We got our packs loaded last night and ran through the checklists again to make sure we had everything and had taken care of all the home to-do items before leaving for Spain. It is morning now and I am drinking my cup of coffee from the mug covered with the sellos from my first Camino with Caroline back in 2008. This mug in one way holds all the memories of the past and the hopes for our next adventure.
I have thought alot about how a second pilgrimage is going to be different from a first. Much of the trip will be new experiences, but some will be walking again in the footsteps of our trip before and yet it will all be new for David. If I compare him to Caroline, I realize he is much more prepared for this. Maybe not physically, but he knows now what the walking is like, what a refugio is, and he has seen The Way and other documentaries enough to have a good familiarity with the expectations and trials he is likely to find.
On my account, I have tried to learn from our first pilgrimage to take the time up front to get rest and to not make too many plans.
Also the second Camino with a second child is going to build a relationship that I cherish more than anything. We are so lucky to get this chance to spend time with our kids and share in something that will have an impact on their lives for the future.
I am older, tired-er, but hopefully wiser than last time. This cup of coffee is kind of a symbol of the second Camino for me; held in the expectations of my first trip is a warm, fresh experience to be enjoyed.
Please pray for us.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Packing and Repacking
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| All this has got to fit in the packs? |
Well, the basement is cluttered with all our gear to be taken and not taken. We have reviewed everything, weighed everything, washed everything, and tested most everything to make sure it will work well. Our packs weigh about 13 pounds without water. This seems like a good weight that will allow us to walk easier and not struggle, given the distances we are covering.
The final few preparations are pretty much done. Now to just get to Europe...
A word of thanks to all those that have wished us good luck. We will pray for you along the Way.
-Len
Below is my gearlist:
| Packing gear (backpack, etc.) |
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| Rain gear |
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| Clothes |
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| Footwear |
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| Hygiene & wash |
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| Medicine/dressings |
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| Papers |
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| Other |
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| Electronics |
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| Food & drink |
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This is based on the packing spreadsheet provided at the Camino de Santiago Forum. You can find it here.
-Len
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Monday, May 26, 2014
A Blessing from Father Dye and our last (first) practice hike
Today, we went into the north Georgia mountains for a short hike to test our packs and shoes. Caroline and Irene joined us for a walk along the Amicalola River. Except for the spring rain shower everything went well and we met our friends the Priedes for a fantastic BBQ lunch. The rest of this week will be spent with final details till we pack up and head to the airport.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Polvo, Barro, Sol y Lluvia
There is a poem attributed to Eugenio Garibay that is written along the Camino near Najera.
I think it sums up the Way.
Polvo, barro, sol y lluvia
es el camino de Santiago
millares de peregrinos
y más de un millón de años.
Peregrino, ¿quién te llama?
¿qué fuerza oculta te atrae?
No es el camino de las estrellas
ni las grandes catedrales.
No es la bravura Navarra
ni el vino de los Riojanos
ni los mariscos gallegos
ni los campos castellanos.
Peregrino, ¿quién te llama?
¿qué fuerza oculta te atrae?
Ni las gentes del camino
ni las costumbres rurales.
Ni es la historia y la cultura
ni el gallo de la Calzada
ni el palacio de Gaudi
ni el castillo de Ponferrada.
Todo lo veo al pasar
y es un gozo verlo todo
más la voz que a mi me llama
lo siento mucho más hondo.
La fuerza que a mi me empuja
la fuerza que a mi me atrae
no sé explicarla
ni yosólo el de arriba lo sabe.
Dust, mud, sun and rain, is the Way of Saint James;
thousands of pilgrims and more than a thousand years.
Pilgrim, who calls you? What dark force brings you here?
It's not the Way of the Stars, nor the grand cathedrals.
Neither is it the courage of Navarra, or the wine of the people of La Rioja.
It's not the seafood of Galicia; it's not the countryside of Castilla.
Pilgrim, who calls you? What mysterious force attracts you?
It is not the people of the way or their rural customs.
Nor is it their history and culture.
It isn't the cockerel of la Calzada, Gaudi's palace, nor the castle in Ponferrada.
Everything you see in passing is a joy;
and the voice which calls me, makes me feel much deeper.
The force which pulls me, attracts me,
I cannot explain it. Only he above knows why.
Polvo, barro, sol y lluvia
es el camino de Santiago
millares de peregrinos
y más de un millón de años.
Peregrino, ¿quién te llama?
¿qué fuerza oculta te atrae?
No es el camino de las estrellas
ni las grandes catedrales.
No es la bravura Navarra
ni el vino de los Riojanos
ni los mariscos gallegos
ni los campos castellanos.
Peregrino, ¿quién te llama?
¿qué fuerza oculta te atrae?
Ni las gentes del camino
ni las costumbres rurales.
Ni es la historia y la cultura
ni el gallo de la Calzada
ni el palacio de Gaudi
ni el castillo de Ponferrada.
Todo lo veo al pasar
y es un gozo verlo todo
más la voz que a mi me llama
lo siento mucho más hondo.
La fuerza que a mi me empuja
la fuerza que a mi me atrae
no sé explicarla
ni yosólo el de arriba lo sabe.
Dust, mud, sun and rain, is the Way of Saint James;
thousands of pilgrims and more than a thousand years.
