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<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Tania
and anyone else wanting to walk alone,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I just
returned on Sunday. I walked from Pamplona to Burgos alone. (a 30
year old) My original plan was to go from Pamplona to Santiago and cut out the
middle, but as I walked I realized I loved the camino so much I wanted to do all
of it... so I will return and finish it in three years. (I don't have
enough vacation to do it all in one month) </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I must
say the best part of my camino was doing it alone. Every now and then
someone would walk by that I had previously met (even those I hadn't met yet)
and they would walk a km with me and then go on their way. I personally
did not feel fear at all in any part of the camino, but that is just me.
There was another woman from Rome who came alone but walked with different
groups because she didn't like walking alone. You meet so many people
along the way that if you don't want to walk alone, you really don't have
to. But as for me, I think it was the best part of the camino. I was
able to reflect and relax and not think about the other person I was walking
with... was I walking too fast, to slow, if I wanted to stop for a coffee
and they didn't.... walking alone was liberating. And again, it also gave
me a chance to talk with many people along the way on a one on one basis.
I think it really depends on the type of person you are. I've always
preferred walking alone, even here at home.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>It's
always good to prepare in advance, but nothing can ever prepare you for what you
are about to experience. It is a different world, a different realm and a
different reality. If you are planning to go and have a lot of vacation
time don't plan an end date (if this is possible). As soon as I decided
that I was going to stop in Burgos and not have to be to Santiago on a certain
day, everything changed and the stress went away. But I also know the
reality of things and that can't be possible all the time. I met many
people who were doing it in sections, and many who were doing the whole
thing. As always, it depended on the person.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I
could write all day about my experience and the camino. But if you haven't
walked it, it is hard to describe. If you have any questions please feel
free to contact me at anytime.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Good
luck,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=748331413-01072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Emily</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Tania A. Robson
[mailto:taniaraGOLDEN.NET]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, June 30, 2003 11:43
AM<BR><B>To:</B> GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Hi from
Canada<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Hi there</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>My name is Tania, I am 29 years old - married, with a cat.
I live in Ontario, Canada and I am planning to hike the Camino in May
2004. I am planning my trip well in advance, I have known for three
years this is something that I must do, its a deep spiritual calling
and the physical challenge appeals to me very much. Physically I am
prepared, mentally I am working on that. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>My biggest concern is going alone, the two people I have talked to in my
city that I have done it assure me there will be lots of people I will meet on
the journey - I have travelled since I was 13 on my own to and from Europe
however this will be the longest hike alone that I will have started and
hopefully finish on my own. I am so excited and filled with so anticipation,
its a quiet knowing that I will do this. Looking forward to hearing from
others that have done it, planning on doing it and where and when you will be
starting etc.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks!</DIV>
<DIV>Tania</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>