YOU on the Camino de Santiago

Ep 3: A Conversation with Pilgrim Grace as She Prepares to Walk the Caminho Português

Pilgrim Grace Talks About Getting Ready to Walk the Caminho Português
Bed bugs, luggage transport, finding food . . . it's all part of the Camino experience! Join me for a conversation with soon-to-be-pilgrim Grace from Queens, New York, as she prepares to walk the Caminho Português.
The Caminho Português has become one of the most popular of the many Camino routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela. Who wouldn’t want to take a long walk through the countryside of Portugal?!
Grace will be stepping away from work for the typical two-week American vacation . . . but what she will be doing is anything but typical. And it probably will feel completely different from any other vacation Grace has taken.
YOUR Camino Pilgrimage
When will you walk the Camino de Santiago? Which route will you take? When you are ready to get ready, I would love to hear from you! Let’s make your dream of walking the Camino a reality.
Related: If you would like to learn more about the Caminho Português and ask some questions, check out this Facebook group.
 
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Ep 2: What is the Camino? And what does it mean to ”do” the Camino?

What is the Camino de Santiago?
Do you remember when you first heard about the Camino de Santiago? Maybe it was from a friend who had walked it, or a newspaper article. Maybe you saw the movie, “The Way”, with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, and something stirred deep inside. Something awakened within you, and you felt the pull to know more.
In this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast we are going to wander around in some basic questions:
What is the Camino?
Why do people walk the Camino?
What does it mean to “do” the Camino?
And what is it like, what is the experience of walking the Camino?
And we will get personal – why would you walk the Camino? What experience are you seeking?
Seriously, what is the Camino de Santiago?
Would you keep listening to this podcast if I told you I wasn’t entirely sure what the Camino is? I know, what a crazy thing to say! I mean, I know what it is, but what is it? And why are people so drawn to it? And why do some people, like me, keep returning year after year?
On my spring 2022 walk I spent a fair amount of time mulling over the question of what is the Camino? And while we’re at it, where am I?
This is especially suspect, I admit, because I have spent so much time on the Camino over the years, and I love pouring over maps and tracking my course along the Way. You would think I would have some answers by now.
You may conclude, then, that the questions are more metaphoric than literal, as in, a search for the meaning of the Camino de Santiago and the journey along one of its paths, and an understanding of where I am in relation to everyone and everything else.
If you were to gather together ten people who have walked the Camino de Santiago and ask them “what is the Camino?”, you are likely to get ten different answers. I did this, in a Facebook group, and interestingly, the responses I got weren’t about the history or origin of the Camino.
No one said anything about the Apostle James, his ministry, how and where he died, how there came to be a shrine in his honor, or the plenary indulgence offered by the Catholic church for completing the journey to that shrine.
What did they say? Find out in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast!
YOUR Camino Pilgrimage
Are you ready to get started on your pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago? How can I help? Here are a few ideas.
 
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Ep 1: Your First Steps on the Camino de Santiago

YOU on the Camino de Santiago, that’s why we are here.
You, taking your first steps on the trail, full of excitement and anticipation, and perhaps feeling a little anxious about what lies ahead.
Imagine, you are in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, or Porto, Portugal, or Oviedo, Spain, or wherever you will be starting your Camino walk. Backpack loaded, trail before you, and you, unsure of what is to come, yet somehow so determined to do this. researched, you’ve prepared, you’ve planned, you’ve packed, and you have tackled another of many hurdles: you have gotten yourself to your starting point.
Can you see it? Can you imagine yourself there? Imagine yourself full of emotions, maybe a little jet lagged, possibly hungry and wondering where to find breakfast. You probably know your destination for the day, but you’re not entirely sure how to get there.
You look around you and – thankfully – you are not alone: there are other pilgrims! They, like you, are eager to connect, make friends, and perhaps most important, not walk out of town alone.
How did you get there, to Saint Jean, or Porto, or Oviedo, or wherever you will be starting your Camino journey? How did you decide when to go, and which route to walk, and where to start on your chosen route? How did you end up there on your own, or with the group you will be walking with? How did you work out your budget or how far to walk that first day, and every day after? How do you know where to sleep and where to find food?
See, that first step you are going to take on the trail, leaving Saint Jean Pied de Port, or wherever, is by far and away, not the first step of your Camino journey.
I am here to talk with you about those first steps and all the steps you need to take to get you to your starting point and on your Way.
The goal of this podcast takes you from idea . . . to saying YES! . . . to your first steps on the Camino trail. Whether you will walk in Spain, France, or Portugal, this podcast gives you a planning roadmap and practical tips, plus heartwarming and helpful stories from others who, like you, are getting ready for their first-ever pilgrimage on the Camino.
HI, I’M NANCY REYNOLDS, GUIDE AND LONG-TIME PILGRIM ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO IN SPAIN.
Are we meeting for the first time? Yay! Welcome to the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast! I’m glad you’re here. It will be my pleasure to walk with you as you plan and prepare to walk your chosen Camino route.
In case you’re wondering who I am and why I have so much to say about the Camino, you can learn more here.
 
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BE A GUEST ON THIS PODCAST
Would you like to share your experience of getting ready to walk the Camino de Santiago and receive some personalized guidance on your planning and preparations?
If you have not yet walked a Camino and would like to be a guest on this podcast, please let me know you are interested here.
I hope you enjoy the podcast!
~ Nancy
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