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rena's avatar

"Today's stories about human adaptability, navigation, and movement are the perfect send-off for my thru-hike in Spain, where I will follow an ancient pilgrimage route to the city of Santiago de Compostela."

This issue is indeed a perfect send-off to your Camino. Human adaptability to the outdoors and our connection with nature. From ancient footprints to Señor Pocol, the tree planter, and the benefits of outdoor child's play.

We're looking forward to Postcards. Buen Camino ☕🎒

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anne's avatar

My morning coffee is going to be more informative because of your Camino journey. Walking (imho) is a form of learning and meditating in the realm of human experience. I’m very excited to receive your postcards😆

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

There is certainly a meditative element in walking, especially for those who spend too many hours behind screens. The timing of my posts will be less predictable, but likely more at tea time and not every day.

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anne's avatar

I’m looking forward eagerly to read your posts from the Camino no matter when they arrive! You’re such a wonderful writer that I’ll no doubt “experience” what you see on your walk vicariously 😁

Be safe and well…

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, Anne 😊

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Rain's avatar

Can't wait to see what you discover on your journey. Send us a postcard :)

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Alynne Hanford's avatar

Just became a full fledged member, as I so enjoy your nature/animal pictures and excellent articles! Wishing you the best on your long Camino!

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you Alynne, that’s so kind of you. 🙏😊

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Lizzie's avatar

Nice stories today.

Best wishes for a good Camino experience. Looking forward to it.

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Aida Brunell's avatar

Very welcome : " I will (likely) take a short break from writing this weekend. I just counted how many days it was since the last time that there was a day that I did not publish this newsletter: 31 days. But I need tomorrow to prepare for the long walk and buy the necessary gear in Oslo, and I will travel all day on Sunday."

And Hopefully NO however will disturb.

Thanks for the many beans left to discover or research.

Farewell and good journey.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, Aida

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Mike Foley's avatar

Buen Camino, Alexander. I am looking forward to joining you on this path via your postcards during my morning coffee. Will you be using Relive again when/if you have the time?

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Hi Mike, yes, I’ll record on relive but I know from previous experience that it’s not doable in the evenings to work with video, there is no reliable wifi and often no time either. I might post them later once I’m back home.

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Alta Irwin's avatar

Our lives are richer seeing the world through your eyes, Alexander. The moths navigating by the stars drawn inexorably by its magnetic forces ; your pilgrimage following the footpath of so many before. While reading your wonderful post I was reminded how we are ‘the stuff of stars’ as it is said… that the changing universe has an effect on our behavior as it does on the planet itself. So, as you walk on your journey of discovery, internally and externally, those stars above you are beacons of light.

I am privileged to be part of your family of followers. Thank you, Alexander! See you at 10am on the trails.🩵 Take care.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, Alta. Without those stars as beacons of light to guide us, there likely wouldn’t have been a pilgrimage. The name “Compostela” in Santiago de Compostela is believed to derive from the Latin phrase Campus Stellae, which means “Field of Stars.” It’s said that it was a vision, a shower of stars, that led to the discovery of the burial site of the Apostle Saint James around 813 AD. The vision guided a hermit to the site, which became a pilgrimage destination and eventually the city and cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

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Alta Irwin's avatar

Oh my..! Thoughts and ‘memories’ are like fragments of buried DNA that surface, sometimes in extra-ordinary ways. I now wonder if there is an ancient celestial map of 813AD that could be compared with a current one. How did people behave then? Was there upheaval? Was there atmospheric change? What was the Camino like then? What is the story iof Saint James and his impact on the people? As usual, Alexander, you have opened yet another door ..:)

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