Summer 2025 - Camino de Santiago
This is a 1500km pilgrimage from Le Puy-en-Velay, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The trek should take 6-7 weeks. Trekkers (in the thousands!) stay at churches, hostels, or camp along the way. Most people choose shorter routes but I will complete the longest route, because why not!?
Camino Blog
31/03/2025
Day Before Departure to London, UK
I went from an apartment, to a car, and now to a backpack. Having downsized twice now, I realize how many things I had that I don't really need. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a truely minimalist lifestyle in contrast to one of relative excess. So, I've got my spork, my headlamp, and my journal. It's time to adventure.
04/04/2025
Edinburgh
Alas, I have made it to my first destination, Scotland. I don't think I've ever been awake for 30 hours, but between moving out, catching ferries, flights, and buses - all with some delays - I arrived in London at 11:30 AM. At that point I had been awake for 24 hours, apparently you're supposed to fight jet lag until you sync with their time zone, but by 5 PM London time I had to sleep and did so for 11 hours. That was the best sleep I've ever had. London seemed quite familiar from the little I saw, lot's of graffiti and old housing. Edinburgh however, blew my mind. I have never before seen such dense and pervasive old school architecture. Seeing a majestic castle atop a great green hill in the middle of town reminded me of Mel Gibson with a blue face. I arrived at my forst volunteer spot, it's quite dirty here but there's a very strong and friendly community of diverse humans. There are four of us to a room, and about three rooms. I may stay here for three weeks or one, there is a another volunteer option in Vezelay, France in a castle. I may go there instead. I had ablayover in Iceland and I was very impressed how strong a culture an island nation of 400,000 has; strong economy and stronger language. Anyway, it's 7:30 AM here and my three roomates from Manchester, Italy, and Diego from I don't know yet are all still aound asleep. It's time to start my first day as a volunteer in Edinburgh!