How many of you have reconnected on the forum?

[peregrina2000]

We have lots of stories about people who have met others via the forum and later got together in real time, real life. I probably have almost two dozen new buddies,, forum members who are now real people to me and whose friendship I very much enjoy.

But how about the reverse? I just saw that @Davey Boyd and @SterreO had an unexpected rendezvous on the forum and it made me smile. It also made me remember that it was thanks to the forum that I reconnected with @mla1, whom I had met in 2000 on my very first Camino Francés. I think she noticed that it was me, because 15 years later I was still wearing the same green fleece.

I bet there are others who have fallen out of touch with camino pals and then happened upon them coincidentally on the forum. Just goes to show what a wonderful resource we have, both for making new friends and finding old ones. Thanks to Ivar, of course!

 

[naplesdon]

Thank you Laurie for the comment,
I miss old members like Mendiwalker and Mark Allen for their wit and frankness.
Thanks you, Ivar we have this valuable resource.

 

[Kiwi-family]

We met an Australian who memorably recited a Banjo Patterson poem at Zamora one night,....we walked with him a bit, stayed in touch off-forum a little....and when he turned up on another thread recently it was exactly like bumping into an old friend. Hi @digger
Additionally I had someone very kindly PM me to check I hadn’t been offended on the “Not a serious thread” as I had disappeared from it. I had just been limiting my online time and as much as red socks and elephants were amusing, I just couldn’t keep up. Now it’s so long I could never catch up!

 

[KinkyOne]

Me and @peregrina2000 have nice story about how we met for the first time (well, it wasn't a reconnection). Maybe Laurie herself should tell it

 

[domigee]

and as much as red socks and elephants were amusing, I just couldn’t keep up. Now it’s so long I could never catch up!

I can’t either!

To keep on topic.... no, I haven’t recognised on the forum anyone I happened to walk with.... just the other way around...
Mind you, I lost my glasses quite early on on this last Camino and ended up not saying hello to anyone, just because I couldn’t see them!

 

[domigee]

Me and @peregrina2000 have nice story about how we met for the first time (well, it wasn't a reconnection). Maybe Laurie herself should tell it

We want to hear it!

 

[peregrina2000]

We want to hear it!

I was in a cheap pensión in León, on my way to the shared bathroom down the hall, when I saw two people talking and gesturing about crashed phones or viruses or some modern technological problem. As I passed them, one of the two looked up and asked -- "Laurie?" Turns out it was Kinky, who must have recognized my head of short shocking white hair. Unfortunately, his phone problems got in the way of his leaving on the Salvador the next morning, so our only interaction then was a beer in the café down the street outside the phone store. But hey, we have since reconnected in Santiago, and of course we routinely hurl insults at each other with our political arguments (all in a PM, not on the forum, of course )

I've now decided that my white hair is a camino asset. I think it is what also led to my meeting @wisepilgrim on the route to Finisterre, when he decided who I was based on my forum picture.

 

[domigee]

Aaah, memories of the Camino! Very nice. Thank you for sharing

 

[KinkyOne]

And later we reconnected in La Robla.
And much later in SdC with @jerbear . Ahhh, this guy have some stories to tell

I didn't really count but I think I met like two dozens of forum members so far. Which I think is pretty good statistics

Ah, yes, @SYates being the last this year. An honor!

 

[andywild]

I met well over ten people(probably pushing fifteen) from here when I walked in April/may this year. It was great to be wandering along and then hear "you're that Andy wild guy!.. I recognise the beard".. some were a quick hello and others shared a drink or two..
I am also walking the Portuguese in a couple of weeks with another member from here (well, from the Netherlands but we speak on here) .. we haven't met in real life yet so maybe I should say we're starting the walk together.. there's a strong chance that after a day or two in my company she will decide she needs some alone time

 

[KinkyOne]

...we haven't met in real life yet so maybe I should say we're starting the walk together.. there's a strong chance that after a day or two in my company she will decide she needs some alone time

You're a Olympics range snorer?

 

[VNwalking]

But how about the reverse?

Never yet, Laurie. At least not that I'm aware of.
But it's certainly been a joy to meet people 'out there' who I only know here.

 

[jsalt]

But how about the reverse?

