Thursday, April 29, 2010

Preparation Complete

In a little less than 3 weeks I depart on what can be considered the adventure of a lifetime. I will spend approximately 6 weeks walking across northern Spain on an ancient pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago. I have been training for this physically and mentally for the past 5 months if not for a lifetime. Additionally I have also been attending Spanish classes to make this journey easier. I know this won't be easy, but what things in life are that are truly worth attaining? I will keep everyone updated via this blog, my only wish in that regard is to hopefully keep you entertained. During my Camino I will be carrying a Pilgrims Passport to track my journey and to gain entrance into the places to stay, when the journey is complete I will receive what is called a Compostela, a certificate signifying I completed this camino. The places I will be staying can best be described as hostals, the Camino name for them is Alburgues. I'm departing this journey in a tiny village of the French Pyrenees called St Jean Pied du Port. It is considered the traditional starting point for the Camino I am taking which is called Camino Frances. The Camino was started 1200 years ago by Pilgrims going to the city of Santiago de Compostela, and it is believed the apostle St James is buried there. To be honest over the past 20 years or so the Camino has become more secular, but then everyone who does the Camino does for their on personal reason. At this time I can't honestly say what is driving me to do this other than the adventure of it all, only time will tell, and from what I've learned in studying the Camino, it brings different things, gifts if you will, to each and everyone who does it