First Camino Conference

What a busy day! I forgot how exhausting and fun conferences can be. Breakfast at 8 AM followed by 3 whole group speakers: Wisdom of the Elders by Rebekah Scott, Preparing the Great Invasion by Laurie Dennett which was about the priest who marked the trails with the yellow arrows and really started getting communities involved, and 1000 Years of French Pilgrim Tradition by Ron McClatchie.

Off to a quick lunch and back to our break out sessions. I chose The Via Francigena: 3200km Wonder of culture and beauty. This just might be my next Camino. The pictures were fabulous. Toward Beauty, which is the title of the book written by Dennis Garnhum's COVID Camino de Norte adventure, and The Whole Boot: Following Saints across Italy by Dave Whitson who is from Portland and flew in from Italy this morning! He writes guide books and has walked across the US. I was inspired.

After my brain was filled, we had a Mercado and Collection de Sello (stamps) from all the different groups. Finally we had our group picture before dinner. We had gotten bright yellow rain ponchos in our swag bag and someone went on the roof to take pictures. We even tried to make an arrow!

Tonight they are showing The Way, My Way and it goes until 10 PM. I saw the premiere and loved it. With a 6:30 AM walk to the Cruz de Ferro before breakfast, I'll need some extra sleep so I'm skipping the movie. What a great day!Leia mais