In 2012 my husband came on my first camino, from Lisbon to Santiago. After about 10 days he had to stop walking as his leg would swell up, although he was on warfarin and using a compression stocking. He was worried about me walking on alone, and asked a nice young man, called John, if I could walk with him next day. John kindly assented. From Coimbra my husband flew home, I reunited with a couple from SA, and we never saw John again. About 3 years later I saw a post on this forum, and I knew it was him – we have since been in contact with pms – but thank you again @johns for looking after me that day!
Jill

 

[Paladina]

Strangely, most of the pilgrims I encountered along the way, and some of whom I thought I could identify, denied being members of this forum. They weren’t under interrogation, honestly!

 

[Chris Day]

I met Bradypus on a Camino and was delighted to come across him on the Forum later and have some contact, picking his brains. Also folk such as Alan and Bill from Canada who I met up with and walked part of the VdlP after connecting on the forum spring to mind, as does Catherine from Sussex UK for the Frances Route - all great company and very fond memories. Meeting up again subsequently in a planned way whilst "on Camino", walking again in other years or meeting up again at the end in Santiago with folk I've met on previous Caminos is great too - Ton from Canada (four years); two different Pats from Ireland; Paul and Eileen also Ireland as well as Jo from Suffolk UK. All lovely folk.

However, what I find truly amazing and an incredible blessing is randomly coming across folk again by chance on the trails who I've met on past Caminos - this year checking in to an Albergue in Arzua, Buz from the States happened to be the third person sharing a room (after a three year gap); a couple from Washington State on Frances a year on from the first meeting. On my "Winter Camino" this year, when there weren't actually too many other folk on the trail, a young Spanish student who I'd come across the previous Spring. As I say, awesome experiences when they happen and always a delight....Camino surprises and such wonderful people to randomly reconnect with.

 

[Former member 49149]

Connected, more so than re-connected. I have only once re-connected, with a pilgrim from Jerusalem who passed through the area where I was hospitalera and four years later we met on the way up to El Perdon. Others I have met in person as a result of connection on the forum. I look forward to meeting still more, so if anyone is passing through Dublin and wants to meet, just pm me.

 

[Annette london]

We have lots of stories about people who have met others via the forum and later got together in real time, real life. I probably have almost two dozen new buddies,, forum members who are now real people to me and whose friendship I very much enjoy.

But how about the reverse? I just saw that @Davey Boyd and @SterreO had an unexpected rendezvous on the forum and it made me smile. It also made me remember that it was thanks to the forum that I reconnected with @mla1, whom I had met in 2000 on my very first Camino Francés. I think she noticed that it was me, because 15 years later I was still wearing the same green fleece.

I bet there are others who have fallen out of touch with camino pals and then happened upon them coincidentally on the forum. Just goes to show what a wonderful resource we have, both for making new friends and finding old ones. Thanks to Ivar, of course!

I guess it's never too late to make a new friend......whether on or off the Camino
Some amazing stories about people reconnecting again.

Although we've never reconnected ON the Camino, we have met people again on returning home ......2 pilgrims that we walked with in 2015
Also in contact by email with some we met in 2005 on our first Camino

2 years ago and a PM got me connected with a lovely lady from north California ...
We emailed for some time and then she came to stay with us in London for 10 days whilst on her way to her Camino ..
We had a great time walking and talking, and she met all the family ...from Ireland and England. We certainly had a good knees up!

This year another PM and I was connected with Kirkie, a forum member ...we've already met in Dublin....and due to meet again in 2 weeks time ......a lot of "Camino talk" due to take place I'm sure!!!

I guess watching this forum is becoming as addictive as is walking the Camino!!!
Best wishes
Annette

 

[domigee]

I guess watching this forum is becoming as addictive as is walking the Camino!!!
Best wishes
Annette

Yep, it sure is!
But it’s because we can’t be on the Camino all the time, well, I can’t anyway

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I picked my forum name to help others recognize us and it worked. Veteran pilgrim @martyseville found us. He helped us on days 0, 1 and 2 of our trip.

