A Virtual Pilgrimage Group Leaves the USA for the Long Walk to Santiago

[HuskyNerd]

Dear Forum friends ~

Many people in my church have listened to my stories of past Caminos with longing in their hearts and too few dollars in their pockets or vacation days at their work to take up a pilgrimage themselves. At their request I've put together a (first-ever, I believe) "Cyber Pilgrimage to Santiago."

Our group of 12 pilgrims is adding up their miles of exercise walking and/or running here in the Seattle area and each week using these to tabulate how far they're progressing on an imaginary or "virtual" pilgrimage from St Jean Pied-de-Port to Santiago via the Camino Frances. I'm supplying the travelogues for the group from my memories and images (PhotoShopped with their faces) of our group's experiences. They'll be supplying stories, personal testimonials, and interesting tidbits from their imaginings of the Camino.

I invite you to follow along. We walk beginning today, 27 January 2011. Your words of encouragement, advice and reminiscences of your own camino are most welcome in the "Comments" sections of the blog. It's all for free and for fun. Your imagination will make it even better. Perhaps we should "meet" you in your favorite Camino village. Send me some info about our meeting via this Forum and I'll find a way to include you as our new virtual pilgrim friend.

We just "left" Seattle and are about to "board our jet" for Madrid. Give us your blessing and wish us good luck and safe travels! You can find us at:

Cyber Pilgrimage to Santiago

All the best ~
HuskyNerd
(Rev. Sandy Brown, First United Methodist Church, Seattle WA USA)

[grayland]

This a great idea and should be very popular with both those who who been fortunate to experience the Camino and those who still have the Camino to look forward to.
Hopefully all will "walk" along with you.

[Covey]

I am all in favor of this virtual Pilgrimage thinngy as it solves the problem of buying all that Compeed, blisters and trying to avoid the bedbugs.

As long as I am spared the Virtual Gin & Tonic and can have the real thing to toast you on your Way, Cheers and have a safe journey.

[HuskyNerd]

Covey, thanks so much for your humorous postings on the Cyber Pilgrim blog. Our virtual travelers will really enjoy them! I'm only wishing I was with you at Valcarlos right now, you with a G&T and me with a glass of that omnipresent but cheap and delightful Riojan wine. You're a peach. Many thanks.

[TrekkerfromTexas]

I'm new to this forum, and new to the idea of walking the pilgrimage to Santiago. My husband recently met some ladies on a trail that were training for their trek from Leon to Santiago and they really got him pumped up to take the journey. Soooo...to make this a reality, I want to learn everything I can about it. I want to go now, but of course the planning will take time. I am looking forward to following your cyber pilgrimage and hoping to gain some knowledge and meet people along the way. Peace.

[HuskyNerd]

Welcome to our Cyber Pilgrimage! Don't hesitate to send any questions there or to the Forum. All the best to you in your planning. Buen camino!
--Sandy Brown (HuskyNerd)

[TrekkerfromTexas]

So, I'm wondering what happened to the group that boarded the plane for Madrid??
Are they still circling the airport for their turn to land? Did they get grounded somewhere in route by weather? A loose screw in the engine? Rerouted to Austrailia, or maybe they just don't have internet connection. I hope we hear from them soon, otherwise I just may have to go over to Spain and start lookin' for 'em.

T. from Texas

[grayland]

So, I'm wondering what happened to the group that boarded the plane for Madrid??
Are they still circling the airport for their turn to land? Did they get grounded somewhere in route by weather? A loose screw in the engine? Rerouted to Austrailia, or maybe they just don't have internet connection. I hope we hear from them soon, otherwise I just may have to go over to Spain and start lookin' for 'em.

T. from Texas

Here they are: Cyber Pilgrimage to Santiago

You will have to scroll to the bottom and then work your way up to follow.