Big Johns Charleston Sc
Big Johns Charleston Sc
The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James is an old pilgrim route to St. Jean Pied de Port, France, begins and ends at the cathedral in Santiago Compostela, Spain.
For hundreds of years, this route has the faithful make the holy pilgrimage to Santiago Compostela been used. It was also the route of the Roman legions, and Moor used Saracens, the Templars, and the armies of Charlemagne and Napoleon.
The Camino de Santiago is not only a walk over the hard-packed, rocky Soil of Spain, but a journey through history, religion and Western culture.
The path leads through four mountain ranges, through the large cities, rural Areas on the high plateau of central Spain, and through the green hills of Galicia.
One of the unique things about the Camino de Santiago Albergue the system. These are all bunkhouse type accommodation six miles or so. They are run by the church, local community, Camino other groups, or privately owned. The cost to stay in an Albergue is free, donation or through a small fee of up to six euros. They are generally clean and have showers, bathrooms, kitchens and some have. If you have registered as pilgrims at the start of the journey, you are issued a pilgrim credential that allows you to stay in the Albergues.
Also along the way are many hostels, hotels and guest houses that offer very cheap to expensive. By most sections of the trail there are bars, restaurants, shops, where you can buy food and all necessary supplies and equipment. This allows the hiker, less equipment, which translates into a lighter backpack . Bear
Pilgrim / walkers of all ages come from all over the world to walk this pilgrimage make it a truly multicultural experience.
If You are interested, there are some great Internet resources and books about the Camino de Santiago, here are a few:
href = "http://www.ourcamino.com"> http://www.ourcamino.com lot of information, links, reading list, and hundreds of photos of the trail.
rel = "nofollow" href = "http://www.americanpilgrims.com"> http://www.americanpilgrims.com American pilgrims on the Camino-This is the website for the U.S. Group of pilgrims.
http://www.csj.org.uk The Brotherhood of St. James-UK Group based pilgrimage.
http://www.mundicamino.com One of the best sites on the Camino. Almost everything you want or need to know about the track.
http://www.backpack45.com Good site with info about hiking in general, and information on the Camino.
http://www.santiago-today.com Great site with up-to-date information on Santiago and the Camino.
Some good reading:
Buen Camino-Hiking the Camino de Santiago by Jim and Eleanor Clem is a day to day record of walking the Camino de Santiago. The book also covers training and equipment. There are over 160 photos you a good insight into the track.
The Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino Frances by John Brierley is the guide book we Camino on our two trips. Small enough to carry much information, photos and current maps. Our copy is also used by worn so much on the track.
The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago by David Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson is the best source for Information on the Camino. The book is filled with history, facts, maps, and information about art, architecture, geology, folklore, etc.
On the road to Santiago by Bob Tuggle is the first book we read about the Camino de Santiago walking, and is still one of our favorites.
The Pilgrim's Guide by William Melczer is a translation of the Codex Calixtinus 12 Century Guide to the Camino. Very interesting reading.
Camino Chronicle Susan Alcorn is a great Read more about her and her husband (Ralph) hike on the Camino de Santiago in 2001. Good day to day info along with information on how to prepare for the trip. Too much history and interesting facts. If you have an interest in the Camino, you will enjoy this book.
Some things to know before you hit the road:
Spain is a very modern country with good water, food, medical care, ATMs, etc. The people are very friendly and helpful and they have a very low crime rate.
You will walk about 500 miles. It took 37 days (one day sick), to compete for the journey on foot with every step. This is to an average of about 14 miles a day, in all types of weather over all types of terrain.
Each year, the Camino is getting more popular, which means many hikers / pilgrims / Mountain bikers on the trail. You will always find a place to sleep, but it can be on a kitchen floor. Unless you are on a very tight budget, stay in small hotels / hostels. You can make reservations a few days in advance and you get a better sleep.
Every day on the Camino de Santiago an adventure that brings new challenges and opportunities. Whether your reasons for this trip is for religious / spiritual reasons, or for one of the leading Treks in view of the world, hiking the Camino de Santiago is the journey of her life. The Camino is an experience that stays with you long after you walk the path and head home.
Buen Camino
Jim Clem
AMANDA SEYFRIED at “DEAR JOHN” Los Angeles Premiere February 1, 2010