safe and Carpe diem.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Great advice from David and Margaret, Keep walking regularly and do contact the Catholics in your area. Cardinal Suenens who was one of the leading light of Vatican ll, used to say "Blessed are those who dream dreams and work hard to make their dreams come true."
So do keep on trying. I am 78 and am just looking at flights trying to combine my time of volunteering in Santiago with walking the Camino and fitting it all in between family commitments here at home.
Buen Camino

 

[malingerer]

I would dearly love to do the Camino, one of the long ones, but unfortunately I am from India and the on-again-off-again COVID scenario is frightening, I am a very fit 68 years old but am worried.
Also from India for a Spanish visa I need to give a very specific itineray, hotel stay each night etc.
In sum I can only read, I don't think I will do the Compostela de Santiago.
But I continue to hope.

you say with one breath " I don't think I will do" and then " I continue to hope". Cut out the thinking bit and carry on hoping I will be 84 in July and haven't been to Spain since my 80th, thanks to Brexit, pandemics, deformities, infirmities, lack of funds et al: My flight is booked for 19th April, from Bristol. I cant believe that four years have gone into the making but one minute I am weary of the whole bloody thing and the next I cant sleep for thinking of it My sleeping bag is hanging up getting an airing in my bedroom and having been involved for almost 20 years I should be able to pack and be gone in the twinkling of an eye ! The good one that is XERXES is a very powerful name. Live up to it! Walk soft and stay safe but sometimes you have to take a leap.

Buen Camino!

Samarkand.

 

[Antananarivo]

"Blessed are those who dream dreams and work hard to make their dreams come true."

Sharing now this with my 14 year son - God Bless!

 

[trecile]

In 2017 I walked with a guy from India who was on his second Camino, so it can be done!
I remember that he was an author. This is one of his books.

The Mango Tree (In Search Of My Angel Book 1) 1, Parayil, Shaji Jose, Shankar, Ravi, R, Ravi, Sills, Susan, Daniels, Dawn - Amazon.com

The Mango Tree (In Search Of My Angel Book 1) - Kindle edition by Parayil, Shaji Jose, Shankar, Ravi, R, Ravi, Sills, Susan, Daniels, Dawn. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Mango...

www.amazon.com

 

[oursonpolaire]

Xerxes - don't give up. Covid will pass. You could ask for the aid of a Catholic priest where you live. You could write a clear letter to their embassy explaining how you want to go to Spain to be a pilgrim and therefore a specific itinerary is impossible. Or indeed, make an itinerary of day stages you can do and refugios you would then stay in (it is not as if you will be followed by someone checking up on where you sleep ) .

Spain is a Catholic country so a Spanish embassy or consulate will be in close contact with the Catholic church, will probably have a priest or chaplain on their staff, if so, find out who that is and enlist their aid.

Write to Pope Francis asking for help.

Don't give up.

A minor corrective; Spain is legally and constitutionally a sectarian state. While they have military and prison chaplaincies, to my knowledge there are no embassy chaplains-- it's similar to the US and other countries in that manner. Embassies are usually in contact with Spanish clergy in the area, so a Spanish priest in the capital will almost certainly be in regular contact.

 

[Sue127]

Keep dreaming and get planning. You'll get there. Buen Camino

 

[Anniesantiago]

I would dearly love to do the Camino, one of the long ones, but unfortunately I am from India and the on-again-off-again COVID scenario is frightening, I am a very fit 68 years old but am worried.
Also from India for a Spanish visa I need to give a very specific itineray, hotel stay each night etc.
In sum I can only read, I don't think I will do the Compostela de Santiago.
But I continue to hope.

I have a lady from India in my Anniewalkers group this year.
It is not easy but it can be done.
If you go with a group, most will provide the Itinerary you need for your VISA.
I do it.
I know Syl from Amawalkers also will provide the list.
I imagine the others would too.
Best of luck and Buen Camino!