Dinner with Michele and Rainer in Dortmund it's been a year.

When I was getting near the end of my Camino I made a commitment that I would do my best to return to the Camino with Robin and visit many of the cities and villages I walked through. The goal would be to spend more time actually getting to see the places I just did not have time to appreciate. There were more than a handful of days where I was just so focused on finding the Camino signs and on not getting lost that I just didn't see anything else.

In addition I also planned to find the Dos Jose's who drove me to Villafarnca after I wondered more than ten miles off the Camino and into their card game. Last but not least I also planned to travel to Germany to have dinner with Michele and Rainer at Restorante Michele in Dortmund.

A lot has happened since I returned last June from the Camino and some of my plans have changed. We are now on an airplane headed to Lisbon by way of London to meet my brother and sister-in-law to board the Silversea's, Silver Cloud for a nine day cruise which ends in Normandy, France where we will participate in the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing on June 6th. The ship has been charted by The National WWII Museum. There are 280 passengers including a number of famous WWII historians and a number of well known speakers including Tom Brokaw author of The Greatest Generation.

With our new travel plans we will not be going to Spain. Once we leave Normandy we will take a train to Paris, stay for two nights and then head to Germany. I am toying with the idea of a second Camino in May and June next year. Perhaps a repeat of the French route which would give me a chance to find the Dos Jose's or a new route from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago. I'm sure there will be a discussion with Michele and Rainer about getting together again on the Camino.  

Once again the goal is to write this blog for my Grandson's Brayden and Taylor. Hopefully it will give them a sense of what makes me tick. I'm certainly not sure how they will react to the way I think and act and more importantly to what I believe in.

I will start with this .... Memorial Day was just three days ago on May 26th. Unfortunately the purpose of Memorial Day has all but disappeared from it's original objective of honoring those who have served in uniform and most importantly those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. 

How sad it is that we have allowed Memorial Day to turn into primarily another three day weekend where the retailor's could promote their Memorial Day sales in order to make a normally slow Monday into a revenue bonanza. The least the retailor's could do would be to pledge some percentage of all of their Memorial Day sales to go directly to The Wounded Warriors organization. Turning a dead Monday into a profit machine on a day meant to be focused on those who died keeping us free is a sad reminder of how far we as a Nation have so easily forgotten the meaning of Memorial Day.

On a toll-road where I live the digital sign said "Happy Memorial Day". What does that mean? It's not Christmas, Thanksgiving or any number of other "Holidays". It should be a day to remember how fortunate we are and a very sad and difficult day for all of the families and friends of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while wearing the uniform. 

I grew up in a small blue collar town, West Haven, Connecticut. Our small town had three young men who made that ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Their names are on the town's Vietnam War Memorial which lists all of the names of those from our little town who served in Vietnam. 

Each of the men who gave their lives are listed on the Memorial with one difference ... each of their name's has with it a Gold Star which acknowledges their sacrifice.

Many of my friends and my brother Bob served in Vietnam. They survived and yet they too made great sacrifices. It changed their lives in ways which cannot be understood by those who did not share the experience. Many continue to struggle with their unthinkable memories. Given the recent scandle involving the poor care being provided to our Veterans we should all be deeply concerned with how those who gave so much are now being cheated out of what should be a quality health care benefit. It's the least we could do.

Does anyone believe that the Congresional health care system is facing the same problems? Not a chance. The members of a Congress would never allow for such to take place. Come to think of it the all wonderful Affordable Care Act (AKA the Obamacare) wasn't even good enough for the members of Congress but it is of course just what the "Doctor" ordered for the rest of us. Keep in mind it may not be the same Doctor you have been seeing for years but of course that's just a small part of what makes Obamacare so special.

 I was drafted in 1967. That's a letter I never will forget. "Greetings" ... The President of The United States is calling you to serve.  At the end of the letter the tone is a bit different as it so plainly explains that if you fail to report at the designated time and place you will be spending some time in another Goverment facility wearing a very different Goverment issued uniform.

I was lucky. When I completed my training I was sent to Germany. Most of those I trained with were not as lucky and were sent to Vietnam. I learned a great deal in my two years with the Army but most of all I learned to respect those who were not as fortunate as I was. That respect goes to all who have served, not just during the Vietnam War but for all who have served. I look forward to thanking those who I will meet in Normandy who were there 70 years ago on June 6th. There are six men on the ship who served in WWII, one who landed on Omaha beach on that memorable day.

