{"product":{"product_id":"B086R5DZDB","title":"Lost on the Way: A Journal From the Camino de Santiago","price":"5.99","image_url":"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rLWAcEFtL._SL500_.jpg","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB"},"comments":[{"body":"Yeah, it's a fantastic thing!  \r\n\r\n\r\nAnd the best part really is all the amazing people you meet, and the attitude of everyone on the Camino. People are all so nice and helpful.   \r\n\r\n\r\nAnytime you need ANYTHING on the Camino, someone or something comes along to help and give you what you need. It happens every time.  \r\n\r\n\r\nThere's an absolute ton of info on the Camino out there, and lots of people of have written books about their experience. If you're curious, feel free to check out my [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) , all of which I just recently published :)","subreddit_name":"Journaling","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"well, technically, yes. I went by myself. But you're never alone on the Camino. You meet so many lovely people who are also doing the Camino. You stay in pilgrim hostels which always have some people in them.  \r\n\r\n\r\nBy day 5 I had created a sort of Camino Family (a pretty common experience) and walked pretty much the whole way with them. It was wonderful!  \r\n\r\n\r\nIf you'd be curious about reading more, my journal was just published, actually, and you can read the whole thing as a [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)","subreddit_name":"Journaling","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"Just to prevent people who aren't super familiar with the Camino from getting discouraged from doing it, I think it's important to mention that this depends ENTIRELY on **when** you go, and **which trail** you walk on.\r\n\r\nIf you go in peak season (between July and September) AND you go on the Camino Frances, yes, it's disneyland.\r\n\r\nBut I went in peak season and was on the Camino del Norte, Primitivo, AND the Portugues and there were mostly very few people apart from near a few big cities where people start and stop their Caminos.\r\n\r\nSo for anyone who wants to have a more solitary experience, do a bit of research on which Camino you'd like to do, and when you'd like to go, and you can really have a wonderful experience.\r\n\r\nIt took me 29 days to go from the border with France all the way to the Atlantic coast, and I don't really know how anyone could go much faster, as I was walking as many as 28 miles in day sometimes, and didn't take a rest day.\r\n\r\nI took the Camino del Norte to the Camino Primitivo to Santiago, and I also went to Muxia and Finisterre, before getting on the Camino Portuguese, and really the only portion that I felt was too full was the first 5 days of The Norte, before Bilboa, where many people went home, and the last 100km where you're walking on the Frances. Still, even on those days, I managed to find some time to myself!\r\n\r\nAnd, again, I was doing the Camino right at the tail end of the peak season.\r\n\r\nIt was without a doubt one of the most powerful, exciting, and beneficial experiences of my life. I would encourage anyone interested in doing it to get to planning and go as soon as you can!\r\n\r\nIf anyone is interested in reading more about my experience, and what it was like to be on the camino, feel free to check out the [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) which was just recently published. It's my private journal which I kept every day of the Camino, and is all about what I was going through, mentally, physically, and spiritually, as well as all the fun details about what it's like being on the camino.","subreddit_name":"travel","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"Great movie! It inspired lots of people to walk the Camino, and if you enjoyed the movie, you'll absolutely love walking the Camino! It goes without saying that, while it's a great film, the magic of the Camino is just something else entirely!  \r\n\r\n\r\nI hope you can make it happen!  \r\n\r\n\r\nIf you happen to need some more inspiration, or are just curious about what it's like to be on the Camino, feel free to check out my book about my experience on the camino, which was recently published in [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), and [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)  \r\n\r\n\r\nAnd if you ever need a packing guide, this S. Yates's [Camino de Santiago Packing Guide](https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrim-Tips-Packing-Camino-Santiago-ebook/dp/B00CCQ4YLG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1\u0026amp;keywords=camino+packing+guide\u0026amp;qid=1597777132\u0026amp;s=digital-text\u0026amp;sr=1-1) made my Camino a breeze!  \r\n\r\n\r\nBest of luck and buen Camino!","subreddit_name":"travel","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"My Camino Journal was just published by a small publishing house, Rowfant Press, and you can read the whole thing as a [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)\r\n\r\nAnd if you want to learn about the Camino in a more in a more digestible Podcast format, [here's an episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VoDVNM4uIIh0DeOP079qT?si=Kf_hlyEVS3eElf12laxZ6Q) of a very popular Pilgrim Podcast ([El Camino de Santiago Pilgrims' Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/381rn8U9J4AnhHURJ8hVYk?si=eR6DXsoXQS-nMNblxaMe3Q)) where I was interviewed about my experience :)","subreddit_name":"CaminoDeSantiago","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"My Camino Journal was just published by a small publishing house, Rowfant Press, and you can read the whole thing as a [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)\r\n\r\nAnd if you want to learn about the Camino in a more in a more digestible Podcast format, [here's an episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VoDVNM4uIIh0DeOP079qT?si=Kf_hlyEVS3eElf12laxZ6Q) of a very popular Pilgrim Podcast ([El Camino de Santiago Pilgrims' Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/381rn8U9J4AnhHURJ8hVYk?si=eR6DXsoXQS-nMNblxaMe3Q)) where I was interviewed about my experience :)\r\n\r\nIf you happen to read it, I'd love to hear what you think about it!","subreddit_name":"spain","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"hahahahaha, I'm not sure about making bank! Authors aren't generally known to be massively wealthy people XD  \r\n\r\n\r\nBut, my journal was indeed just published by a small publishing house, Rowfant Press, and you can read the whole thing as a [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)  \r\n\r\n\r\nAnd if you want to learn more in a more digestible format, [here's an episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VoDVNM4uIIh0DeOP079qT?si=Kf_hlyEVS3eElf12laxZ6Q) of a very popular Pilgrim Podcast where I was interviewed about my experience :)\r\n\r\nIf you happen to read it, I'd love to hear what you think about it!","subreddit_name":"Journaling","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"Boy, that's a loaded question! There was so much that I loved about it, I couldn't possibly say what my favorite part was, but I list a few things that I loved about it to get your juices flowing!  \r\n\r\n\r\n* The scenery is stunning (there are of course some ugly industrial bits, but it's generally gorgeous)\r\n* The simplicity of it. You carry practically nothing. You need practically nothing. You have 1 goal every day: Walk. Your life will never be simpler than when you're on the Camino\r\n* The camaraderie. The Pilgrim spirit is alive in everyone, and everyone is happy to help when you need something, and you'll be happy to help as well.\r\n* Every night feels kind of like a big slumber party. Lights out in the hostels is at 10:30 usually, so everyone goes to bed together and generally wakes together.\r\n* The food and coffee all along the Camino is amazing and cheap.\r\n* The solitude and time for reflection.\r\n* The friends you make. It's amazing how many people you open up to and how many people open up to you.\r\n* The excitement and adventure. It's just a wonderful journey and every day is an adventure.\r\n* The exercise. The Camino whips you right into shape.\r\n* The OCEAN! I walked on the Camino del Norte, which is a path that goes along the northern coast of Spain, so you're always by the ocean for the most part. It was so wonderful to be so close to the ocean for so long, especially as someone who comes from Dallas, TX, where there's not a whole lot of Ocean nearby!  \r\n\r\n\r\nThanks for asking about the book! If you'd like to read it, it was just published by a small publishing house, Rowfant Press, and you can read the whole thing as a [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)  \r\n\r\n\r\nIf you do read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!","subreddit_name":"Journaling","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"Thanks very much! If you'd like to read more about my experience, my journal was just published, actually, and you can read the whole thing as a [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)  \r\n\r\n\r\nYou can also check out [this episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VoDVNM4uIIh0DeOP079qT?si=pszBy4HkShaj_PIHmN8NiA) of a podcast about Pilgrims where the host interviews me about my experience and what it was like for me!","subreddit_name":"Journaling","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"Have hope! You can have an amazing time on the Camino.\r\n\r\nIf you go on the Camino Frances between July and August, it's a bit like Disneyland for hikers and walkers, but that's the most popular trail!\r\n\r\nI did the Camino del Norte ( the 2nd least popular of them because people are afraid it's too hilly) in late August/Early Sept. 2017. It was a bit busy in the beginning, but after passing Bilbao 5 days into the journey, where a lot of people went home, it was lovely and remote. Then I got off the Camino del Norte (which is fantastic because it's by the sea the entire way) in Oviedo and I got on the Camino Primitivo, the oldest and LEAST traveled of all the Caminos. It was, as it's name suggests, primitive in the sense that there were VERY few people. I'd walk alone with no one around most days, and the scenery is incredible as you cross through the mountains.\r\n\r\nThen I spen a couple days on the Camino Portugues, the 2nd most traveled camino, and there was really no one at all.\r\n\r\nSo it all just depends, but the point is, have hope, avoid peak season, DEFINITELY avoid the Camino Frances in peak season, and you're going to have a wonderful time.\r\n\r\nThere are definitely moments where it can get busy, but if you go in the off-season, and choose any trail BESIDES the FRANCES, you'll have all the solitude you'd like.  \r\n\r\n\r\nI actually just had a book of my experience published :)  \r\n\r\n\r\nIf you'd like to read more about my experience, and what it was like to be on the camino, feel free to check out the [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)","subreddit_name":"travel","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"},{"body":"That's so exciting! You'll all have such a wonderful experience.  \r\n\r\n\r\nIf you'd like to read more about my experience, and what it was like to be on the camino, feel free to check out the [paperback](https://www.rowfantpress.com/product-page/lost-on-the-way), [ebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086R5DZDB), or [audiobook](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Way-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/B08BVYJ5SV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=\u0026amp;sr=) :)","subreddit_name":"Journaling","author":"BlakeUsesInternet"}]}