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LIVE from the Camino What do you do when something goes wrong.

ggtree

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Francis June 2018
Greetings everyone. I have just completed walking from the far south east point of Portugal, all the way up the coast line, Santiago, Muxia then Fisterra. Getting ready for my return to Santiago then home to California when I received a phone call that my husband had a heart attack and was in critical condition. What do you do? How do you get home to the man who means more to you than life itself?

I’m sure this is a thought that has popped into the heads of many pilgrims “what do I
If...? While I sit at the airport and await my flight back home I thought it would be productive to let you know what I have learned.

The Camino provides. First of all, my Pension had perhaps the best internet connection I have seen in all of Spain and Portugal. I contacted my airline and they not only changed the date of my flight from Lisbon to Sacramento but assisted me in getting a flight from the north of Portugal to Lisbon.

I will have to spend 12 hours here in Lisbon for my flight and, since I’m flying first class, I am given Cart Blanche in the first class lounge. I decided to book a hotel and they provided transportation.

Everyone from the airline ticket agents, to the taxi drivers, to the hotel clerks have been so wonder and accommodating.

I guess my message is, please, don’t worry. If something bad happens, there is a reason, and the lesson you will learn will be valuable. What will be will be. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your Camino. Each day brings new challenges and new learning experiences.
 

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Good luck with your travels home.
I had a similar experience in 2019. I was walking from Le Puy to SdC, when I got a text message as I arrived in Hontanas that my sister was in the ICU. Fortunately, I had stayed in the region several time and knew the various means of transporation involved to get to the airport in Bilbao. I was at her bedside in Cincinnati in about 48 hours.
 
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Greetings everyone. I have just completed walking from the far south east point of Portugal, all the way up the coast line, Santiago, Muxia then Fisterra. Getting ready for my return to Santiago then home to California when I received a phone call that my husband had a heart attack and was in critical condition. What do you do? How do you get home to the man who means more to you than life itself?

I’m sure this is a thought that has popped into the heads of many pilgrims “what do I
If...? While I sit at the airport and await my flight back home I thought it would be productive to let you know what I have learned.

The Camino provides. First of all, my Pension had perhaps the best internet connection I have seen in all of Spain and Portugal. I contacted my airline and they not only changed the date of my flight from Lisbon to Sacramento but assisted me in getting a flight from the north of Portugal to Lisbon.

I will have to spend 12 hours here in Lisbon for my flight and, since I’m flying first class, I am given Cart Blanche in the first class lounge. I decided to book a hotel and they provided transportation.

Everyone from the airline ticket agents, to the taxi drivers, to the hotel clerks have been so wonder and accommodating.

I guess my message is, please, don’t worry. If something bad happens, there is a reason, and the lesson you will learn will be valuable. What will be will be. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your Camino. Each day brings new challenges and new learning experiences.

God bless you and your husband.

You managed all of pilgrimage before your heart was hit.

Pray your love pulls through.

Love from SoCal.

Get home safely and buen camino.

For you the camino has just commenced.
 
I wish you a safe journey home, a soft landing, and send a prayer for you to be reunited with your love.

I walked a similarly devastating path in 2014, and I agree with @nycwalking; the camino has just commenced anew for you, but the strength of the one you have just finished will stay with you.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I got severely dehydrated on my first Camino. I ended up, calling 112 and got taken to Ronchavelles. I then decided that at 75 I should turn into a tourist. So I got a taxi to Pamploma. I then got a train ticket to Madrid to do some tourist type things.

When I sat down on the train my son called me to say that one of the students where he was studying has "flipped out" and had a "kill list" with his name on it. At that time he had an armed body guard protecting him.

So I decided that it would be best to quit the Camino and being a tourist and get home, California, as fast as I could. By the time I got back the "problem" had been found and things were rerning to normal.

I would recommend having your cell phone with you and also having some extra cash for unexpected things.
 
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The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Greetings everyone. I have just completed walking from the far south east point of Portugal, all the way up the coast line, Santiago, Muxia then Fisterra. Getting ready for my return to Santiago then home to California when I received a phone call that my husband had a heart attack and was in critical condition. What do you do? How do you get home to the man who means more to you than life itself?

I’m sure this is a thought that has popped into the heads of many pilgrims “what do I
If...? While I sit at the airport and await my flight back home I thought it would be productive to let you know what I have learned.

The Camino provides. First of all, my Pension had perhaps the best internet connection I have seen in all of Spain and Portugal. I contacted my airline and they not only changed the date of my flight from Lisbon to Sacramento but assisted me in getting a flight from the north of Portugal to Lisbon.

I will have to spend 12 hours here in Lisbon for my flight and, since I’m flying first class, I am given Cart Blanche in the first class lounge. I decided to book a hotel and they provided transportation.

Everyone from the airline ticket agents, to the taxi drivers, to the hotel clerks have been so wonder and accommodating.

I guess my message is, please, don’t worry. If something bad happens, there is a reason, and the lesson you will learn will be valuable. What will be will be. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your Camino. Each day brings new challenges and new learning experiences.
So sorry to hear this Safe journey home and pray your husband will get better.
 
