OMG I can't believe how lucky I am

This via Francigena which I will be cycling later next week was original documented by the bishop Sigeric, who journey from Canterbury to Rome (via France/Switzerland over the St. Bernard pass) a thousand years ago. My journey is shorter and mainly from Rosalinda's house (a dear fellow pilgrim whom I had met on my Camino de Santiago in 2006) in Milan to Rome.

Tha would be 787 km instead of the 1900 km from Canterbury. I am so happy and honoured to be able to start from her house (or her albergue de peregrinos as she calls it).

When Rosalinda found out that I would need to get 2 things when I get to Milan, she went ahead and got me those ahead of time without my asking. The bike (with rear rack and bottle cage) and local SIM card is there waiting for me. I really owed her a lot, especially the effort on her part to get them. You are an angel Rosalinda!

 

Yes, it's the same budget MTB from Decathlon that I have already have here in Singapore (so no learning curve) which I plan to sell (or donate) upon my arrival in Rome. It's much easier for logistics than to bring one's bike on the plane and also cheaper than rentals.

Now all I need to do is to get off my a** and start packing. I keep forgetting that it's  different than packing for a walk.

Picasa photo album of my Camino del Norte

Including photos not posted to this blog.

Link - Camino del Norte

The video of the sunset in Fisterra

The wind noise can't be helped as I don't have any special microphone with me there.

What a great way to end the last of walking at Land's end in Fisterra, at sunset, and the sweet voice of Miya playing the guitar.

Miya is a musician. You can check out more about her and her music from her website and also her Facebook page.

http://miyaautumn.com
http://www.facebook.com/MiyaAutumn

Meeting of pilgrims - 2 years later

 

We have now another member, my wife. Here's the picture taken 2 years ago.

Santiago de Compostela - View from an Oktokopter

View of Compostela from the remote control helicopter.

Also, O´Cebreiro in winter along the Camino Frances.

http://vimeo.com/19009743

Love those videos made by these choppers.

Mérida - Camino via de la Plata - Oktokopter

 

Mérida is a ancient Roman city along the Camino via de la Plata. Taken from a very stable 8 blades remote control chopper.

A Coruña - The Camino Inglés - Taken from a Oktokopter

 

Starting point for the short Camino Inglés (English route)

Garmin gps preloaded with the Caminos de Santiago data

With this, you will always know when you deviate away from the path. (via Ivar)

Flying through video googles in the Basque Country

Cove GSpot vs the Easystar FPV from BasqueMTB on Vimeo. Nice view of the Basque Country. Would make a good camino cam.

A Camino de Santiago pilgrim from Singapore - Video

Link

Hey Chris, Buen Camino!

(via - 25th April's entry)

The Way - Movie Trailer

The trailer for The Way (Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez) is out. The movie is currently in post production. No release date have been given yet. Very soon, one of the best kept secret will be out in the mainstream.


It's making me want to drop everything and walk again.

A Meeting of Pilgrims - Bénédicte

Over the year end, I had the privilege of spending an evening with a dear peregrina Bénédicte and her family near Pontarlier after our vacation around the French Auvergne region. Wow, has it already been three and a half years?

Spanish Callejeros TV Program on The Camino

(Part1)

via

Managed to find the other 3 parts on YouTube. (Part2, Part3, Part4)

A nice nostalgic trip back to the camino. An interesting look from the Spanish media on the Camino. Like the raw feel in the presentation. Gosh, I missed walking the camino...

Camino Video - The Women Who Walk

Link

I still think one should go alone or with a companion and discover the camino by themselves rather than in a big group. But hey, that may be the only way for some to experience the metaphor of life.

More Camino Documentary – Preview

Link

Elf Yourself is ready for the Xmas 2008 season

Taken from my other blog, Elf Yourself 2008.

Technorati tags: elfyourself, xmas, ecards

Time Magazine's Article On The Camino de Santiago

It's from an Time Magazine issue dated July 5th, 2004. A great humorous piece on the Camino from Lydia Itoi called Steps Towards Heaven.

Technorati tags: camino de santiago, time, magazine

Come Walk With Me Santiago

Here's a self-published book from Josephine whom I met her in 2006 on my Camino Frances. Josephine finally completed her camino after four attempts.

Here is how you can get her book:

The book “COME WALK WITH ME SANTIAGO” tells the story of my 800 kilometre walk across Spain. It is a chronicle about this journey on foot under all kinds of conditions a long trek along Spain’s beautiful Northern provinces. All the information needed for a pilgrimage is found in this book. It also includes all information where to go day and night and how to live on this road .The Camino de Santiago de Compostella.

ORDERING INFORMATION

Price: $ 42, -- Canadian+ shipping FOR EUROPE 35 EURO-plus shipping.

Payment can be done with a money order

Include full mailing address to:

Technorati tags: camino de santiago, book

Video on my Camino Via de la Plata

At just under 11 minutes, this is a long video (montage of images) of my Camino Via de la Plata spanning 39 days (normally around 35-40 days).

I was pleasantly surprised when YouTube accepted the video, as they normally would not take in any video that is more than 10 minutes long.

Choosing the music for the video had been tough. In the end I've decided on a flamenco piece (Al Di Meola - Flamenco Classical) followed by another medieval number (Dead Can Dance - Saltarello).

Hope you enjoy it.

Technorati tags: camino de santiago, via de la Plata, video, montage, images

Video - Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre

 

Before I get around to compiling a video montage for my Camino Via de la Plata, here's a short one from the 3 days walk from Santiago to Finisterre, bus to Muxia and back to Compostela again.

The music is from 'Dead Can Dance' titled 'The Arrival and the Reunion'. I find this track very appropriate as it is exactly what this is, a reunion of pilgrims from our Camino in 2006, each of us coming from different directions.

For Mike, Rosalinda, Cinzia, Béné (who is not able to make it), and all other pilgrims I've met on my Camino Frances in 2006.

Technorati tags: video, camino de santiago, finisterre, fisterra, muxia, compostela