Cover picture

[Joe & MJ]

To set the record straight:
I am the first hiker in the picture. Two other University of
Nebraska-Lincoln students follow me. Yes, we were "day hikers" with "day
packs". We did have vehicle support. None of us used walking sticks,
although, if I remember correctly, Ana (the 2nd girl) used one later in the
pilgrimage. Of course, the year was 1979, there were no yellow arrows, no
refugios, and no paths. Nine of us (7 students plus David and Linda) were
part of the grand total of between 50-100 walking pilgrims (there were no
biking or horseback pilgrims in those years). We carried notebooks, books
(reading "El Cantar de Mio Cid" in Burgos, etc.), cameras, lunch (never
eaten in a restaurant), water, etc. in our packs. One duffle bag plus one
sleeping back traveled in the car each day so the driver (one of the
students) could find and set up lodging. We slept in haymows in Cebreiro,
deserted buildings in Foncebadon, in private houses, in convents,
monasteries and in schools. At one point we went about 3 weeks without
access to hot water. We learned to wash our clothes in streams and in
communal fountains. We ate more "Menu del dias" than I care to count, just
to save money. And it was fabulous, and I really want to remember it that
way (it was almost that good in 1986, but even though I hope to take my
children on pilgrimage I'm not at all certain it will be the experience I
want for them).
Maryjane (Dunn)

> > Hi, Has any one really looked at the cover of
> > Linda Davison's book " The Pilgrimage Road to
> > Santiago"? Here we have three girls walking the
> > Camino and as far as I can tell they only have what
> > I would call a day pack, can't get much in those
> > packs.  If this is really what they took for a pack
> > on the Camino, what are we doing with 50 60 L packs
> > and or what do they knowthat we don't?  Do we
> > really need large packs or are we packing for our
> > insecurities?
>
> I took a look at the book cover and saw 3 women with
> what were probably daypacks, no walking sticks, 2 of
> them wearing jeans.  They appear more likely to be
> day- or section-hikers, or maybe traveling with
> vehicle support.  I'm not sure how anyone would pack a
> daypack for a 4-6 week through-hike.  (Outside of
> those special few who really are comfortable with
> nothing but a toothbrush, a change of underwear and a
> guidebook.)