andonius
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances, Ingles, Portugues, Norte, Primitivo, Aragones, Baztan, Sanabres, Finisterre
I consider myself an objective oriented man.
The first time I finished the Camino de Santiago in 2010 (when I was 51), and obtained the long-awaited Compostela (as you can see I am also a man of diplomas…) I set my personal goal of reaching the next Holy Year, which was in 2021, having obtained at least 20 compostelas.
For me it is easier than for most of you, my pilgrim brothers and sisters. I am Spanish and I live in Madrid. The Way is just a stone's throw from my house and any starting point is just a few hours away by train..
When 2021 ended, on the wall of my house there were 22 well achieved Compostelas (despite the damn pandemic and my wife’s claim that I was occupying the whole wall).
Objective accomplished, although the Compostelas are obviously the least of the benefits that I have obtained in all my Caminos. I believe that repeatedly doing the Camino has been my greatest source of personal and spiritual growth in these years, so I thank God for putting the Camino in the way of my life.
I have traveled the Caminos de Santiago in the North of Spain several times: French, Northern, Primitive, Aragonese, Baztán, Winter, English, Portuguese...
I have also arrived a few times to Finisterre and Muxia,,,,
And I am looking for a new goal, although I do not plan to stop walking sections of the Camino de Santiago at all. The Way gives me life and my life is richer when I'm on The Way
Reading and reading, I have discovered that it is considered (at least by spaniards, I guess) that the Five Holiest Shrines of Christianity are Jerusalem (for obvious reasons), Rome (also obvious reasons), Santiago de Compostela (Who will argue?...at least in this wonderful Forum); Santo Toribio de Liebana (a small sanctuary on a branch of the Camino del Norte in Cantabria where the largest piece of the Cross of Christ discovered by Saint Helena in the Ivth century is venerated) and Caravaca de la Cruz (in the region of Murcia, also in Spain, where it is also venerated a smaller piece of the Cross of Christ ).
So I have decided that my next pilgrim goal is to make a pilgrimage on foot to those five shrines.
At first it didn't seem very complicated. Santiago is already achieved.
In December 2023 I did the Camino de la Cruz to Caravaca. An easy way, along an old railway converted into a path and therefore flat and well-equipped, with very varied and beautiful landscape, including an unexpected desert.
In April of this year I walked the Camino to Santo Toribio de Liebana, starting in Santander (Camino del Norte). Although short, it is one of the most beautiful Caminos I have done with an incredible walk along a savage river course and a couple of magnificent mountain stages along wonderful trails and high mountain landscape.
So I have now Rome and Jerusalem left.
Rome is simple. The Via Francigena is perfect for this and I only have to decide when and from where.
But…Jerusalem is something else. Unfortunately, I think we will all agree that this is not the best time to make a walking pilgrimage to Jerusalem. I have been looking at websites and blogs and I don't see that it is very feasible at the moment. I have composed tentative itineraries, I have read the books of the pilgrims who have done it (On the Jerusalem Way is fantastic) and I am informing myself as best I can.
Unlike the rest of my pilgrimages, which I prefer to do alone, I think this is best done with an organized group to reduce possible problems.
Maybe it can't be this year, but as I'm already 65 years old, I don't want to delay it too long...
And here comes, after this long ramble, my question to my fellow pilgrims.
Do you know or have information about any organization or group that organizes walking pilgrimages through Israel to Jerusalem?
Any clue or information that helps me find a way to enter Jerusalem with my hiking shoes and backpack will be welcome.
Buen Camino to you all.
The first time I finished the Camino de Santiago in 2010 (when I was 51), and obtained the long-awaited Compostela (as you can see I am also a man of diplomas…) I set my personal goal of reaching the next Holy Year, which was in 2021, having obtained at least 20 compostelas.
For me it is easier than for most of you, my pilgrim brothers and sisters. I am Spanish and I live in Madrid. The Way is just a stone's throw from my house and any starting point is just a few hours away by train..
When 2021 ended, on the wall of my house there were 22 well achieved Compostelas (despite the damn pandemic and my wife’s claim that I was occupying the whole wall).
Objective accomplished, although the Compostelas are obviously the least of the benefits that I have obtained in all my Caminos. I believe that repeatedly doing the Camino has been my greatest source of personal and spiritual growth in these years, so I thank God for putting the Camino in the way of my life.
I have traveled the Caminos de Santiago in the North of Spain several times: French, Northern, Primitive, Aragonese, Baztán, Winter, English, Portuguese...
I have also arrived a few times to Finisterre and Muxia,,,,
And I am looking for a new goal, although I do not plan to stop walking sections of the Camino de Santiago at all. The Way gives me life and my life is richer when I'm on The Way
Reading and reading, I have discovered that it is considered (at least by spaniards, I guess) that the Five Holiest Shrines of Christianity are Jerusalem (for obvious reasons), Rome (also obvious reasons), Santiago de Compostela (Who will argue?...at least in this wonderful Forum); Santo Toribio de Liebana (a small sanctuary on a branch of the Camino del Norte in Cantabria where the largest piece of the Cross of Christ discovered by Saint Helena in the Ivth century is venerated) and Caravaca de la Cruz (in the region of Murcia, also in Spain, where it is also venerated a smaller piece of the Cross of Christ ).
So I have decided that my next pilgrim goal is to make a pilgrimage on foot to those five shrines.
At first it didn't seem very complicated. Santiago is already achieved.
In December 2023 I did the Camino de la Cruz to Caravaca. An easy way, along an old railway converted into a path and therefore flat and well-equipped, with very varied and beautiful landscape, including an unexpected desert.
In April of this year I walked the Camino to Santo Toribio de Liebana, starting in Santander (Camino del Norte). Although short, it is one of the most beautiful Caminos I have done with an incredible walk along a savage river course and a couple of magnificent mountain stages along wonderful trails and high mountain landscape.
So I have now Rome and Jerusalem left.
Rome is simple. The Via Francigena is perfect for this and I only have to decide when and from where.
But…Jerusalem is something else. Unfortunately, I think we will all agree that this is not the best time to make a walking pilgrimage to Jerusalem. I have been looking at websites and blogs and I don't see that it is very feasible at the moment. I have composed tentative itineraries, I have read the books of the pilgrims who have done it (On the Jerusalem Way is fantastic) and I am informing myself as best I can.
Unlike the rest of my pilgrimages, which I prefer to do alone, I think this is best done with an organized group to reduce possible problems.
Maybe it can't be this year, but as I'm already 65 years old, I don't want to delay it too long...
And here comes, after this long ramble, my question to my fellow pilgrims.
Do you know or have information about any organization or group that organizes walking pilgrimages through Israel to Jerusalem?
Any clue or information that helps me find a way to enter Jerusalem with my hiking shoes and backpack will be welcome.
Buen Camino to you all.