Pilgrim, who calls you? What dark force brings you here?
It's not the Way of the Stars, nor the grand cathedrals.
Neither is it the courage of Navarra, or the wine of the people of La Rioja.
It's not the seafood of Galicia; it's not the countryside of Castilla.
Pilgrim, who calls you? What mysterious force attracts you?
It is not the people of the way or their rural customs.
Nor is it their history and culture.
It isn't the cockerel of la Calzada, Gaudi's palace, nor the castle in Ponferrada.
Everything you see in passing is a joy;
and the voice which calls me, makes me feel much deeper.
The force which pulls me, attracts me,
I cannot explain it. Only he above knows why.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Our next Camino in 2014
Much time has passed since the last time this blog was updated and I thought it good to share a bit about how our family has grown and our plans for 2014.
Caroline is soon graduating from Furman University and will be starting her teaching career. We are so proud of her and all that she has accomplished. It is ironic to me now to think that the blog she wrote here about her lessons learned on the Camino became a paper in high school for her that developed into her college entrance essay she used to get accepted into Furman. Funny how the Camino can have such a lasting impact to your life.
Here in Atlanta, a very active Friends of the Camino chapter has begun and is looking to grow and spread the word about St James Way through lectures, hikes, and social events. Our parish priest, Fr. Dye, that had been so supportive of our pilgrimage in 2008, just finished his own Camino last year and came back to be so enthusiastic about the trip and its impact on his life. He has been a big proponent of the Atlanta chapter.
As most people here also know, Emilio Estevez's movie The Way has brought great focus in the US to the Camino and drawn interest from lots of Americans in making the trip.
For me, I am looking forward to again picking up the pack and going back to Spain with my 16 year old son this summer. For him, it has been a promised adventure that he has anticipated and learned about through his sister and the increased popularity of The Way. He knows much more about it than any of us did back in 2008. But the goal for us is the same that I had with Caroline, to spend time together as he is reaching maturity and to build a bond that will continue to grow.
I just finished re-reading our blog posts from 6 years ago and remembering the excitement and misery Caroline and I shared. It brought tears to my eyes to think how that little girl has grown into such a fine woman and how our son is about to embark on the same coming of age pilgrimage.
Not a day has not gone by that I have not thought about the Camino. And as we prepare again for this version in 2014, may David and I be blessed to have the same great experience as Caroline and I shared those many years ago.
Stay tuned for the newest chapters in the Savini's Pilgrimage to Santiago...
Caroline is soon graduating from Furman University and will be starting her teaching career. We are so proud of her and all that she has accomplished. It is ironic to me now to think that the blog she wrote here about her lessons learned on the Camino became a paper in high school for her that developed into her college entrance essay she used to get accepted into Furman. Funny how the Camino can have such a lasting impact to your life.
Here in Atlanta, a very active Friends of the Camino chapter has begun and is looking to grow and spread the word about St James Way through lectures, hikes, and social events. Our parish priest, Fr. Dye, that had been so supportive of our pilgrimage in 2008, just finished his own Camino last year and came back to be so enthusiastic about the trip and its impact on his life. He has been a big proponent of the Atlanta chapter.
As most people here also know, Emilio Estevez's movie The Way has brought great focus in the US to the Camino and drawn interest from lots of Americans in making the trip.
For me, I am looking forward to again picking up the pack and going back to Spain with my 16 year old son this summer. For him, it has been a promised adventure that he has anticipated and learned about through his sister and the increased popularity of The Way. He knows much more about it than any of us did back in 2008. But the goal for us is the same that I had with Caroline, to spend time together as he is reaching maturity and to build a bond that will continue to grow.
I just finished re-reading our blog posts from 6 years ago and remembering the excitement and misery Caroline and I shared. It brought tears to my eyes to think how that little girl has grown into such a fine woman and how our son is about to embark on the same coming of age pilgrimage.
Not a day has not gone by that I have not thought about the Camino. And as we prepare again for this version in 2014, may David and I be blessed to have the same great experience as Caroline and I shared those many years ago.
Stay tuned for the newest chapters in the Savini's Pilgrimage to Santiago...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A Pilgrim Chapter in Atlanta?
I met today with Chris Sanders, a 2002 Pilgrim living here in Atlanta. We are discussing the idea of starting a chapter of the American Friends of the Camino to raise awareness about the Camino here in the metro Atlanta area.
Possible ideas include:
Possible ideas include:
- Presentations to civic groups about the Camino and our experiences
- Promoting the Camino as a long distance hiking destination
- Providing consulting and advice for potential pilgrims from the Atlanta area
- Events for pilgrim alumni to gather and share
- Book exchange on the Camino
If you are interested in joining us or have suggestions, please respond to this post with your ideas and contact information. I have added a link to Chris' website because it is chock full of great information.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Multimedia of the Camino
Jono Lewis, a Welsh photojournalist that we met on the Camimo, has published a great multimedia presentation of the experiences of our fellow travelers. He did a marvelous job of capturing the essence of the experience through his images and interviews.
Here is a picture of him interviewing Caroline along the Way. I hope you will enjoy his work as much as we do. Plus, see if you find the photo of us...
http://www.jonathanlewisphoto.com/Assets/Multimedia/Camino_de_Santiago/index.html
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