Life after the Camino gets better and better for me!

[joe]

Just an update on how my life has been completely changed since "hearing" about the Camino back in April this year. Just to keep everyone up to date I will give a quick overview of my journey these past few months:

I was initially aware of the Camino after watching the movie "The Way", but it was only when I 'googled' it that I became more and more interested in it, and after 3 days of reading about it, I booked my flights and joined this forum... 4-5 weeks later I was walking over the Pyrenees mountains! Reasons for doing it so quickly was because I was going through a difficult time, life was pressing down hard and I wanted to get away to change my views on life. When I stumbled across "The Way" I had no idea what it was about, but once I watched it a spark went off in my head and I was impelled to look into it. It seemed like it was the perfect thing I needed, so without giving it a second thought I went ahead and rushed right into it... it was one of those moments "It's now or never".

I walked... and walked... and walked, and 31 days later I was in Santiago... and then I walked some more, to the End of the World (Finisterre), where I had a nice relaxing 5 day holiday before returning to Santiago for another 4 days to reflect on the journey (where else is better to reflect than Santiago).

After 7 weeks of being away I returned home to Liverpool in July. I caught up with everything that was happening on these forums, and then after a short while one member emailed me with a link to another forum which contained a job opportunity as a Youth Worker... a Youth Worker whose role it was to organise and plan a youth group pilgrimage to Santiago! Without hesitation I applied for it, I waited 2 long weeks and then finally got a reply inviting me to an interview (he had just returned home from holiday so was late in replying). I attended the interview, and he told me he would let me know the outcome by email shortly, which made me instantly think "I've messed up", but surprisingly the next morning there was an email in my inbox informing me that I got the job and would be starting 2 weeks later (at the beginning of September). I was delighted!

At this point both my parents and I were amazed at how much I had changed and how much the Camino has turned my life around. However, it seemed like as soon as I got home, I was going away again, but this was one parade that couldn't be rained on!

One month of starting my new job I have already walked the Camino again (from Leon this time), and will be walking a further 2 times in the coming months. My next walk will be in March/April time, this was planned by accident, I was meant to spend 2 weeks with a lady who lives close to the Camino route near Burgos, and then after that I was meant to go to Santiago to be trained on how to work in... wait for it... the Pilgrim Office!! Giving people their compostelas!! But my new boss asked me if I wanted to walk from Burgos to Santiago, instead of getting the train... how could I say no to that?!
The other pilgrimage that I'll be walking will be in the following July which is when I will be leading a group of youngsters (16-25 year olds) from Leon to Santiago... so I am sorry in advance for any of you that may have the unfortunate luck of bumping into us, although my ideas are to let them walk individually or in small groups, and meet up at an agreed destination, just so that we don't ruin other peoples pilgrimage by taking up all of the road!

So, that's the update! I just wanted to post it to encourage others that the Camino can and will change your life if you truly want to.

Buen Camino!

Joe.

[Lipka149]

Amazing ! Simply amazing !

Thanks for the update Joe. Ever so happy for you !

[HuskyNerd]

Thanks for sharing this update, Joe. And congratulations on your new life!

[grayland]

Joe...once again the Camino provides what is needed. When I saw the opportunity on the other forum and alerted you to it, I was certain that it was meant for you. It proved to true.
We are all happy to be part of your great adventure. Your life is certainly changed, as many are by the Camino.
Buen Camino (s)
Ed

[Covey]

The Camino moves in mysterious ways!!