Bon jour! Bienvenue sur notre blog. (Enough of that). Welcome to our blog. We don't profess to believe that anyone really cares what we have to say about our travels but we keep this online journal for several reasons. First, it is a journal. It helps us when we try to remember certain things about our time on the Camino (Chemin). Second, it is a way for our family to check on us to know if we are still alive. Since we never carry phones when we are on our journeys, we use the internet when we get a chance. And rather than email or iMessage all our "peeps", we simply make blog posts so they can check on us. Lastly, we hope that through the blog we can provide some useful information for other pilgrims (pelerins). We do not have all the answers nor do we think we know the best way to do things. All we know is what we experience and hope that others can learn from us.
This year we have chosen to walk yet another route on the Camino de Santiago but this time we will be walking in France on a route that begins in LePuy en Velay and leads to the town of St. Jean Pied de Port (the point at which the popular Camino Frances begins). It is also called the Via Podiensis. We hope to then continue over the Pyrenees mountains and eventually end up in Pamplona.
There are those that would ask, "Why go again?". That's a valid question. We find that people become enamored with walking the Camino for a number of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with why the paths were created in the first place. It is, first and foremost, a pilgrimage route. So are we on a pilgrimage? Let me give a noncommittal answer: yes and no. When we first traversed Spain in 2012, we simply wanted to see Europe and this seemed like a good and fun way to do it. But as we experienced many things on the Camino, we came to realize that we were indeed on a pilgrimage and we had a higher purpose for walking and encountering life there. But we have also found that we enjoy the way of living when we go on these journeys. Living life simply with just the few belongings we have on our backs is a very freeing experience. We also love meeting the people, both the locals and the folks who have come to trek from around the world. Then of course there is the beautiful countryside. It lends itself to being a great environment to not only enjoy the beauty but spend time reflecting upon life. It's definitely a number of things that make the adventure one that draws us back.
This year's journey through France promises to be a bit different than our walks through Spain. It appears we will have to book ahead in the Gites although we will only have to do it a day ahead. We also have a new language to use. We have spent quite a bit of time trying to learn using a variety of methods but have found french to be quite a bit more difficult than spanish. This is causing us a little anxiety but hopefully our fears will be quelled once we get there and start conversing on a daily basis. There are other cultural or logistical things with which we will have to become acclimated but I'm sure we will persevere.
So please return to our space here and hopefully you will find stories and info that are interesting, amusing and maybe even useful. A bientot! -Ed
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