The hiking community is a great network. I had never even heard of the Pacific Crest Trail until I walked the Appalachian Trail. Likewise, I knew next to nothing about El Camino de Santiago until I had extensive discussions about it with … Continue reading
http://francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks Francis Tapon has written a provocative article entitled, (Ten Reasons Why El Camino Sucks). First, let me affirm that the article was well written; I applaud him for speaking exactly what was on his mind. Having said that, I strongly … Continue reading
The Amazon Travel Book Department has recommended, ‘The Best Way–El Camino de Santiago’ (2012). This is a narrative of Bill Walker’s (‘Skywalker’) 2010 and 2011 pilgrimages on the popular European pilgrimage, El Camino de Santiago. The Camino drew up to … Continue reading
As an independent author, you know you are an underdog. For example, I recently completed a book entitled, ‘The Best Way–El Camino de Santiago’ (2012). It is a narrative of my first two journeys on the wildly popular Camino de … Continue reading
Hey man, is there any way you can come hike with me on the Appalachian Trail?” I anxiously asked all my close friends. “No, I’ve gotta’ work,” was the response I invariably received. “Well, how bout’ just going for a … Continue reading
“Believe it or not, 500,000 pilgrims per year used to walk the Camino de Santiago,” I tell people. “And that’s when Europe’s population was 10% of what it now is.” What I was describing was the medieval pilgrimage to Santiago … Continue reading
“Hey, I would actually like to try doing the pilgrimage (Haj) to Mecca.” “But they will not allow you?” a nearby priest said. “Why?” “You have to be Islamic,” he informed me. My 18 year-old nephew and I were zeroing … Continue reading
“You did the Camino?” I registered my surprise. “Yes, twice,” my Danish hiking partner said. “But you said religion is a silly American thing.” “Yes, but the Camino is really the European Divorcee Trail.” European Divorcee Trail! Is he kidding? … Continue reading
“This is totally different from every other Camino book,” Jane Blanchard recently wrote in a review for ‘The Best Way–El Camino de Santiago’. She only gave the book 3 stars, reasoning that “some people will probably really like this, and … Continue reading
The business of drawing up a budget for something as extensive as the Camino de Santiago is necessarily a fraught enterprise. The stark thruth is that there are many variables. Nonetheless, it is a necessary task. “An American pilgrim can do … Continue reading