A Journey of Days Continues

Mud, Mountains and Mindfulness on the Camino de Saint-Jacques

The author leaves his comfortable North American home to walk over 800 kilometres across France on one of the ancient pilgrimage paths--les Chemins de Saint-Jacques--that lead to the Pyrenees, then into Spain to connect to the Camino de Santiago. His first start is a disaster. After only 130 kilometres, on the high plateaus of the Massif Central, he abandons the attempt in the face of what he believes is a life-threatening illness. After several months of investigation, his cardiovascular system is pronounced healthy--but he has been diagnosed with diabetes, which is easily treated. The following year, he returns to where he left off at the edge of the Massif and succeeds in making his way across France, climbs the Pyrenees, and walks into Spain as far as Pamplona. He follows this demanding journey in spite of altitude, illness, bitter disappointment, truly appalling weather (the French newspapers report this as “the year that forgot summer”), daunting climbs and descents, mud, age, and getting off-trail for three days, all while carrying his own backpack and water. And he learns about who he truly is. Follow him step by step as he takes you with him on this inspirational journey of self-discovery.