[Gocamino] Post this to the list

[William Marques]

I don't know about USA but in the UK it is common for teenagers to go on
a "gap year" between school and university. This seems to be about your
son's age.  In my gap year, some years ago, I went to Africa.  It was
probably the best and most useful part of my education.  Seeing other
peoples' cultures, experiencing new things, learning to stand on my own
feet, these are not part of a curriculum at school.  Let him go and he
will come back different but probably better and as you well know the
Camino is as safe as anywhere.  

Regards
 
William Marques


-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Rebekah Scott
Sent: 28 March 2005 02:21
To: gocamino at oakapple.net
Subject: [Gocamino] Post this to the list

A 17-year-old pilgrim?
 
My son Philip is 17, turning 18 in August. He wanted to volunteer with a
literacy group in rural India, but couldn't go until he turned 18.
Having heard his mom and step-father obsess for years about the Camino
de Santiago, he's asked us to ship him over to Pamplona in June so he
can walk The Way. 
I am thrilled and excited. But I'm also having second thoughts about
someone so young and so American walking so far on his own. His
step-dad, who walked the Way in 2002, will take him there and walk the
first couple of days with him, and will greet him in Santiago when he
arrives...they will come back to USA together. (stepdad patrick is doing
a hospitalero stint on the Via de la Plata whilst Philip does the Camino
Frances.) 
I say all that to say this: What do you wise heads think? Is 17 too
young? Will he be OK? What do you think?
Rebekah