How to put a backpack together effectively? First, make a list of vital gears. Then, gather those gears. After doing it, realize you’d need a motorized truck to take it all with you. Finally, get back to square one and start it all over again…!! Putting together a backpack is obviously a bit more complicated …
Need, comfort, luxury: a tip to reduce your equipment Read More »
(Information checked and updated: May 2021) Why cut in half the stage from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles? Ascent of the Pyrenees, splendid views upon the surrounding Basque Country, herds of stock let loose, ethereal sensations, excitement to cross over Spain… This stretch wins unanimous agreement: it’s one of the most beautiful stage …
How to Cut in half the stage from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles Read More »
Great news, Santiago in Love is ready to restart! The blog was at a standstill since February last year and was quite a close call… it nearly disappeared. Winter is dying, spring is coming; after a time on the roadsides of the Camino, let’s get back on better Ways! Ups and downs happen everywhere. Since …
Winter is dying, spring is coming… blog restart! Read More »
In Saint Jean Pied de Port, the number of pilgrims slowly increases. For now, all walk through Valcarlos because the high route is still closed… But you can feel it: pilgrimage season is about to start! What if, in this post, I’ll take you on a walk to help us wait? Let’s go on the …
From Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles… now! (February 2017) Read More »
In my last post, I told you about moving… Well, it’s done! Santiago in Love and I have moved OUT, and moved IN! We are now settled. Have you decided where, thanks to the clue I left you? (I’ve put it back here) The answser, right now 😉
Here we are, 2017 is here for good! Happy New Year! I wish you many Caminos, scallops, yellow arrows, pilgrims and last but not least: many stars in the eyes! May Saint James walk by your side all this year!
As Christmas and New Year are approaching, the Camino really seems far away. After the simplicity of the Way, all the holiday’s hustle and bustle fell un-authentic. Maybe you even wish to escape and go back to Santiago… But what if, this year, the Spirit of the Camino was at the heart of the parties? Why …
When few pilgrims head off to Santiago in winter, most are left to dream about the Camino. Often after one returns, nostalgia invites itself and some grim Camino-blues settles in. A feeling that truly is no fun… So, what to do when clouds cloak your stars? Here are some ideas to lift your spirit and …
That’s it, December is here and holidays are coming. Shopping madness for Christmas presents with them… Oh stress, oh despair for many people… Maybe it’s even worse for those who have a pilgrim in their family or friend circle. Because after s-he discovered simplicity on the Way, nothing seems to interest him-her. Apart from the …
On December, 8th 2015, Pope Francis opened the Jubilee of Mercy. Since this date, Catholic around the World have lived a very special year! This week, the time has finally come to close the event… As in the rest of the world, celebrations are taking place along the Camino. Meetings are organized, Masses are celebrated, Holy Doors are sealed. …
[2016] Ending of the Jubilee of Mercy on the Camino Read More »
The Way is an Adventure, with a capital A. It’s a long distance journey enhanced by a spiritual dimension. An outer but mostly inner pilgrimage! Here are 8 words to share the experience of the Camino.
Fall is settling in, winter slowly comes into view. Walking off season is a beautiful experience, that still required some caution… especially when in the mountains. Getting lost and/or have a serious accident comes way faster when there is fog or snow! To limit damages, the Spanish stretch of the Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port/Roncesvalles stage knows a winter closure …
Among all that made the success of the Camino, a rising value of our society: going back to simplicity and the essential. Austerity is somehow sad. On the contrary, simple living is a tendency that is experienced with joy and awareness. One may or may not be conscious of it, but going on the Camino means to …
EDIT: Since this post was published, David has some time for himself then returned to the Casa de los Dioces! He’s happy and well, always waiting for the next pilgrime to come and rest a bit… when he’s not walking himself! 🙂 It’s been a while now that the beans were spilled on the Camino …
[2016] Casa de los Dioses: David leaves and explains Read More »
Ultreia! Here is a little word from Santiago’s vocabulary, just as strange as it is famous. Exchanged between pilgrims, printed on papers, carved into wood or rocks, you can see/hear it pretty much everywhere along the Ways. Let’s discover a medieval saying that managed to stay young!
This end of the week was the one of the 31st King Bird Festival in Le Puy-en-Velay. Inspired by an ancient tradition that is nearly 500 years old, this festival highlights the Renaissance era in every corner of the city. It’s a huge historical fuss in Le Puy! Pilgrim, do you know this facet of the first French start …
Going to Santiago is a wonderful stage of the Camino de Santiago… At once or in bits, for a (very!) long time or a few days, everyone does it their own way and lives it intensely. But whether the Camino had been whole, fragmented, long, or short, everyone is bound to be confronted to another …
Returning from Santiago, the hidden face of the pilgrimage Read More »
Choosing the right equipment, what a poser… There are so many options, choices, recommendations and things to take into account! A pilgrim who’s used to hike may find it enjoyable, but more often, the task is a true nightmare to those who never (or hardly never) went for a long walk… Despite all the catalogs and the advice …
The Camino is a Way of Love, I believe it since my first pilgrimage. It’s a feeling that settles and grows stronger every time I’m back on the Ways. You may say talking like that is a little mushy. But no, not at all! Talking about Love is talking about what makes the World go round… the right …
In this post, the rest of my adventures on the Le Puy route! This 2nd part tells you all about my Way from Le Villeret d’Apcher to Aubrac… as well as how I kept the Spirit of the Way with me after it was all over!
