| The Camino de Santiago (Way of St
James) is the traditional pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela.
There are a number of alternative routes depending on your starting point
and inclination, my chosen version is a part of the Camino Frances (so-called due to
its popularity with the French). The route starts in France and
crosses the border at St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, a rather seedy tourist trap
in the Pyrenees; for those with limited time, you can pick it up anywhere
along the route and, provided you complete the last 100km or so on foot,
you are deemed to have done the deed and are eligible for your certificate
of pilgrimhood or Compostela. Due to my very limited time not to mention appalling
state of unfitness, I am going to start in Ponferrada, around 200km from
Santiago. Whilst a gentle stroll across Northern Spain might
not seem much of a physical challenge to many, it is about as much as I
feel up for and in any case it is meant to be a journey of
self-exploration not a penance.
It remains
to be seen if I will even manage that much or cop out after a few miles
and spend the rest of the fortnight in a nearby Parador by the pool.
Still, at least I hope to be able to answer life's big questions such as:
|
_small3.JPG)
_small3.JPG)
_small2.JPG)
_small2.JPG)
_small.JPG)
