Two years ago I started a hike which had a positive impact on me. It’s a famous ancient pilgrimage path called Camino de Santiago. I got a lot of questions regarding this walk of almost 800 kilometers or 500 miles.
Here are some of them….
How long did you walk?
I started to walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on 7th July 2011 and arrived in Santiago de Compostela on the 31st July 2011, which means I walked 25 days.
Many people found this fast, what do you think?
I was not a hiker before I walked the Camino. I walked my own pace. Started early in the day, walked till I could get some breakfast, walked some hours and enjoyed some lunch and decided how long I would walk till the end of the day, for me that was like 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
Did you not experience any problems with finding a place to sleep?
Actually no. When a hostel was full I decided to walk a bit more, sometimes four kilometers and sometimes it was 12 kilometers. It’s only a matter of attitude. It’s not the end of the world. The second day I had to sleep outside without a tent and blankets in the Pyrenean Mountains. Bad situation but a wonderful experience, one of the best.
Did you feel alone?
I never felt alone. Even though I walked many moments alone, every now and then you meet other pilgrims. I found it easy to make contact with new pilgrims, regardless of where they came from, language, sex, age, etc…
Did you use a map?
I didn’t use a map. The only guide I had was the albergue list from the Pilgrims Office. On the Camino Francés there are many yellow arrows to guide you. Also locals help a lot. I wouldn’t worry about that. Even if you walk five kilometers in the wrong direction, so what? You lost some time, but you have time enough. I didn’t check the time. When I arrive I arrive, when I was not there, I need to walk…Simple as that. No pressure.
Are you now believing more, becoming more religious?
What I feel and what I believe towards religion hasn’t changed since I walked the Camino. Respect the people, no matter their beliefs.
Did the Camino change you?
I’m not sure it changed me but it affected me. I enjoy more time for myself than before. I think a lot about the Camino.
Another Camino?
I’m not sure but I have the urge to walk the Camino Primitivo. Maybe that will be my next one. I don’t know when and if…
What now?
I finished writing a book about the Camino de Santiago in Dutch and English. It will be in the iBookstore soon and is already available for Nook! I’m currently busy writing my fourth book and my fifth will also be available this year. ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is my thing. I put my passion in it every day. My projects give me energy.
I support the project Walking the Camino and I want to give all supporters and readers the ability to purchase my eBook for a nice price. The Dutch version is € 15,95 but the English version can be yours for only € 3,99.
Tap with your iPad, iPhone or iPod on:
http://www.ramonddevrede.nl/ibook-camino
You will go automatically to the correct eBook in the official Apple iTunes store.
Pilgrim Ramond de Vrede The Netherlands
camino.ramonddevrede.nl, ramonddevrede.nl, facebook.com/ramonddevrede, @ramonddevrede
Completed first Camino in 2011
What lovely responses to those questions. I’m finding that so many potential pilgrims asking questions of Facebook groups want EVERY answer before they will even consider stepping out their front door: what shampoo?; which boots?; type of socks?; kind of backpack? Where then is the adventure?! Everyone who walks will have a different experience, and will learn what they need to learn when they need to learn it. You can’t force it or make the Camino teach you what you think you need to learn. Go freely and simply; and be open to it – it’s the best and the only Way!