michelleperram

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Santo Domingo de la Calzada 3 September 2021 Yesterday I walked in to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Two years ago when I arrived I was limping with a bad blister on my right foot. I couldn’t believe that I had a blister as I’d been walking for almost 10 days and I thought IContinue reading “BE KIND TO YOURSELF”

WHAT’S THE DATE AGAIN?

August 31, 2021 Navarette I’m back on track with this camino after being ill for two days and taking two days to visit Bilbao. Today was a short day, only 8.5 miles and mostly flat with a few climbs. I feel good. I went to the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Navarette.Continue reading “WHAT’S THE DATE AGAIN?”

ALONE WITH MY THOUGHTS IN BILBAO

What do you think about when you are alone with your thoughts? Do you try to distract yourself with your electronics or do you engage with the musings that seep into your consciousness? For two days I’ve been in Bilbao away from the Camino and all the pilgrims I have met along the way. It’sContinue reading “ALONE WITH MY THOUGHTS IN BILBAO”

TOOTHPASTE AND TRAIN TICKETS

Let me make myself clear, clair, claro…I do not speak Spanish. I grew up speaking French with my mother and English with my father. My friends in England would probably insist that I don’t speak English, rather I speak American. No matter I do not speak Spanish. I took a half year of Spanish inContinue reading “TOOTHPASTE AND TRAIN TICKETS”

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

The camino does not seem crowded like I expected it would be. Normally about 400 pilgrims start out from St. Jean Pied de Port each day. Today I heard that it is 30-40. About half of those walking are Spanish followed by French/Americans, and then the rest of Europe. I often walk alone which IContinue reading “THE CAST OF CHARACTERS”

DAY 3 ON THE CAMINO

Today I walked to Zubiri. It was another long day for me. Remember the alternative route into Roncesvalles that I forgot to take? I swore I wouldn’t make that same mistake in Zubiri. I’m pleased to say I didn’t make that mistake…because there is no alternative route. The great rocky descent is all there isContinue reading “DAY 3 ON THE CAMINO”

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

…or does it? I took a picture of myself this morning and sent it off to my family and a few friends with the caption “Today I begin my camino.” Before I sent it I sensed that there was something wrong with what I’d written. I began my camino two years ago. To “begin” todayContinue reading “THE JOURNEY BEGINS”

I’M A DAY BEHIND

This is day 2 of my second Camino. You all know that yesterday was a difficult day. After a good meal with fellow pilgrims and a good night’s sleep I started out feeling pretty good. We had breakfast together and with a cafe au lait under my belt I was prepared to conquer the day.Continue reading “I’M A DAY BEHIND”

REFLECTIONS OF YESTERDAY

Day one of the Camino Frances Yesterday was my first day walking. I did the upward climb from st. Jean Pied de Port. I don’t know the exact elevation but you can see from this map it’s nearly straight up. Only 5 miles but very hard especially when one has not trained. At one pointContinue reading “REFLECTIONS OF YESTERDAY”

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

So I was going to wax on about whether I’m starting my camino or just continuing my camino from two years ago or whether my Camino started at birth. Then I thought…who gives a tahoodle about that? I had a difficult time getting out of the US and my time in England with my friendContinue reading “WHAT WAS I THINKING?”