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Hello, Melissa. In partial response ...
<p>Eleven students and I just finished walking from Roncesvalles to Santiago;
we left the States on December 26, started walking on the morning of the
29th, walked into Santiago on the night of January 25th, and returned to
the States on the 29th. It was the first time on the Camino for all
of us.
<p>I am sure that each of us would pick a different set of highlights.
Mine is topped by the entrance into the Plaza del Obradoiro on Saturday
night. Of all the ways to complete the walk, I could not have asked
for one better. Other highlights, in no particular order, include
walking on the meseta in frozen sunshine; snowy mornings walking out of
Villafranca Montes de Oca and O Cebreiro; Nájera; the cathedral
in León; Rabanal; the food, everywhere; the incredible degree of
accommodation extended to us by the people we came into contact with: Pablito
in Azqueta, the Jato family in Villafranca del Bierzo, Anya at the albergue
in Grañón, the owner of the bar at Alto del Poyo who built
a fire for us to warm up and dry off a little, to name just a few; seeing
the students' determination to continue walking even when they should have
taken a day or two off to heal blisters and rest sprains and bruises and
inflamations. And more and more and more.
<p>I still do not have the words to describe much of the experience; I
suppose they will come with time and reflection.
<p>I wish you the best in your preparations and I hope to hear about your
experiences when you return.
<p>--Carlos Mentley
<p>Melissa Starr wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>Greeting to Linda, Sarah, Mark from Louisiana, and
others with Qs & As:
<p>Thank you for writing. I appreciate the salutations and good advice.
I had no idea that there were so many people interested in something that
<b>I</b> want to do! I didn't introduce myself, except to ask questions--mostly
because (until now) I find few people with similar interests.
<p>I'm an adventurous introvert--a seeker. While the status-quo vacation
may be an escape for some, it isn't to me. I dislike tourist traps and
facades. I want to see what is behind the scenes and be able to hear
(and linger with) my reaction to it. I have a hard time finding people
who find satisfaction without overt entertainment, or who are dissatisfied
with things that are meant to be entertaining.
<p>This is the first time in my life that I will have an opportunity to
go off alone. I had been married for 17 years until my divorce about
five years ago. My 3 daughters are grown, for the most part. Last
October I celebrated my 40th birthday, which was a quiet time to
take stock of where I am in life and where I want to go. I'm a junior
Social Work major minoring in Women's Studies, Gerontology, and Dispute
Resolution (mediation). I was going after a Sociology degree when
I didn't know what to do with people other than study them. As I
studied them, my desire to intervene became very apparent--especially in
my dreams, when I hear most clearly.
<p>Anyway, I have been so busy for so long, and have a plane ticket that
expires if not used by May 19 of this year. I know that this is the
time to go, and that to focus will be the best use of the time and money.
I'll leave Boise on the 17th, but this depends on the when the best airline
pricing is available. Has to be United, since it's a trade.
<p>I'd love to get an idea of how many of you plan to go for the first
time in the future, compared to the percentage of you who have already
gone--and what were the highlights for you?
<p>Thanks,
<p>Melissa</blockquote>
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