September 2014 Peregrinos

[Mike Savage]

Arrived in Santiago on the 18, limping but completed! Thrilled to see my wife who met me there. We are now in Paris seeing the sights and ready to fly home tomorrow!

It's been a Buen Camino. Thanks for all the insight from the forum. Fred, take care of yourself, you are a good man!

That is great. Congratulations and have a great time in Paris!

 

[DeadFred]

Arrived in Santiago on the 18, limping but completed! Thrilled to see my wife who met me there. We are now in Paris seeing the sights and ready to fly home tomorrow!

It's been a Buen Camino. Thanks for all the insight from the forum. Fred, take care of yourself, you are a good man!

Congratulations walkingman6 and thank you!!!

 

[JoeNYC]

In Arzua today. Won't be long now.
Weather has been great. No problem finding beds after Sarria.

 

[LesBrass]

Fred I was really sad to read about your problems... you were the life and soul of this thread and got us all rounded up and ready to go... I do hope your problems are resolved and solutions found so that you can continue to enjoy life to the full!

I finished on the 21st and met my husband and son in Santiago... and we drove home on the 22nd. It was an emotional drive, covering the distance in 7 hours what had taken me 5 weeks to walk. Loved almost every minute... and I may even walk again one day!

 

[DeadFred]

LeBrass! ^5! for making it and 3x that for enjoying it!. I appreciate what you say and want you to know that although I an injured I am also awestruck with the 130 + miles I was able to walk and the friends I met and the history I was able to experience. I'll never forget .
Thank you regarding your comments on the thread , I miss all the interaction. I heard from petitewalker, barb1586, Joe NYC(above) ,BernaticesM and walkingman6 they too have either made it or are getting real close.

So here we are on the other side of the thread, Our Camino is still going btw , it'll never stop , some have made it to Santiago , others(like me) somewhat shorter versions but I don't believe it ever ends really.

After Logrono Laurie and I spent several recovery days in Barcelona ( Whoa!) then headed home . Back to work tomorrow and then getting my website dusted off. Don't forget to visit on occasion ( http://www.deadfred.com ) or stop by and say hi on Facebook @ Joe Bott .

Take care Lady

 

[JoeNYC]

Arrived in Santiago yesterday October 28th which happens to be my anniversary. It was an odd feeling that this journey which began in St. Jean more than a month ago was "completed".

I'm clearly not ready to leave. Heading by bus to Finesterre today, then back to Santiago for a few more days to spend time with my Camino buddies.

 

[petitewalker]

I am now back. Arrived last night at midnight. It is good to be hme, but I will miss my Camino friends and the most wonderful experience of my life taking a walk through history and across such a beautiful country. I can't say enough about this website, forum and our great group of Sept. Peregrinos. As was once said " I'LL BE BACK"

 

[Mike Savage]

Arrived in Santiago yesterday October 28th which happens to be my anniversary. It was an odd feeling that this journey which began in St. Jean more than a month ago was "completed".

I'm clearly not ready to leave. Heading by bus to Finnestere today, then back to Santiago for a few more days to spend time with my Camino buddies.

Congratulations Joe! Enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[Mike Savage]

I am now back. Arrived last night at midnight. It is good to be hme, but I will miss my Camino friends and the most wonderful experience of my life taking a walk through history and across such a beautiful country. I can't say enough about this website, forum and our great group of Sept. Peregrinos. As was once said " I'LL BE BACK"

I'm glad you made it home safely.

 

[DeadFred]

Arrived in Santiago yesterday October 28th which happens to be my anniversary. It was an odd feeling that this journey which began in St. Jean more than a month ago was "completed".

I'm clearly not ready to leave. Heading by bus to Finnestere today, then back to Santiago for a few more days to spend time with my Camino buddies.

Congratulations Joe!!!

 

[DeadFred]

I am now back. Arrived last night at midnight. It is good to be hme, but I will miss my Camino friends and the most wonderful experience of my life taking a walk through history and across such a beautiful country. I can't say enough about this website, forum and our great group of Sept. Peregrinos. As was once said " I'LL BE BACK"

Welcome home

 

[petitewalker]

Arrived in Santiago yesterday October 28th which happens to be my anniversary. It was an odd feeling that this journey which began in St. Jean more than a month ago was "completed".

I'm clearly not ready to leave. Heading by bus to Finesterre today, then back to Santiago for a few more days to spend time with my Camino buddies.

If you get a chance, go to Muxia, it is mich more magical (in my opinion) than Finesterre.

