Last year, I lectured to over 14,000 art educators and enthusiasts spreading the gospel of art wearing 100% polyester crazy pants.
This year–the pants come off.
In June and July, I’ll be hiking 500 miles through Southern France and Northern Spain along the medieval pilgrimage route known as the Way of Saint James; visiting over 1,800 historic sites–from Romanesque chapels, to Gothic Cathedrals to medieval icons, to Templar hold outs. My camera and I will be sleeping everywhere from church portals to ancient hostels to town squares. And at the end, I’ll dance under the famous stars of Santiago de Compostela and visit the bones of Saint James.
In so doing, I hope to regain that thing I’ve lost. My love for art.
Over Thanksgiving 2009, I became sick and "accidentally" perforated my oesophagus through coughing. Duke University Hospital spent the next 25 days repairing my oesophagus and cleaning me up through two major surgeries. In the interim, I was unable to eat or drink anything through my mouth for 39 days. I lost 47 pounds and was sent home with the body of an extremely frail, 95-year-old man suffering tons of pain. Since release, five days of each week are dedicated to rehabilitation.
The good news is that I lost no body parts, never have to worry about this happening again, nor have to take any medications. The bad news is that my 24-hour, non-stop, passionate love affair with art has been unduly interrupted! Since the mid-nineties, I have been exploring every facet of art with all my being. Now, since "the incident," I face my first major setback.
Hence, my pilgrimage along the Way. I want to sweat, bleed and battle daily exhaustion in my fight to complete my rehabilitation and to love art as I once did. This trip is not about religion. It is about one art historian’s love for art; and my attempt to get that love back. To once again be the "world’s most fired-up art historian."
And in the process, get some real sexy legs!
This is a guest post by Lee Sandstead
I too love art, although doesn´t sound like as much as you. I leave Roncesvalles to walk on May 16th 2010. I do not have a guide book as I wanted to save the weight and figured I could borrow others´ along the way if need be. Also, because this is such a popular route, I have heard that just by talking to people you will find out what to see, where to sleep, culture, etc.
In your opinion how can I not miss important sites in pueblos/ cities?
Does the camino path follow along most of the important places and sites?
I´m extremely excited to start (but nervous about feet problems as well)
Thanks for your advice,
Liz