Robin and I shared a table with one of the six veterans who served in WWII, he is now 93 and I can only hope to be as sharp as he is when I'm 73.  He told me about his three years at sea in the Merchant Marine delivering all of the critical supplies for the war. He also told me about one convoy which he was a part of in the Mediterranean which started with sixty ships. In less than two nights the German U-Boats sank more than half of the ships in the convoy. He was among the lucky. 

There are countless stories about D-Day, many which tell about incredible heroism and great tragedy. Here is one small sample of such a tragedy written by US Army Colonel (Retired) Keith M. Nightingale.

The invasion beaches will be serenaded by bands, banners and pomp and circumstance. Speeches will be made by famous elected and appointed leaders from around the world recounting the events and meanings that took place in Normandy 70 years ago on June 6, 1944. Quickly, the crowds will disappear, the tides will continue and the events forgotten. But the real meaning of Normandy, 6 June 1944, lives on in the obscure rural towns and villages of the Normandy Peninsula and more honestly reflects the true meaning of the event. For these people 6 June 1944, is a moment and spirit to be honored in perpetuity. Such a place is Hemevez.

                                                 THE MEANING OF NORMANDY

Hemevez is very small obscure farm town near the more populace city of Picauville. Here in this tiny village sits at the top of a little hill a small church surrounded by a graveyard of several hundred years with monuments to the various wars that the men of Hemevez served and sacrificed. The monuments are close by a farm field and gathered together much like gravestones of the past. On one edge, in an open sunny place, is a unique stone. It is polished black granite with gold letters. Unlike the others, it is not an obelisk but rectangular. There are words and names on it lettered in gold. It truly stands alone among the others and is treated as such.

Across the top are the simple words in French, In Remembrance of the Fallen Soldiers 6 June 1944. Under are seven names. All are members of 507th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, 6 June 1944. 

On that night, 14 soldiers of Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, at 0240 were misdropped over the village of Hemevez and captured by the local German unit.

Seven escaped and seven were lined up and shot at the church. The villagers buried those seven within the grounds and later, as the Allies cleared the area, repatriated those bodies. However, the villagers did not forget them or what they signified and built this monument in their memory. Each year, at the anniversary period, the village gathers in the church yard and remembers those teenagers of long ago and what they meant for their grandparents, for them and their succeeding generations.

                                On the back of the monument is the statement in French,

                In Memory of the 7 American Parachutists of the 82nd Airborne Division

                    Who were executed in this vicinity of this community 6 June 1944

And we still treat our Memorial Day as part of a three day shopping weekend. Shame on us.

I look forward to visiting the American cemetery to pay my respects to those who never came back. 

The Camino into Pamplona .... just two photos

Motivated to walk The Camino, I'm amazed.

I have heard from a few people that after reading my blog that they have decided to plan to Walk The Camino Frances. 

It's true. They are serious and have already taken steps in their planning. I only hope that they prepare and train well in advance. I would hate to be a motivator who causes people to journey to France and have a terrible experience. I will do my best to help.

First things first. When do you want to go? How much time can you set aside for the journey. What will be your training routine? Will you go alone or with others? Where will you start? Will you plan for accommodations or just take each day as it comes and find a place to stay when you arrive at your next destination?

There are so many other questions I would like to ask. Clothing and gear are at the top of the list and if not planned for diligently could result in a less than memorable journey.

I look forward to trying to help.

My Camino withdrawal .... How can you miss walking 15 miles a day?

The question is for most people silly. Miss walking 15 miles a day? Who has the time to walk for five or six hours everyday? Not many of us. It's also true that if you do it everyday you would need more than six hours. Weather, hills , fatigue and more all play into the daily walk of 15 or more miles. 

I walked 14 miles today on my old training route without my backpack and the added 22 pounds and it was very different. Today the weather was perfect down along the beach to San Clemente. No hills, no weather to deal with and no weight. 

I took along a small snack and a bottle of water. No need to be concerned about the water because I can just stop at any number of gas stations or convenience stores along the way and buy whatever I need. Not exactly like The Camino. 

The biggest difference was the lack of solitude. Traffic, trains along the beach, people on bikes , construction crews and the occasional  police car or ambulance with its lights blinking and sirens blaring just don't remind me of The Camino. 

I miss the solitude. The long walks in a strange place with endless views all without any unnatural sounds is tough to reproduce. 

I was with Robin last week with friends at a birthday party when I was asked what I missed most about the journey. It made me think and I now know what it is ....  It's the solitude. That rare commodity we all just don't focus on .... The peace and quite to just be alone to think and reflect. I miss that. 

