pre-christian camino, etc.

[Sandra T.]

Greetings, Galen!

OK. This may cause a polemic, but here goes!

1) Although all intents are valid, I find it curious that people
with no faith or sense of mysticism even want to do the
Camino. For it is the very spiritual and mystical experiences
of the millions of pilgrims who have performed this trek over
the centuries that have created this unique pilgrimage.
Without the mysticism, one could complete a similar mileage walking from
London to Land's End or New York to Seattle,
but neither the purpose nor the results would be the
same. The pilgrims who walked the walk left the imprint of
their mystical yearning so strongly on the landscape, that hundreds of years
later, that, together with the occasional camaraderie encountered along the
road, is what keeps
millions of people returning to Spain, year after year, in the modern era, to
recreate the experience.

2) Shirley MacClaine, like all authors, and as is her right,
shares her experiences, mystical or otherwise, with those
who care to read about them. If one is uncomfortable with mysticism, one
simply has the choice not to buy or read
her books.

I, too, love and have studied Archaeology and Anthroplogy,
but under the life experience lies a deeper meaning, which informs and
supercedes any and all "ologies" and it is that meaning that people have always
sought on the Camino.

Any experience may be experienced in any way one wishes,
but without the mysticism, the Camino can too easily become just another
socializing, carousing, foray in Spain, of
which there are far too many already.

End of opinion.

Happy Holidays and Happy Camino,
Sandra
New York
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