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One Step at a Time - julia_t begins the Camino de Santiago

One Step at a Time - julia_t begins the Camino de Santiago

Old Sep 27th, 2015, 07:53 AM
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Thanks for taking us along on your journey, Julia.
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Old Sep 27th, 2015, 07:57 AM
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So very glad you made it!
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Old Sep 27th, 2015, 10:27 AM
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Loved reading this. I am retiring in 2 months and thinking about what life has to offer. Julia_t, you have made this fantasy a real possibility. Thank you!
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Old Sep 27th, 2015, 11:09 AM
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Many, many congrats for achieving this, Julia. perhaps when I retire I will get fit and have a go at it, but for now I will just have to experience it vicariously.
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Old Sep 27th, 2015, 11:13 AM
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You do not need to be horribly fit, I am not by a long shot. you just do less per day and fewer days perhaps. if you can walk around a mall then you can walk the camino... seriously.
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Old Sep 27th, 2015, 12:12 PM
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"You do not need to be horribly fit... if you can walk around a mall..."

Well, those early stages crossing the Pyrenees and through the foothills are certainly no stroll round a shopping centre, let alone a walk in the park! They are steep, both uphill and down, and the terrain is very uneven and rocky. The climb is from 180m to 1,430m. The ascent from Pamplona to Alto del Perdon is no picnic either.

Please don't underestimate those uphill sections. They are hard work on the legs and lungs and heart. I trained twice-weekly on hills for 3 months beforehand and would have really struggled had I not. I saw many people having problems on those inclines.

But many miles of the Camino are much more level and manageable. There are no rules as to where anyone has to start, you don't have to climb mountains!
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Old Sep 28th, 2015, 05:25 AM
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I agree. Anyone who can walk can certainly do a LOT of the camino and could even be selective of NOT doing a hill or two if need be. It's a wonderful experience that ordinary people should not feel intimidated by.. nor should they try to do more than their body dictates. What is so nice is everyone can decide just how long, where and how high he wants to go!

Looking forward to more Camino stories!
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Old Sep 28th, 2015, 06:05 AM
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I really want to do this, someday. Preferably soon-ish.

Thanks for posting this TR, Julia. Especially the text that starts with, The journey makes you a pilgrim.
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Old Sep 28th, 2015, 08:03 AM
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I love that text as well - thank you for sharing it and your journey.
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Old Sep 28th, 2015, 08:39 AM
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Over the years I have watched the camino become more and more popular,to the point where I became saddened.With the popularity it was inevitable that problems would arise.
I was following the story of one pilgrim who had disappeared and the intense dedication of her family to find out what had happened to her while walking the camino. Today in El Pais I was even more saddened to learn that the problem especially for women walking alone is increasing.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/09/24/...44_960415.html
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Old Oct 1st, 2015, 10:19 AM
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I am working on the final installment, but I got distracted by this wonderful documentary film and accompanying blog...

http://withoutbaggage.com/camino-de-santiago/
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Old Oct 1st, 2015, 07:45 PM
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Hello Julia! What a great report, thank you, looking forward to the end. Are you planning to go back next year to continue? It does get into your blood! I just got back from doing the last 100+ kms of the Francés and already thinking of the next one!
Lincasanova, stay tuned!!
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Old Oct 4th, 2015, 09:23 AM
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I still have to finish my last day's walking from Pamplona - it's coming along slowly, in between work and general 'stuff'!

But just in case anyone is interested, here are some of my photos taken along the way...

https://www.facebook.com/julia.trow/...7170260&type=3

(I've made it a public album so anyone should be able to view it regardless of whether they belong to facebook or not.)
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Old Oct 4th, 2015, 09:30 AM
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How lovely, Julia.

I love those cut-out animals along the path and I don't think that I had realised that the camino [or parts of it] were so pretty.
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Old Oct 4th, 2015, 02:20 PM
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julia_t.. I can see why you got distracted with that fabulously written blog! I am loving it, too!
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Old Oct 6th, 2015, 07:59 AM
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The photos of the animal cut-outs reminded me of Tim Moore's account of his Camino, published as "Travels with My Donkey" in the U.S. I believe the British title was funnier. It's a good book, perhaps a little less reverent than some would like.

I'd like to walk at least a piece of it. Looking forward to more of your tale.
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Old Oct 6th, 2015, 11:11 AM
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in English it is called "Spanish Steps", and subtitled "travels with my donkey".

whatever it's called, it's very funny as are all of his books.
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Old Oct 6th, 2015, 01:08 PM
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The subtitle of the US version is: "One Man and his A$$ on a Pilgrimage to Santiago."

For some reason I thought the UK title was bawdier! Whatever, Tim Moore is always fun. Now, back to julia!
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Old Oct 6th, 2015, 01:27 PM
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This is a superb report, Julia, and quite inspiring. It has me looking at maps and wondering....
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Old Oct 6th, 2015, 11:28 PM
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Thanks for sharing your journey.
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