I had three lovely ladies corral me after Mass yesterday to ask questions about walking in Spain. Over coffee I did my best to address their concerns. They had most of the typical questions of newcomers, mostly about gear, accommodations and transportation. At one point one who was a Catholic sister asked if I had enjoyed the Camino which left me floundering for a while. “Did I enjoy it?”? Hmmm. Guess my mind is still sufficiently blown by the experience to be able to answer that question with a short sweet answer.

I told them to get in touch with American Pilgrims. Told them to get in touch with this blog because we talk about this stuff. And there are a million books out about the walk. They had the big fat Brierley guide book.

They are going to start in September which I thought was a good idea. That would be my personal choice for a next time, after the big crowds and after the big heat. Foraging the way across Spain on blackberries and other ripe fruit has an appeal to me.

They asked about the physical prep that we did before going. That was our biggest plus. Kelly and I did something like 700 miles in the nine months before going. But all that physical stuff should ideally be balanced by a good portion of spiritual stuff to round out the preparation. The Camino did start out as a religious pilgrimage and that is still there for the taking. It can be much more than an athletic event or a cultural tour or anything else.

Well, I know this blog wanders all over the landscape in terms of topic. It is not the place really to find the best brand and model of boot to wear or to find facts about availability of potable water or facts about bedbugs or anything else. But there is an amazing amount of info about walking this trail out there in other places. Our strong point or emphasis here has been integrating what the Camino teaches back into our everyday lives. And that has not been easy or very concise. I have been reporting for a year and a half about this topic and we have rambled all over hell and back in that process. But that’s the way it is, you have to put up with it I guess.

Yea, but in the end it’s alperfect, we have discovered that much and that’s a biggie. So, we will continue to walk here at the blog and deal with issues as the trail dictates. Maybe tomorrow we will explore more Spain, or more Catholicism, or more cancer, or family, friends or the weather. It is a free wheeling situation as life tends to be.

I see Sabbath Moments has come in and I am looking forward to checking that out next. One thing at a time loves, Felipe.