Saturday, May 22, 2010

Update ·2

Only five minutes to post today. May try later if I can get back on.

So far so good. Amazing views, amazing people, great food

Have hiked with people from around the world.

Including:

¡ a Dutch woman on pilgrimage in memory of her son who died two years ago

- A joyous priest from California and Mexico who is celebrating 75years a priest

- A Korean woman seeking wisdom for a job change

- A Spanish man making the Camino with hand crutches

- A Swiss Catholic man who hiked over 2,000 km from his home.


Since we left there has not been a cloud in the ski. Which is great, but also hard as it heats up and the hike begins to feel like a death march. Drinking plenty of water, resting and doing about 20 miles a day.

Out of time!

Happy PĂȘntecost.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

El Camino

After arriving safely in Spain and enduring a long six hour bus ride I am in the midst of the Camino. Having just put money in to use the hostal computer, I am told I only have five minutes of time. After hiking for three days I am sore, tired and stiff. However, it has been a wonderful journey so far. Yesterday we hiked to the top of a large mountain and enjoyed a splendid night in a mountainside village. The village Ciercibo (sp?) was the home of a Eucharistic miracle many years ago and the village in which Queen Isbella stayed when she made her Camino.

Having entered the Spanish region of Galicia I am amazed at the similarities to Ireland. It is filled with rolling green hills, cows in the fields and the streets and lazy dogs seemingly every ten feet. One suprising thing is that there are literally hundreds of people from around the world hiking at the same time, on pilgrimage. I am told the closer we get to Santiago the crazier it gets, with some hostals housing 800 people. One minute left. bye!!!!!!!

Friday, May 14, 2010

El Camino









This time tomorrow I will be sleeping, hopefully, on an Iberia Airlines flight to Spain to take part in the trip of the lifetime. Accompanied by two good friends, Alan Tremblay from the diocese of Manchester and Jason Hage from the diocese of Syracuse, I am off to take part in one of the oldest Christian Pilgrimages in the world. The Camino is a pilgrimage route across Northern Spain and much of Europe, which has been popular since the Middle Ages. Pilgrim's continue to hike hundreds of miles to the end destination of Santiago de Compostella, home of the remains of Saint James. Tomorrow we are off to Hike 150+ miles in a journey of faith.

God willing I will be trying to update on our progress, but carrying just a change of clothes on my back and prayers in my heart, who knows what I will encounter. Until then....

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Insanity!



The end of the semester has come in like a Lion! I am not exactly sure where all the time has gone, but this semester has been very busy. Between school work, projects and life in general it has been non-stop. The result of which is I have not been able to post on the blog as much as I have wished to. The good news is the end is in sight and the summer will soon be here.

One week from Friday I will be headed to Spain for two weeks to participate in the "Camino." The Camino is one of the oldest pilgrimages in Christianity and involves hiking hundreds of miles. I am excited and can't wait to go. I will be posting more on that tomorrow and in the coming days. I am hoping I will be able to blog from the trail, which should be exciting.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy this photo from Lunch today with many of the guys in my class!

Important Blog News:

Please note this blog will begin being regularly updated after August 21st (when I arrive in Baltimore).