(Originally posted on 19 August 2016)
So here we are…
I have decided to cross again the Camino De Santiago, the 500-mile walk that starts in France and ends in Santiago de Compostela. I did it once before, starting from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France on 30 June 2015, arriving at Santiago, Spain on 20 July 2015. This time, I will follow the same path and depart on the coming Monday, 22 August 2016.
This time, however, will be different. I intend to write a blog documenting my experience, sharing my feelings and reflecting sincerely on the difficulties of walking a long distance - while I am on the road. The main goal is posting everyday, but I honestly don’t know if I can do it. Maybe I will be too tired to type, maybe I won’t have a decent Internet connection, or maybe my laptop will stop working due to the extreme heat. I suppose only those who have done what I am about to do can understand that writing during walking is harder than it seems.
That said, I promise to reply – sooner or later - to everyone interested in my journey. You are free to ask me any questions, whether it is about the itinerary, my encountering, or simply about the feeling of walking hours with a backpack on your shoulders and a stick in your hand. I am also planning to organize a lunch talk at Harvard – when I come back in October - to share my experience in person and perhaps, to convince someone to take the same decision.
On this path, I won’t be alone: my lovely girlfriend Yishu will help me with editing my posts and uploading them on the various platforms. Additionally, Community of St. Egidio, an international organization devoted to inter-religious dialogue and peace-building, will support me by sharing my thoughts.
You know, going back on this path has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. In this convoluted, intense and sometimes excessive life, taking a little time to breathe seems to be the hardest thing to do. However, the best things in my life came from the voice that simply says “Do It!” and there’s no logical reason to stop when this mixture of fear, adrenaline and gratitude brings joy inside your heart.
Thank you in advance for following and sharing my journey.
Your blessings, prayers and positive actions are obviously welcome and highly appreciated.
I wish you well.
Marco
