Read, Research & Learn

My guidebook prepared us in advance for this
very long and particularly bleak stretch of the
Camino that led through a giant industrial area

I'm struggling to finish the book I'm reading, "Stalin's Secret War Against the Soviet People." I picked it up for 25 cents at the Collingswood Book Fair back in October. That's one great thing about the town I live in, they have some kind of fest going on just about every weekend!

I'm a total history buff and am fascinated by World War II. It just amazes me that just ten years before I was born, Europeans were actually fighting other Europeans. So, whenever I can pick up a history book, no matter what the topic, for 25 cents, I do.

I strongly recommend to anyone planning to do a Camino read everything you can get your hands on. Though all of the "I did the Camino" books are written by people who have done the entire Camino Frances (okay, most of them cracked and hopped a bus to cut off 100 or so miles), their stories offer valuable information and insight no matter what Camino you opt to do. From their tales, you get a good idea of what life will be like on the road. There is so much to learn and from each person's story, you will gain something of value. Though we walked the last 120k of the Camino Portuguese, the insight we gained from others who did the Camino Frances was priceless. You get a feel for the equipment and clothing you will need. What personal care items to bring and what you really can leave at home. What it's like staying at a refugio. What it's like walking day after day when all you've every done is two long back to back hikes on the weekend.

The local libraries here had nothing on the Camino, other than Shirley MacLaine's account of her Camino into La-La Land! But there are a lot of Camino books available online. Karin ordered quite a few and shared them with me. We're both avid readers with a great love and respect for the written word.

If nothing else, get a good guidebook for your Camino. I ordered John Brierley's excellent Guide to the Camino Portuguese. You really get an idea as to how excellent it is once you start walking! His books are detailed and contain the kind of information you want and need to know.

There's also a wealth of information on the internet and that's where I'm doing a lot of the research to help me decide what Camino will work for me in 2009. Though I've done the Camino Portuguese and will take that experience on my next Camino, there is still much to learn to prepare for the route of a different Camino.

You Tube has a lot to offer. I spent many nights watching all kinds of Camino videos. Some better than others. I do have two favorites. One from a young man who walked the Camino Portuguese. It was so exciting when walking my own Camino to see the same things I saw on his video, the same landmarks, the same scenery. The main picture on this blog was a little shrine someone set up in front of their home. I remember when seeing it on You Tube, I just thought it was the coolest thing. Then to actually see it in person! The other video I really liked is by a young woman who walked the Camino Frances. Though I would not walk that route, her video seemed to capture the true spirit of the Camino. I will watch it again and again as I prepare for my next Camino.

As soon as I finish my book about Stalin (a much nastier guy than I thought and I really thought before he was pretty damn nasty) I plan to start the Brierley guide. I need to really look at what Camino Frances options are doable for me. I cannot take more than two weeks away from my job so if I do the French route, I will, by necessity, need to do it in increments.

I've put in the links to my two favorite You Tube vidoes. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqors2BXaB4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxwOWpWGhbs