[Gocamino] Re: Gocamino Digest, Vol 13, Issue 3

[Rush Associates]

Hi Judy and all--of course one is never "alone" on the Camino; I made some really good friends,  from Italy, Canada, Australia and France.  And I felt the protection of who. . .Santiago?. . . like an aura around me.  (This sounds weird.)  But I continued walking after my husband, who had been walking with me, returned home.  Even though this was part of the plan from the beginning, I faced being "alone" on the Camino with some trepidation.  Yet where else in the world can a woman walking by herself not only be safe, but also feel safe?  And who else but my wonderful husband was supportive of this solitary endeavor, when my friends here in upstate NY thought I was a bit daft?  The question I got when I returned home was "did anything bad happen?"  I had to report that the only "bad" event was my mistake in eating large bowls of the delicious caldo callego two days running!  (There was a flasher in the woods before Monte Gozo, but other than pick up my pace, my reaction was one of pity for him. )

My question of Kathy Gower is: did you walk in France by yourself?  Is it safe for women walking by themselves?  I am planning to walk in France next September, on the Chemin de Compostelle, but I'm not sure of which route.  

I miss the Camino, I miss Spain, I miss all of the people I met and talked with along the way.  I celebrated my 69th birthday and my 36th wedding anniversary on the Camino.

Pat Rush, Schenectady, NY


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: SJFINNELL at aol.com 
  To: c.c.rushassociates at verizon.net ; gocamino at oakapple.net 
  Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 4:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [Gocamino] Re: Gocamino Digest, Vol 13, Issue 3


  I just finished 31 days on the Camino alone, but not alone. I left SJPDP on 9/22 alone. I met people on the Camino. Sometimes talking only minutes. Sometimes an hour or so. As I saw familiar faces over the days, I walked some with my new friends. Mostly I was alone. On the 8th day, I got very homesick and was ready to go home. An Australian couple I saw several times, encouraged me to keep going. Later that morning I found my German friend, 20 yrs old. And later that night I was able to talk to my family. I turned 50 on the trail. That was my motivation. To do something amazing for my 50th BD.

  After talking to my family and connecting with a familiar face/the German named Dominik, I finished in 31 days on Oct 22. I am so glad I kept going. Although I left the USA alone, I don't feel like I was alone. There were so many people I met and saw in the cities and Alburgues', I don't feel like I did it alone. Every need was met when I needed something. Other pilgrims help each other. 

  Judy Finnell
  Pittsburgh PA