"My 4th try at the Camino was the best ever. It took me 30 days to do the whole thing minus 20km."
The following are pictures from Josephine's Camino. Click on the thumbnail to get a better look.
4 Italians |
At Rest on Camino |
Backyard Grañón |
Cruz de Fer |
Cruz de Valiente |
Early Rising |
High Rise on Camino |
Muria de Rechivaldo |
Poppies on Camino |
Towards Arre |
Towards Frómista |
True 2006 Compostella |
My Shadow |
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My Third Try at the Camino
by
Josephine Vandeguchte
It is good to be home again I must say first however my third try at the Camino was a great affair. My daugther and I we had a wonderful time walking all the way to León. We were however forced to stop in León because Helena's feet could not take it any more. From day one in Roncesvalles to Zuburi a 22-km stretch gave us a hint on what was to come.
Some people can walk the whole Camino and have no problems, Helena she had a lot of problems with her feet. We did have great experiences walking the Camino and they are always new.
The weather is so different in May as to September. It is much colder in May. The people you meet are new and different too, their stories, their lives and their experiences are also new. 
We thought being there from the end of April to the end of May would mean less peregrinos. Not so. There were many Canadians, many Germans, and plenty of Italians, even two people from the little country of Luxembourg, French people Brazilians, and people from the UK .
The refugios were always full and if you're a slow walker like I am you risk not getting a bunk, but only a mattress on the floor. Which was also a lot of fun.
Talking about being slow (well I like to enjoy my surroundings) there was a 79 year old lady from Germany when she passed me she made me think of a silver bullet zooming past.
On the Meseta I had the unfortunate experience of falling on my face. Trying to break this fall my left hand got cut rather nastily on a stone. A German couple who happened to be close were helping me back on to some normalcy.
After my pride was restored we continued on our way. For the next week I received free help at medical centres.
The Camino is one of the best places to be no matter were you start and you learn that it changes constantly.
You learn to accept the fact that friendships made are of short duration.
I'm thinking of Brendan from Donegal, Ireland who talked with Helena a lot about music. Then there was Mireille the French Lady with her hip problems a wonderful personality. Guido from Cuneo, Italy who continued on his way waving good bye. We did meet on several occasions little Alberto with his parents, I believe they were Bethan Davis and Ben Cole. Some one said they wrote a book I think. We met also David from Ontario, he was there alone minus his lovely wife he had lost her not long ago to cancer and it just was her birthday.
I felt a spiritual connection with this entire lovely folk, and to Earth, the Camino and now we say good bye.
Helena and I we hope for another try at the Camino someday with God's help, and then I too want to zoom by the younger generation like a bullet.
Josephine's Camino
by
Josephine Vandeguchte
The weather was just marvelous, sunshine and more sunshine and
hot. We took many rests as I wished to enjoy my second try at the Camino. We also took many photos. My
daughter Leny thinks this was her best ever experience in her life. 