 

[Icacos]

I was fairly new to the forum when I walked in 2013, having joined up only six months previously. A stranger approached me in the Burgos albergue when he recognized the forum badge on my pack - which I had forgotten was there - and we got talking; it was dear Sagalouts. My companions and I crossed paths with him several times over the next three weeks or so. Many of the forum members will know that he passed away two years later while on camino. This month marks the third anniversary of his death.

There is a very touching video of an interview with him the day before he died, in which he says, "I'd be happy if I died tomorrow." Rest in peace, Sagalouts.

 

[domigee]

I was fairly new to the forum when I walked in 2013, having joined up only six months previously. A stranger approached me in the Burgos albergue when he recognized the forum badge on my pack - which I had forgotten was there - and we got talking; it was dear Sagalouts. My companions and I crossed paths with him several times over the next three weeks or so. Many of the forum members will know that he passed away two years later while on camino. This month marks the third anniversary of his death.

There is a very touching video of an interview with him the day before he died, in which he says, "I'd be happy if I died tomorrow." Rest in peace, Sagalouts.

Sad. I wish I had met him too. Relish the memories.

 

[KinkyOne]

I was fairly new to the forum when I walked in 2013, having joined up only six months previously. A stranger approached me in the Burgos albergue when he recognized the forum badge on my pack - which I had forgotten was there - and we got talking; it was dear Sagalouts. My companions and I crossed paths with him several times over the next three weeks or so. Many of the forum members will know that he passed away two years later while on camino. This month marks the third anniversary of his death.

There is a very touching video of an interview with him the day before he died, in which he says, "I'd be happy if I died tomorrow." Rest in peace, Sagalouts.

Oh, my,...

I remember that video at the bar counter, with a vloging girl (from USA I think). And you had the opportunity to meet THE man. I envy you!

 

[Davey Boyd]

I was fairly new to the forum when I walked in 2013, having joined up only six months previously. A stranger approached me in the Burgos albergue when he recognized the forum badge on my pack - which I had forgotten was there - and we got talking; it was dear Sagalouts. My companions and I crossed paths with him several times over the next three weeks or so. Many of the forum members will know that he passed away two years later while on camino. This month marks the third anniversary of his death.

There is a very touching video of an interview with him the day before he died, in which he says, "I'd be happy if I died tomorrow." Rest in peace, Sagalouts.

I have only met one pilgrim in real life from this forum, even though I wear the patch on my rucksack. In 2015 I met a guy at a bar in Roncesvalles, we had a good chat, he was a funny and interesting man. When I asked him why he walks the camino again and again he answered 'I'm still learning to be a better pilgrim'.

Unknown to me at the time this was Sagalouts. He died soon (days) after on this, his last camino. I did not know it was him until I saw the video that was released. I was utterly shocked. I remember his funny posts on here well. Last year walking back from Santiago to France I passed his memorial by the wayside and said goodbye.

RIP Sagalouts, you were an inspiration to me.

Davey

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I met a very outgoing and witty Australian lady on the camino in 2001, who saved my skin when I dragged my bedraggled carcass off the Dragonte Route into a packed-out and heaving O Cebreiro. Her deluxe en-suite hotel room had an extra single bed in it...! I took the finest, hottest bath of my life that evening.
I lost touch with Jill farther down the road.
But I found her again a few years ago, here on Ivar's forum, calling herself Kanga!
Still outgoing, still witty, and all the more wise for the passage of time. And now and then we walk again together. The Camino is a wonderful thing.

 

[KinkyOne]

I met a very outgoing and witty Australian lady on the camino in 2001, who saved my skin when I dragged my bedraggled carcass off the Dragonte Route into a packed-out and heaving O Cebreiro. Her deluxe en-suite hotel room had an extra single bed in it...! I took the finest, hottest bath of my life that evening.
I lost touch with Jill farther down the road.
But I found her again a few years ago, here on Ivar's forum, calling herself Kanga!
Still outgoing, still witty, and all the more wise for the passage of time. And now and then we walk again together. The Camino is a wonderful thing.

