I imagine this is pretty much what life on the road in Spain is going to be like but right now that very first step on the road in St Jean Pied de Pod seems light years away! I want to fast forward time - I can't remember when last I have been so drawn to something!
Reading what others who have walked already have to say about their experiences, months after returning to their 'normal' lives, just fuels the fire for me! The following piece was written by pilgrims John and Robin from the USA - a year after they walked the exact route that I will be following in June. They have kindly allowed me to share it here with you.
See why I want to fast forward time!
Posted by pilgrim at 6:23 PM 4 comments:
Labels: camino reflections, looking back at the camino frances experience, pilgrims remembering
En daar staan ons. Soos een man, sing ons ons huppel, huppel, hop liedjie.
Ek kan rerig nie onhou wanner laas ek so uit volle bors gesing het nie. Die ding wat my gevang het was dat ten spyte van als wat in 'n mens se lewe kan verkeerd gaan - as jy kan bly glo en lofsing uit jou hart uit, moet jy bly staan. Kan jy nie platval nie.
Dis so 'n amazing ding om te besef, dat ek nie anders kan as om sommer in Afrikaans te begin skryf op 'n blog waar 99% van die wat so nou en dan hier kuier hoog Engels is nie!
My kop is deesdae gevul met Camino dinge. Watter skoene om te koop, gaan my rugsak groot genoeg wees, wat op aarde gaan ek maak as 'n grys haartjie of twee na die derde week op die pad sy verkyning maak, (glo my, as ek by 'n haarkapper moet stop sal geen siel ooit daarvan te hore kom nie!) ens., ens, die lys gaan aan!! Hulle se mos jy moet al jou bederfgoed en luukshede by die huis los, dis dan nou die hele idee - so ek werk maar aan my kop op die oomblik. Ek kan nie se dat die idee van met harde voetsole begin stap vir my aanloklik klink nie. Ek het nie 'n clue hoe op aarde ek dit gaan regkry nie - om jare se pedi's net so uit die venster te gooi en te begin kaalvoet loop om die sole bietjie meer dikvellig te maak gaan maar sukkel!
Posted by pilgrim at 4:49 PM 7 comments:
Labels: pelgrimstog in Spanje, stap die Camino de Santiago, voorbereiding vir die Camino in Spanje
Now that the year is in full swing and things are pretty much back to 'normal', I feel myself wishing I was back in Europe. I miss walking on cobbled roads, I miss the musty smell of the old cathedrals where little old ladies in black sit running worn rosaries through their fingers, I miss negotiating the price of roasted almonds or chestnuts with old men whilst trying to steal some heat from their mobile barbecues...
I miss being privy to the busy lives of the pigeons and storks nesting in secret places, right above the people living in the towns and cities below - my camera lens allowing me unlimited access to their daily routine. Things you don't always notice in your own city.
I miss the irresistible smell of roasting coffee beans that attack the senses when you walk by quaint little coffee shops. I miss being able to throw all talk of dieting to the wind and being able to unashamedly place my order of pasteis de nata or whatever chocolate-bliss-delight is on the menu.
Posted by pilgrim at 9:22 PM 3 comments:
Labels: appreciating Europe, buskers, Europe in winter, music on the street