You are right the Camino and God will provide. I am glad your transportation worked out. I am well aware of the Cardiac care in the Sacramento Area and your husband is in good hands. I hope the outcome is positive. Our prayers are with you

Bob from Grass Valley
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
The Camino is a compressed edition of life itself, and can include some major setbacks. I hope this medical emergency has a happy resolution. I'm glad that your journey home has been aided by airline employees and other helping angels. Best wishes to you and your husband.
 
Greetings everyone. I have just completed walking from the far south east point of Portugal, all the way up the coast line, Santiago, Muxia then Fisterra. Getting ready for my return to Santiago then home to California when I received a phone call that my husband had a heart attack and was in critical condition. What do you do? How do you get home to the man who means more to you than life itself?

I’m sure this is a thought that has popped into the heads of many pilgrims “what do I
If...? While I sit at the airport and await my flight back home I thought it would be productive to let you know what I have learned.

The Camino provides. First of all, my Pension had perhaps the best internet connection I have seen in all of Spain and Portugal. I contacted my airline and they not only changed the date of my flight from Lisbon to Sacramento but assisted me in getting a flight from the north of Portugal to Lisbon.

I will have to spend 12 hours here in Lisbon for my flight and, since I’m flying first class, I am given Cart Blanche in the first class lounge. I decided to book a hotel and they provided transportation.

Everyone from the airline ticket agents, to the taxi drivers, to the hotel clerks have been so wonder and accommodating.

I guess my message is, please, don’t worry. If something bad happens, there is a reason, and the lesson you will learn will be valuable. What will be will be. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your Camino. Each day brings new challenges and new learning experiences.
Thank you for those encouraging words. I have said prayers for you both at this difficult time, and wish you both well.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Greetings everyone. I have just completed walking from the far south east point of Portugal, all the way up the coast line, Santiago, Muxia then Fisterra. Getting ready for my return to Santiago then home to California when I received a phone call that my husband had a heart attack and was in critical condition. What do you do? How do you get home to the man who means more to you than life itself?

I’m sure this is a thought that has popped into the heads of many pilgrims “what do I
If...? While I sit at the airport and await my flight back home I thought it would be productive to let you know what I have learned.

The Camino provides. First of all, my Pension had perhaps the best internet connection I have seen in all of Spain and Portugal. I contacted my airline and they not only changed the date of my flight from Lisbon to Sacramento but assisted me in getting a flight from the north of Portugal to Lisbon.

I will have to spend 12 hours here in Lisbon for my flight and, since I’m flying first class, I am given Cart Blanche in the first class lounge. I decided to book a hotel and they provided transportation.

Everyone from the airline ticket agents, to the taxi drivers, to the hotel clerks have been so wonder and accommodating.

I guess my message is, please, don’t worry. If something bad happens, there is a reason, and the lesson you will learn will be valuable. What will be will be. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your Camino. Each day brings new challenges and new learning experiences.
May your way continue to be smoothed, and may your heart be comforted. I expect by the time I am reading this you are at least on your way. Sending my best and warmest wishes for your trip, and most of all for your. husband's health. Love and blessings!
Jane
 
A virtual hug will have to do when the distance is so great.

As I read through your post after reading the title to the Thread, your real life situation provided some inspiring guidance for dealing with unexpected life emergencies. It takes no small emotional effort to be able to compartmentalize feelings of panic and anxiety and desperation, in order to implement a plan to get back home.

My prayers and thoughts are on you and your husband. As things unfold, my wish is that healing and health returns to your husband, and that in the passing days you and your family are given the strength you need.

May God be with you and your family; and here on earth, you know that you have friends on this Forum who sincerely care about you.

Dave
 
Last edited:
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Greetings everyone. I have just completed walking from the far south east point of Portugal, all the way up the coast line, Santiago, Muxia then Fisterra. Getting ready for my return to Santiago then home to California when I received a phone call that my husband had a heart attack and was in critical condition. What do you do? How do you get home to the man who means more to you than life itself?

I’m sure this is a thought that has popped into the heads of many pilgrims “what do I
If...? While I sit at the airport and await my flight back home I thought it would be productive to let you know what I have learned.

The Camino provides. First of all, my Pension had perhaps the best internet connection I have seen in all of Spain and Portugal. I contacted my airline and they not only changed the date of my flight from Lisbon to Sacramento but assisted me in getting a flight from the north of Portugal to Lisbon.

I will have to spend 12 hours here in Lisbon for my flight and, since I’m flying first class, I am given Cart Blanche in the first class lounge. I decided to book a hotel and they provided transportation.

Everyone from the airline ticket agents, to the taxi drivers, to the hotel clerks have been so wonder and accommodating.

I guess my message is, please, don’t worry. If something bad happens, there is a reason, and the lesson you will learn will be valuable. What will be will be. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your Camino. Each day brings new challenges and new learning experiences.
🙏🏻🙏🏻
 
I am hugging you, ggtree, from Pennsylvania! Know that each and everyone of us are with you in Spirit as you make your way home. Please, if you have the psychic energy, keep in contact with us! We are here for you and will enfold
you in prayer!
 
I had a similar thing happen while walking the Norte in 2019. My mother had a severe stroke and it took a drive by our casa rural owner, two trains, three flights and an Uber to get to her bedside in hospital in Phoenix. Everyone along the way could not have been more helpful, including my airline (Air France).

My very best wishes for your husband's complete healing and recovery, and for you, a safe journey home and the strength and energy to assist him in the days and weeks going forward.
 
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The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.

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