Pilgrim book review: Laughter and tears along spain's 500 mile Camino de Santiago

This book had a lot of potential, but I think it could have used some editing.  The writing was good, but what threw me was that he had quite a bit of repetition. He based this book off of his blog, so he would begin the chapter with the blog post then go back and write about the same events. Sometimes with the exact same wording. I found it confusing.  This was his first trip abroad as a 53 year old American from Texas.

As with all Camino books I find it fascinating what lessons they take away from their experience. In someways, everyone's Camino is fairly similar. Sleep walk eat repeat.

The item that stuck out most to me was said by a fellow pilgrim he met:

"Every pain has a meaning, and when you find the meaning you don't need the pain anymore."

Along the same lines, " Maybe you can't find the peace and happiness unless you slog you way thru the difficulties too... "

What I learned most from following his journey was facing regret and fear with the attitude of what did it teach you and how it can make one a better person. And it is never too late to try something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Pilgrim Book Review: A Million Steps by Koontz

I was quite happy to have been able to get this when Amazon had it on sale for quite cheap in e book form. When I first saw it, the font reminded of well known Author Dean Koontz, but it is not written by him. It is by Kurt Koontz who is a 40 something American who walked the Camino in October 2012.  (The same year I walked my first Camino) I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I read it much to quickly. I am planning on re-reading it shortly.  He did a very fine job writing about the practical journey as well as his emotional one.  He touched quite a bit on the subject of being non -judgmental both of himself and others as well, which helped him meet people and have experiences he may not have otherwise.  A good lesson to emulate in my own life. He seemed to have had such joy on his Camino. It is very helpful in showcasing the day to day of a being a pilgrim. Especially how you seem to run into the same people over and over, even when you are sure you said your last goodbye. Iloved that he not only named his walking stick, but was very attached to it.  It was neat to read descriptions of both places I had been, and those that I have yet to see.  He also included pictures-  of other pilgrims he met along the way, buildings, scenery.  So far it is my favorite book that I have read on the pilgrimage, and would highly recommend it.

Pilgrim Book Review: The Best Way by Bill Walker

I like reading about other peoples experience on the Camino, and guessing by the sheer number of books available, I am not alone. Or mabye  just a lot of many people like to write about the Camino. Hmmm Maybe I should wirte one. Thanks to e books I don't believe it is hard as it once was to get published. Of course that would mean that I would actually need to write in the journal I like to take around with me.  Another problem altogether.  Any way on to the book.

This is the third book I have read by Bill Walker, the other two being about the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails.  I liked both of those books quite a bit more than this one. In those he seemed to have more charm and humbleness in his tone. Gone was that. I felt he was a bit proud of himself in this memoir and a bit judgmental as well.  There is one place in the book, he gives out to a female pilgrim for not walking with his group but going off for younger better looking guys and what a great chance she missed, and went on to go as far as comparing her choice of companions, as being lazy somehow getting to comparisons with Hitler ?! Mean while all the time he seems a bit obessed with younger women. That was the worst part of the book to me. He has some good history throughout as well.

He is a good writer and the book isn't terrible. its available as both an E book and in print.  He does have a some untranslated Spanish throught out the book, I guess to remind you he is in Spain and can speak Spanish. I would recommend his other two books  before this one.

Paris to the Pyrenees, a review

While not on Camino (I can't decide whether or not it should be capitalized if not referring to a specific one but decided to err in the case of yes) which sadly is like 95% of my life, I like to read about other people's pilgrimage experiences. Judging by the amount of books available I am not alone in this fact. There are many great ones to chose from all with something to new to learn. There are many that seem to be self published and only available as e-books, but I thought I would first talk about a more widely available book.  Which is available here: Paris to the Pyrenees (side note I am addicted to amazon's kindle and both audible but sure it is also available at your favorite location as well.)

I will admit I had a hard time with this book. I am not sure exactly why.  It is very well written. Maybe it is just more scholarly than I prefer. I think my biggest objection, is a more personal taste than fault of the author. Disregarding the fact that it bugged me the author did not actually walk from Paris to the Pyrenees as the title would imply, mostly I find it hard to deal with the fact he didn't like to be around other pilgrims, and actively avoided them all together. To me that is a part of pilgrimage doing something that has been done for hundreds of years, by thousands of people.  I'm not saying you must always be in a group, talking to everyone but I think it adds something to the be connected with those who have the same purpose as you do. David and his wife mostly stay in BB's that are not on a very well travelled path by pilgrims or anyone really. What I did take away was his great interest in the history of place he was walking thru and his knowledge of the significance of the monuments and buildings he was passing by. That is one thing I will really like to add to my trek on the Via de la Plata. Take time to stop and know what it is exactly I am seeing. He also conversed quite a bit with the proprietors (maybe as there were no other pilgrim's)  who of course know something of the land they are on.  Hopefully my rudimentary Spanish will allow this to happen.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention during his wife's tooth incident, I couldn't help but mentally scream, "just Get a taxi and go see a dentist, NOW!!" Maybe's its because I had the meanest dentist as a child, or have nightmares of my teeth falling out, but I just didn't understand their decision. While not quite my cup of tea, if you find it on good discount or at your library I would recommend it. Not at full price though.