Hey, that's really beautifully put!!!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I'd seen posts by @jpflavin1 on the forum and after I announced in early 2017 that I was walking the Frances again, he posted "I'm going at the same time as you. Look for the guy wearing a 'Life is Good' hat." I thought to myself "Yeah, right, like that's gonna happen". Well, a guy started chatting to me as I rested on a rock at the Ibaneta pass, and sure enough he was wearing that hat, and yes, it was Joe!
Another forum person said to look for him, too, that he'd be bringing his 6 year old and bribing him with chocolate. I responded I'd be bringing my two adult sons and would be bribing them with wine. Well, Steve was from Hong Kong and on another hill resting a short time later, I heard a man telling someone he lived in Hong Kong. I then asked him if he was Hong Kong Steve, and sure enough it was him!
Also, I've had the pleasure of meeting up with one of the forum gurus for a local hike, @peregrina2000, Laurie, who started this thread, and Joe joined us, too!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

One great way to meet, or re-encounter old friends or Forum Legends, is to become a Camino Ditch Pig! This forum sent the very first Pig, Tyrrek, way back about 2009?? And has fostered several stalwarts ever since. SheffieldJames is a great standby, and JPFlavin, and Jacques Piguet, and BiarritzDon, and even WisePilgrim!

 

[Davey Boyd]

I have actually thought about doing this before, unfortunately I couldn't at that time. Seems a great way to give something back to the camino, and meeting nice people too.

Is there a place to find out about it or can you keep us informed when/where etc?

Thanks for reminding me Rebekah
Davey

 

[KinkyOne]

One great way to meet, or re-encounter old friends or Forum Legends, is to become a Camino Ditch Pig! This forum sent the very first Pig, Tyrrek, way back about 2009?? And has fostered several stalwarts ever since. SheffieldJames is a great standby, and JPFlavin, and Jacques Piguet, and BiarritzDon, and even WisePilgrim!

I might start a "Fund me" campaign to come

 

[dee bright]

We have lots of stories about people who have met others via the forum and later got together in real time, real life. I probably have almost two dozen new buddies,, forum members who are now real people to me and whose friendship I very much enjoy.

But how about the reverse? I just saw that @Davey Boyd and @SterreO had an unexpected rendezvous on the forum and it made me smile. It also made me remember that it was thanks to the forum that I reconnected with @mla1, whom I had met in 2000 on my very first Camino Francés. I think she noticed that it was me, because 15 years later I was still wearing the same green fleece.

I bet there are others who have fallen out of touch with camino pals and then happened upon them coincidentally on the forum. Just goes to show what a wonderful resource we have, both for making new friends and finding old ones. Thanks to Ivar, of course!

I actually met up with two gals I met on the Camino (Frances route) when I visited New Zealand. The three of us did a trek together while I was there. And, if my foot will cooperate, one of them and I are planning to walk the Camino del Norte this Spring!

 

[wayfarer]

I have had the pleasure of connecting with the following members along the way: Ivar, Faith, Lydia Gillen, Madidi, Pilgrim b, Don, Reb and Gidivet. It is always lovely to put a name to a face.

 

[Deleted member 67338]

We have lots of stories about people who have met others via the forum and later got together in real time, real life. I probably have almost two dozen new buddies,, forum members who are now real people to me and whose friendship I very much enjoy.

But how about the reverse? I just saw that @Davey Boyd and @SterreO had an unexpected rendezvous on the forum and it made me smile. It also made me remember that it was thanks to the forum that I reconnected with @mla1, whom I had met in 2000 on my very first Camino Francés. I think she noticed that it was me, because 15 years later I was still wearing the same green fleece.

I bet there are others who have fallen out of touch with camino pals and then happened upon them coincidentally on the forum. Just goes to show what a wonderful resource we have, both for making new friends and finding old ones. Thanks to Ivar, of course!

There’s a thing called Facebook that’s all you need to keep in touch

 

[peregrina2000]

There’s a thing called Facebook that’s all you need to keep in touch

Well as the stampede to leave Facebook continues in wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, I for one prefer to use the forum.

 

[Davey Boyd]

There’s a thing called Facebook that’s all you need to keep in touch

A lot of people I met on camino don't use facebook though! And quite frankly it is awful.

Davey

 

[KinkyOne]

Quite true, @Davey Boyd . I'm one of them.
E-mails or phone numbers work completely OK for me.

