Hello everyone, I'm new

[Sally Haden]

Hello everyone
I joined this message board a couple of days ago and I am reading your
messages. Not sure if I am ready to join in but I thought I might try to
describe myself and what I hope to learn - at least initially!
I have been vaguely interested in going to the shrine of Santiago for some
years since my brother began to make it his annual 'pilgrimage' after the
accidental death of his son. He always says how beautiful it is to go there
(though he doesn't do the Camino).
But about eighteen months ago when I was unwell, I got interested in
learning Spanish, just for fun, and this brought the idea into greater
focus. Recently I decided I needed to get fit (I am 55, not terribly unfit
but not exactly aspiring to be a "power walker"! and also I was not at all
well last year) then suddenly it all fell into place, that I should actually
go to Santiago via the Camino! So I have added reading books on the Camino
to my physical training and my Spanish. Maybe, I am thinking, by the autumn
I might be in shape to do the required 100km for that certificate...
Maybe....! My questions for the moment are around anything about a single,
(English), not very strong, woman of 55 doing her first bit of the Camino.
In time I would like to build up to the whole thing from the French border,
but that is definitely not on the agenda yet.
My worries are about heat because that really weakens my stomach, and sun
because I am prone to mild skin cancer. Also, not finding enough quiet time
on the Camino - I have read how expotentially the numbers are increasing,
especially next year I suppose.
Today I read Kathy and Antonio's mail with interest because I wonder what
pilgrimage means.  I have often created my own personal journeys and
experiences as spiritual quests, inner and outer, but I have never put them
into the formula of putting one foot in front of the other for several
miles. I suspect/hope it will be a very good thing to do. And like Kathy and
Antonio I have experienced different belief systems close-up, TM,
Catholicism, various forms of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, but in
conclusion I feel that spirituality or faith is USUALLY like looking into a
mirror that you KNOW is there in front of you yet you can see nothing in it.
  USUALLY it is a horrible blank, even though ocassionally you can find
flashes of great truth.
Okay, so any positive comments, encouragement or inspiration of any sort
will be welcome!
Yasmin1691

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