Monday, June 29, 2009

El Camino del Norte

It's a given. Next May, I am boarding a plane to walk el camino del norte en espana. As much as Iwould LOVE to walk the meseta again, I am opting for the northern route. 2010 is a holy year which traditionally attracts more pilgrims. As more people learn and desire to walk the camino, I am opting for a hopefully less busy route. In a way the Camino Frances is the main route that attracts many. First timers are discouraged from walking el camino del norte. Apparently, although I don't know first hand the infastructure is less developed. My first camino I opted to walk the tried and true. I hear different lengths...for the el camino de norte... but roughly it is 835 km to Santiago de Compostela with just the last couple of days joining up with the popular Camino de Frances. I truly hope if I walk the el camino de norte via santiago de compoestela and right through to Muxia, I will be able to put this walk to rest at last. It is a long way to go for a long walk. I dream about it, even now. I try and re-live it when I put on my pack and do a quick walk up to Elk Falls here in the mornings before work where I live. I have a rock cairn I add to. My rock cairn that you might miss if you are not looking around. This walk in Spain for me is a fixation of sorts... to me. An expensive, intensive, all encompassing hobby.... that is my oxygen. I used to think I could not leave the planet without walking it... now I must walk it again. And I am doing it while I can afford it, physically.. . financially and all the rest. I know I am not alone... really with this sentiment. This must be boring reading for some. Some people really like antique cars or limoge figurines...It takes all kinds, doesn't it?

2 comments:

Rita said...

Hi marjorie
You are brave to walk the Camino in May of a Holy Year. The Camino will be crowded, but i am sure there will be special blessings and your trip will be a joyful one.
Hugs
Rita

Anonymous said...

I hear you, Marjorie,

I thought by writing up my acct of my first Camino, I could scotch it, but its like an addiction! You'll see I've called it my "first" Camino. Like you, I'm planning to walk on the Northern Route, but I'm not sure if it will be 2010 or 2011.

Peregrina Christina