 

[Jabaldo]

My wife and I completed our first leg of the Camino. We started in SJPP on the 16th of September and made it to Leon. Returned home via the Queen Mary 2. As my wife puts it the Camino is camping and there was no better way to go home in her mind. We met some very interesting people along the way. People from all over the world. What fun was it to have dinner with total strangers and at the end of dinner friends. The Albergues for the most part were great. Some like every thing in life are better then others. Some not so good but fair. The food for the most part was subpar. It was food. We did stop the pilgrim meals and headed out to restaurants and ate off the menu meals. Things got better, the wine none better.
I keep asking myself what did I learn? Did I change? Would I go back? Did I receive spiritual guidance?
The book I brought with me to read was "a conversation with God". It was a perfect book to read.
I learned that people are all the same. We all want the same, to raise our families, provide for them, give them an education and to give our families a future. I always new this but it was more evident along the Camino. All the restaurants, all the albergues, all the commercialism offered to us pilgrim. This is the one thing the turned me off. I felt that the Camino has become over commercialized. But in thinking of people trying to care for there families this is the only solution. I just hope in years to come it isn't over done.
Did I change, I think so. I am not so quick to judge. I try to find the good and only the good. There is so much bad in the world why look for it. The spiritual guidance came from the reading of my book. If you haven't read it I suggest you do. It is an easy read but be prepared to question everything.
Would I go back, YES in a minute. I would do some things differently knowing what I know but none the less I enjoyed the whole experience.
The more I am home the more I reflect on that experience. It was life changing.
Buen Camino

 

[JGun87]

In Melide today after getting bed bugs in O Ceb and even worse pneumonia in Sarria. Started walking again a few days again but I might be here in Melide for another night if it rains tomorrow (it is sprinkling now). I am so proud of all you who have been on this journey with me. I plan to get to Snatiago on Nov 6.

 

[Mike Savage]

In Melide today after getting bed bugs in O Ceb and even worse pneumonia in Sarria. Started walking again a few days again but I might be here in Melide for another night if it rains tomorrow (it is sprinkling now). I am so proud of all you who have been on this journey with me. I plan to get to Snatiago on Nov 6.

I do hope you get better and the bedbugs leave you alone! Buen Camino.

 

[DragonflyAnnie]

Our Camino journey began in SJPP on 4 September 2014 and successfully ended approx 800kms later in Santiago on 10 October 2014. We arrived home this week after staying on for extra time in Europe. We faced physical and mental challenges every day and had transformations. We met some lovely people along the way and fortunately not so many of the opposite. We met a few forum members.

I kept a journal at http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=470001 - doing this if only for the detail, many same days, many different. Same for photographs although not all pilgrims carried cameras. We saw and enjoyed Spain and it's history in a very unique way.

I will maybe revisit in the future by doing another Camino but first I need time to process this journey and simplify my life.

 

[JoeNYC]

In Melide today after getting bed bugs in O Ceb and even worse pneumonia in Sarria. Started walking again a few days again but I might be here in Melide for another night if it rains tomorrow (it is sprinkling now). I am so proud of all you who have been on this journey with me. I plan to get to Snatiago on Nov 6.

So sorry about the bedbugs. I had heard of others who got them in O Cebreiro at an Albergue.

I got mine at a different one earlier in my Camino and only stayed at Casa ruals and hotels the rest if the way. Nasty little buggers!

 

[LesBrass]

What was it that General MacArthur said about the Philippians? " I shall return" .. might I add "In 2016" ....

BC

Fred our paths may cross... I have a little idea in my head that maybe I'd like to walk again. I can't next year as I have a date with a bike and my husband and 600 km of France... but Sep/Oct 2016 is starting to feel like a good idea?

 

[DeadFred]

Fred our paths may cross... I have a little idea in my head that maybe I'd like to walk again. I can't next year as I have a date with a bike and my husband and 600 km of France... but Sep/Oct 2016 is starting to feel like a good idea? [/QUOTE

Sweet! .. Hmmm might have to starta September 2016 Peregrinos thread sometime ahead me thinks ...

 

[DeadFred]

Just in case anyone is still tuned into this thread I want to tell you a story of something that happened worthy of note while heading to St Jean

Instead of taking the trains/bus etc to St Jean from Madrid we opted for a Taxi , expensive but time saving and direct . Spanish taxi drivers ask that the bill be paid prior to crossing into France ( something about taxes etc) so we stopped at the hotel in Roncevelles . While there we stopped for a sandwich and used the restrooms .

As we were leaving the driveway about to turn right onto the road that takes us over the Mtn to St Jean the lady that runs the hotel comes running up , holding the black waist carry bag that I keep all my valuables in. Apparently, I had left it in the restroom next to the toilet . In the bag were all our credit/debit cards, Drivers license's , cash and passports .. the whole deal ... everything that would pay for and validate our trip .. our exsistence.

I rolled down the car window and took the bag from her . Don't even ask how humble I was .... totally unexplainable . Apparently a guy saw the bag .. took it to the counter , she was there , recognized it and came out to see if we were still in the area.... .. 1 sec? 2 maybe ?.. and we would be in Dark City .... Thought I would mention this to PROVE there are angels watching over us..

Buen Camino

 

[Jason Loke]

Just in case anyone is still tuned into this thread I want to tell you a story of something that happened worthy of note while heading to St Jean

Instead of taking the trains/bus etc to St Jean from Madrid we opted for a Taxi , expensive but time saving and direct . Spanish taxi drivers ask that the bill be paid prior to crossing into France ( something about taxes etc) so we stopped at the hotel in Roncevelles . While there we stopped for a sandwich and used the restrooms .

As we were leaving the driveway about to turn right onto the road that takes us over the Mtn to St Jean the lady that runs the hotel comes running up , holding the black waist carry bag that I keep all my valuables in. Apparently, I had left it in the restroom next to the toilet . In the bag were all our credit/debit cards, Drivers license's , cash and passports .. the whole deal ... everything that would pay for and validate our trip .. our exsistence.

I rolled down the car window and took the bag from her . Don't even ask how humble I was .... totally unexplainable . Apparently a guy saw the bag .. took it to the counter , she was there , recognized it and came out to see if we were still in the area.... .. 1 sec? 2 maybe ?.. and we would be in Dark City .... Thought I would mention this to PROVE there are angels watching over us..

Buen Camino

Hola Fred,
So happy that I took a look at this entry about your amazing episode.
Yes, God sent His angels to help us all on the Camino. I am so fascinated with this story.
Thank God n Praise God.

 

[nidarosa]

On the 'I'll be back' note: Yesterday I booked and printed out my - our - itinerary for March 2015, starting in Astorga again and going to Portugal after to see some sun, sand and sea. We were supposed to do this in September when I ended up going on my own instead, but this time the holiday time is booked, as are the flights and buses! All that's left now is to start packing and repacking and going for trial walks ... Can't wait!

I wish all my fellow peregrinos a peaceful and stressless December and a wonderful new year - I have enjoyed this thread, and who knows, maybe I'll see some of you along the Way some time. Buen Camino wherever you are and wherever you go.

 

[clearskiescamino]

A fellow September 2014 pilgrim here
Yesterday I booked my flights for my return in May. Starting in Cuatro Cantones (the same albergue I finished in September and actually met @Jason Loke ) and walking for 2 weeks. I should arrive in Ponferrada before the end of the month!

 

[nidarosa]

Oh David I'll miss you again! Have a vino peregrino for me in May and I'll make sure to have one for you in March. Love Cuatro Cantones, that's the one with the classical music wake-up call, right?

 

[Jason Loke]

A fellow September 2014 pilgrim here
Yesterday I booked my flights for my return in May. Starting in Cuatro Cantones (the same albergue I finished in September and actually met @Jason Loke ) and walking for 2 weeks. I should arrive in Ponferrada before the end of the month!

Hola amigo,
Wish I lived so near to Spain, could go on the Camino or part of it every year.
Would be nice to sample 2 weeks of it every now n then. Cheers!
Burn Camino.

 

[clearskiescamino]

Oh David I'll miss you again! Have a vino peregrino for me in May and I'll make sure to have one for you in March. Love Cuatro Cantones, that's the one with the classical music wake-up call, right?

Linda, one of these years I'll walk a few days on the Camino with you! We should plan it
March is a little too early for me this year, but maybe next year. I plan on walking into Santiago for 2016..maybe during the Easter celebrations.
Unfortunately the wake up call in Cuatro Cantones is composed mainly of plastic bags and whispering pilgrims. I can't remember classical music being played when I was there.
I will raise a vino tinto or two to you while I am there!
David

 

[clearskiescamino]

Hola amigo,
Wish I lived so near to Spain, could go on the Camino or part of it every year.
Would be nice to sample 2 weeks of it every now n then. Cheers!
Burn Camino.

Yes, I am one of the lucky ones Jason!
This is also the same reason why I am unable to travel to Australia every so often
Buen Camino to you!!

 

[scottdecker]

First time on this site since I posted my questions back in August! Figured I'd return to the same thread I was on pre-Camino. I don't know if I met anyone on this thread, or if anybody is even still reading it. But if we did meet, at least my picture is identifiable!

Started in St Jean 8-Sept, cellulitis from a spider bite kept me in Pamplona for a week (a fine place to spend a week), Santiago 20-Oct, Finsterre-Muxia-Dumbria soon after. Then to Porto, Lisbon, Paris, Montreal by other transport than my feet

Enjoyed every moment, wouldn't change a thing (except spending another couple days in Muxia rather than continuing to Dumbria), though I'm not sure how much it changed me. Though not for lack of being open to and fully aware of every experience!