We Are Seven

Christian on The Way

Christian in his new Camino clothes.

Christian, a 27 year old from Norway joined us on the Camino 5 days ago.  We met him at an Albergue  in Uterga and he asked Jim if he could walk with him. No one seems more ill equipped to be on the Camino than Christan who is wearing jeans, belt , combat boots, sweaters and has a pack that weighs 50 pounds which holds among other  things, cologne, hair gel and the like.
  He has since gotten rid of his pack and junk but still smokes and is generally having WAY too much fun. He and I tried to create the perfect Camino song to the tune of West Side Story's, " I Feel Pretty". Not a word of Spanish does he speak but he communicates perfectly to all no matter what the language.

Christian and Jim

   He has become part of 7 of us who walk together or at least plan on getting to the same Albergue every day.  George is  from Arizona and  is strong and the wise sage of the group .  He knows everything about feet

Kyoungsin, Jim and George.

( and almost everything!) and keeps us walking.  He is soft spoken,and has been planning this walk for years.  He is the most prepared of our group and joined us 3 days ago.

Rosemary and Christian

 We also are joined by Helena and her 30 year old daughter from South Korea who joined us around the same time.  Helena is a devoted convert to Catholicism and has never been out of her home town, speaks only her language and seems completely dependent on her daughter who is devoted to her.
Marie is also from Minnesota and like Helena, has Catholic roots.

 So , now we are 7 and although we sometimes walk alone and some are taking buses and taxis we plan to eat our meal together and sleep at the same Albergue.

 Jim, George and I have walked every step thus far while others have taken the bus. We are doing the Camino our way, uniquely our Way.

We are supporting each other on this journey, doing our best.  The connection with these people has been the greatest miracle of the Camino.  The weather, the huge effort, sore feet and crazy minds were all overcome through this new Camino Family.

Christian, Rosemary, Jim, Kyoungsin ,Marie and George.( Helena is resting in our Albergue)