I have had the pleasure of connecting with the following members along the way: Ivar, Faith, Lydia Gillen, Madidi, Pilgrim b, Don, Reb and Gidivet. It is always lovely to put a name to a face.

Ahhh, that's nothing, @wayfarer
I know I didn't put all the forum members on the list but there are (at least) 17 of them:
- 1 unknown (saw a Forum patch) and another one from USA,
- @m108 , @ivar , @peregrino_tom , @SYates , @peregrina2000 , @jerbear , @lovingkindness , @edandjoan , @timr and I can't leave out @Charrito of course ,
- 2 Slovenians, 1 from NZ, 2 from Croatia and 1 from Spain (living in UK),
- not to mention those that are casual contacts through e-mails and phone calls.

But always opened for new experiences

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I have actually thought about doing this before, unfortunately I couldn't at that time. Seems a great way to give something back to the camino, and meeting nice people too.

Is there a place to find out about it or can you keep us informed when/where etc?

Thanks for reminding me Rebekah
Davey

Davey you can learn about it at www.peaceableprojects.org , or you can talk to me. This year we will clean up the worst bits of the Camino Portuguese interior, from Porto to Valenca... last week of November.

 

[SabsP]

I lost track of whom I met where in first instance. Forum, Camino or in Belgium, Holland or Ireland? But it was always joyful.
Thank you @Peter Fransiscus , @VNwalking , @LTfit , @Hedwig , @SYates , @ivar ,@kirkie ,@natefaith ,@nellpilgrim ,@anniethenurse ,@Josefine , ,[USER=853]@JohnnieWalker @Arminius.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

It's so nice to meet forum members face to face .
And the result off this is so many lovely memories.

A big thank you , @SabineP , @VNwalking , @SYates , @natefaith , @LesBrass , @Theatregal , @MarcelWals , @JohnnieWalker , @wisepilgrim , @Dennis D , @t2andreo

 

[Via2010]

Hi,

I only met one member of this forum on my last camino, but I do not know if this really counts. I later recognized that he had asked questions here before his journey but it does not seem that he is active here anymore.

In Germany we had a "Pilgerforum" where members met once or twice a year. But now it has been switched off. People seem to prefere Facebook.

Another possibility to meet fellow pilgrims are the local societies and their activities.

For example on November 24th, there will be a common prayer in the "Citykirche" at Koblenz, Jesuitenplatz, at 12.00 o'clock, thanking God for all the wonderful camino experiences this year. Later there is the possibility to sit together and chat and enjoy "Tapas" in a spanish Restaurant.

I am looking forward meeting some of my pilgrim friends on this occasion.

BC
Alexandra

 

[naplesdon]

I got an email from Mark Allen yesterday, he is in Santiago.

 

[SYates]

Hi,

... In Germany we had a "Pilgerforum" where members met once or twice a year. But now it has been switched off. ...

http://www.caminosantiago.eu/pilgerforum/ is still working ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Via2010]

http://www.caminosantiago.eu/pilgerforum/ is still working ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

Yes, I know that one and am already member of it.

 

[SYates]

I know ;-) but I thought I put the url in for other German speakers that might want to know about it ;-)

BC SY

 

[Gary0726]

I’m trying to reconnect with a group of people that I meet on the Camino Frances this past July. There were about 4 women and three men. I cannot recall their names. I visited with them one night in Arzua after the mass. One of the women was a PhD and one a psychologist and one of the men was a male nurse named Manuel the other was a physical therapist. I think they were all from Sevilla. If anyone has any information or a way that I could contact them it would be great.

 

[LesBrass]

I've now decided that my white hair is a camino asset.

I once starting chatting to a lady at Orisson because I thought she was you... she thought I was very strange

 

[LesBrass]

I had dinner with @Peter Fransiscus at Orisson... and we re-aquainted on here I met up with @SYates because of this forum and also became friends with the lovely @nidarosa on here too (and we're walking together in a few weeks! woohoo!) I finally met up with @Magwood this year... which is great as she is one of my walking heroes! And I met @Rebekah Scott walking her dogs one May morning too... she probably had no idea who I was! I hope to meet a few more of you on my travels!

Also I have a walking friend in France (@FLEUR) and I didn't realise she was on here until very recently... so we've chatted before online and I had know idea it was she