When I tried to answer the question it caused me to remember someting I did on The Camino which I did not write in my daily post. Not sure why I did not include it. Perhaps I just didn't think much of it at the time but I do now. 

I was walking alone, it was a beautiful day and the trail was flat and in good condition. I could see forever in all directions . I stopped in the middle of the trail and took off my backpack and sat on a rock on the side of the trail. I had a snack and drank some water but my focus was simply to just look around me for as far as I could see and focus on just how special this place was and that I was one of a relatively small number of people who had the opportunity to experience this. Completely quiet, not a soul in any direction, I was alone. But I was wrong.

Out of no where a young Spaniard walked up to me. He just seemed to suddenly be there. I had sat there for a short time and I had focused on just taking it all in and being alone so I somehow just never saw him behind me on the trail. He walked up to where I was and simply said " hola, Buen Camino". I returned the favor.

He stopped , removed his backpack and sat on a nearby rock. He drank a little water and said to me just this ..."beautiful". I just shook my head. He then took out his pack of Spanish size Marlboros and lit one. He then offered me one and I took it not wanting to offend him. We sat there smoking our little Marlboro's without saying another word. 

He finished his Marlboro, put on his backpack and once again said  " Buen Camino " and he left. I never saw him again . That's what I miss about The Camino. The solitude, the occasional surprise and the knowledge that once I put on my backpack again I would be one step closer to my next surprise. I can't find that walking 14 miles to and from San Clemente. 

I'm not complaing  about living here . There are a lot of people who would love to live here. Soon when winter wraps its cold arms around people back east there will be a lot more who might want to take a walk with me to San Clemente even if it's a bit noisey .

I know there is more to write. I just need to find the motivation.

After the Camino

I will not attempt to explain all of the reasons why I have decided to continue my Camino journey blog nearly six months after I returned from Santiago. A recent meetings with friends who followed my journey and offered great support without hesitation while also asking me to go back and write again has certainly had an impact on my decision. 

 Their support helped me take my first step onto The Camino everyday for 34 days and for that I will always be appreciative . 

I am as surprised as anyone with the number of times people ask me if I will continue to write on my Blog. It does occur more often than anyone would believe . It's equally surprising that there continues to be people reading the Blog everyday. The feedback has now caused me to rethink the idea of continuing to write.

Robin and I recently visited with a great friend who is fighting a personal medical challenge. I was moved beyond explanation when she told me how much she enjoyed reading my posts each day while facing a very difficult daily medical procedure none of us should ever have to endure.

I was thrilled and a little embarrassed when she said that the daily posts helped her greatly as she dealt with treatment and the fear of what she was facing. She enthusiastically told me how much she looked forward to waking in the morning eager to catch up on my journey. I can only hope that whatever I now post can in some small way continue to help her in the fight against this awful disease .

I will soon reach out to her and arrange a long lunch to sit with her and to more personally share with her my Camino. We had very little time on this last visit and I look forward to seeing her soon. 

While she and others have been nice enough to tell me how much they looked forward to reading about my Camino journey, I now realize that for a few my daily writings caused them to see me differently. Unfortunately I have even sensed a degree of discomfort with some when we are in the same company. 

I'm not sure why but I believe that it has to do with the references to my Camino's spiritual experience.

It was never my intention to write anything which could be seen as trying to force or promote my beliefs. I also never intended to make anyone uncomfortable but I'm afraid that has happened. More about that in the future.

My writings have always been focused on having my Grandchildren get a glimpse of who I was, how I think and my beliefs. I'm not trying to recruit anyone or judge anyone who sees the world differently. It was for that reason I kept much of my thoughts to myself. I avoided every person and conversation on The Camino of a political nature because as I said during my journey I was not going to allow any such conversations to in anyway destroy the very positive experience I was having. Believe me if I had decided to allow my political beliefs into the Blog it would have destroyed the purpose of what I was trying to accomplish. 

I will continue to abide by that rule in any additional writings. 

I have now been back for six moths and I have had an opportunity to reflect on my Camino. On occasion I look at the photos taken many of which were not posted and they have helped me to recall many memories which also were not posted. I will be working on going a bit more granular.

Again, the primary goal will be my attempt to leave behind a story written for my Grandchildren which also continues to give me a personal reward. 

My next post ( no schedule ) will be about my return. Until then, thanks for joining me,Jim.