My apologies to Hape Kerkeling for taking the title of his worldwide bestseller about how, in 2001, he was lost and found himself walking the Way to Santiago. At the time, this famous German comedian was dealing with a personal tragedy. He wasn't sure who he was and where his life was going. Nevertheless, the book was a great success in Germany. To this day, he gets credit for increasing German participation in Camino. His book is now an international bestseller, translated into eleven languages and has sold over three million copies. The movie only expanded his reach and, once again, increased the number of pilgrims.
In some ways, I am at a crossroads in my life. That said, I truly know who I am and where I am going. I'm going on Camino!
I first considered walking the Way in the early 2000s and joined the Forum in 2007. Over the years, many threads speak of rushing to find a bed (sans bedbugs), how to travel from where you are to where you want to begin, how much your pack should weigh, and who is a real pilgrim. Today we worry that COVID remains just around the corner, a corner many of us are not willing to turn. Well, not yet in any case.
On August 25th, I board a plane in the USA and fly into Madrid. My initial plan takes me by train to Pamplona, remain overnight, and then take (share) a taxi to SJPDP. A stop at Orisson begins a leisurely walk to Pamplona, where I expect to arrive on September 1st.
I've purposely planned, not to prepare very much. Although I have some stops I'd like to revisit (the Peaceable Kingdom), I have a plane to catch on October 5th; for the most part, I'll let the Camino lead the Way.
I hope that pilgrims on or who are about to commence their Camino will encourage, by their experiences, long-time and first-time pilgrims to usher in a Kirkeling-like wave for Holy Year 2021-22.
Buen Camino,
Arn
In some ways, I am at a crossroads in my life. That said, I truly know who I am and where I am going. I'm going on Camino!
I first considered walking the Way in the early 2000s and joined the Forum in 2007. Over the years, many threads speak of rushing to find a bed (sans bedbugs), how to travel from where you are to where you want to begin, how much your pack should weigh, and who is a real pilgrim. Today we worry that COVID remains just around the corner, a corner many of us are not willing to turn. Well, not yet in any case.
On August 25th, I board a plane in the USA and fly into Madrid. My initial plan takes me by train to Pamplona, remain overnight, and then take (share) a taxi to SJPDP. A stop at Orisson begins a leisurely walk to Pamplona, where I expect to arrive on September 1st.
I've purposely planned, not to prepare very much. Although I have some stops I'd like to revisit (the Peaceable Kingdom), I have a plane to catch on October 5th; for the most part, I'll let the Camino lead the Way.
I hope that pilgrims on or who are about to commence their Camino will encourage, by their experiences, long-time and first-time pilgrims to usher in a Kirkeling-like wave for Holy Year 2021-22.
Buen Camino,
Arn