The title of this is post means "from the beginning." I phrased it in Latin, as I need all the class that I can muster. I think it sounds kind of snappy.
My name is Joseph Mulroney and this blog is about my going on the Camino de Santiago ("Way of St. James"). If you know nothing about this walking pilgrimage, you can learn more by clicking on the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James
Most people who complete the Camino "only" do the 500 mile (800 km.) segment of it (I say only, because I haven't done any of it yet). This path is called the Camino Francés (the "French Way"), because it leads out from France, crosses the Pyrenees Mountains, and follows along the northern part of Spain to the town of Santiago de Compostela, where many Christians believe that the bones of St. James the Apostle (St. James the Greater) are buried. The path is over 1,000 years old.
I plan on doing 1,000, starting from the French town of Le Puy en Velay (in south-central-eastern France), which is one of the traditional starting spots for the Camino.
Even though my start of the Camino de Santiago is still two months away, preparation is everything. Preparation includes the spiritual and the physical, as this will be a very demanding path in both respects. I have to be prepared for all the spiritual challenges, as well as the physical ones. While walking 1,000 miles sounds daunting enough, I'm sure that the spiritual challenges will be far worse (like the Devil getting in my head, telling me to quit, telling me that I'm no good, etc.). I'm a little nervous about doing this, as I have little hiking experience, and have never attempted anything this imposing before.
How long is 1,000 miles? It's akin to walking from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA -- or Washington, DC to Fort Myers, FL -- or San Diego, CA to Corvallis, OR. Wow, when I think of those distances, all of this does sound intimidating!
I plan on leaving Tuesday, January 25, 2011. This gives me two very important months to prepare.
Some very generous friends gave me some nice gifts, allowing me to purchase the gear that I'll need to make this trek. It's not about having the latest gear, but packing light and having good gear that will get you through the trip.
Pray for me. It is said that "Fools rush in where angels fear to trod!" Time will tell.
-Joseph
