When Eric and I approached Santiago de Compostela two years ago, the crowds of people around us grew by the day, as did their anticipation. Together we counted down “the last hundred” kilometers to Santiago, where the remains of Saint James waited for us in an enormous cathedral. On the morning of our arrival inContinue reading “Why Walk to Finisterre?”
Tag Archives: Spain
The Monastery of Light
Laurel and I stopped for the night in Azofra, a tiny town between Logroño and Burgos. The town’s major claim to Camino fame is that the municipal albergue has two-person cubicles AND a fountain in the courtyard where pilgrims can soak tired feet. When we arrived, our new friend, John, mentioned that Azofra offered anotherContinue reading “The Monastery of Light”
7 Camino Gratitudes
It’s Thanksgiving week here in the United States, a time set aside for family and feasting, and hopefully a time to reflect on the gifts we’ve been given. In that spirit, I’ve been thinking about my Camino Gratitudes: the things I now appreciate (or appreciate more) because I have been a pilgrim to Santiago. InContinue reading “7 Camino Gratitudes”
Saint James Matamoros: the Fake News of the Last Millennium
It’s impossible to walk the Way of Saint James, the Camino de Santiago, without encountering images of Saint James. Which makes sense – we are on a journey to his recognized grave, after all. Without James the Greater, brother of John and the first of Jesus’ disciples to be martyred, there would never have beenContinue reading “Saint James Matamoros: the Fake News of the Last Millennium”
Planes, Trains, and Spain: How to Get to the Camino de Santiago
Your pilgrimage begins as soon as you walk out your door, says a popular Camino mantra. Historically, that’s true. After all, the original pilgrims to Santiago didn’t have the choice to hop on a plane or train to get to a well-marked and collectively-accepted starting point. They just picked up their belongings and started walking.Continue reading “Planes, Trains, and Spain: How to Get to the Camino de Santiago”
The Road Will Humble You
“Remain humble on this road, or the road will humble you.” – Kevin Codd, To the Field of Stars I’m back! I have a lot to say about my 13-day trip to Spain and the Camino Frances, but let’s start with the elephant in the room: The plan was to walk for 10 days, fromContinue reading “The Road Will Humble You”
My Summer Camino Packing List
“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…” Well, almost packed. I’ve been working intently on The Book all month (that’s a mild way of saying I’ve been up until 2 or 3 every night for at least two weeks), but yesterday I finally let it go, sending it off to a group ofContinue reading “My Summer Camino Packing List”
Camino Fears
Last week Laurel and I sat down to do some Camino planning. Mostly, we talked about the logistics: our packing lists, how we’re going to get to Pamplona, how far we wanted to walk on the first day, stuff like that. But we also ended up talking a lot about our Camino fears. We’re aContinue reading “Camino Fears”
The Camino Credential
It’s here! A week ago I went to the American Pilgrims of the Camino website and requested a new credential for my upcoming mini-Camino. (I’ve started to call it Camino 1.3, because I’ll walk about a third of the Camino Frances.) And now here it is, all crisp and blank and pretty. In less thanContinue reading “The Camino Credential”
The Old Couple in Burgos
The first time I went to Burgos (I can say “first” now, since I’m officially planning the second trip), we arrived early in the day and had all afternoon to poke around. I loved the city, with its broad plazas and crooked streets. And mostly, I loved the modern, realistic statues scattered in the unexpectedContinue reading “The Old Couple in Burgos”
camino times two 