Under the Milky Way 0b: About the Way - Camino Frances

It is said that there is a long road under the Milky Way, called St. James Way, a.k.a. Camino Frances. It is a Pilgrimage of St James from ancient time. The journey began in a small village, St. Jean Pied de Port (SJPDP) in France, thus the name of the Pilgrimage Road. At our present time, each year, thousands of people walk on it, to fulfill their wishes, their dreams.

It is also said that Camino Frances, going from east to west across northern Spain, coincides with the orientation of the Milky Way. The pilgrims in ancient times relied on the stars, positions of constellations, to guide them through their journey, under the Milky Way, to their final destination, the shrine of the apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It is said that the remains of this Saint was buried there. The Spanish word "Compostella", in Latin, is "Campus Stelae", meaning "Field of Stars."

Camino Frances crosses the Pyraness, stretches across northern Spain, and ends in Santiago de Compostela. The total distance is around 500 miles, about 800 kilometers, with more than 170 villages, towns and cities along the Way. The places you will see along the Way are diverse - plains, mountains, wineries, farmlands, to name just a few.

Pyrenees is the largest mountain range in southwestern Europe. The mountains separate France from Spain, forms a natural national boundary between the two countries. The weather there can change drastically due to its elevation. Many types of animals, vegetations and plants are found there.

Many experienced Camino walkers mentioned online that the first day of the 25km of walk on the Camino would be the most challenging, not only because it takes the body and mind some time to get aclimated, but also because of the physical landscape, the mountains, the trail surfaces, the uncertainty and constant changes of the weather, etc. that might intimate some pilgrims.

There are people who challenge themselves by completing the entire 25 kilometers' walk within the first day, while others would walk the first seven and a half kilometers, let their body get adapted to the environment, and become used to the long walks, then continue the rest of the 18km or so the next day. The 25 kilometers, in some guidebooks and Camino websites, are considered as Stage One on the Way. A stage is defined as the typical walking distance in a day that a pilgrim can manage to walk without feeling strained.

This first stage has many hills, with drastic ascendings and descendings, often with loose rocks and slippery hills. The highest point for that day was over fourteen hundred meters.

The Buen Camino app provides detailed information on each section of the Way and the related accommodations, their contacts and booking information. This app also includes information on other Camino routes.

The Camino guidebooks, websites and Camino veterans suggest that the backpack should not weigh more than 10% of the body weight. If only that can be true, given that the backpack itself might already weigh about 3lbs. Of course, whoever is willing, can always carry more. Your body will eventually tell you what is the right weight. It is crucial to try some training walks with a fully packed backpack, walk the potential distance, up and down some hills with loose rocks.

Many references have divided the 500-mile French Way into three phases.

The first phase is to challenge one's "physical body", up the mountains and down the hills. How well can one's physical fitness handle it? This is also a section with the most beautiful mountains and breathtaking views. (A phase for "Birth")

The second phase is for the mind -- along the Mesata, when all one can see in the landscape is mostly far-stretched plains, seemingly no end. It challenges one's mental fitness, and one's will power. When routines and boredom set in, and when the walking tasks ahead doesn't require extra caution, and when the landscape ahead offers no thrills or stimulation, how does one get through hours of walk in the day, and would still feel enriched, empowered, and enlightened? (A phase for "death")

The third phase, and the final phase is for the soul/faith. After all the walk, one can not help but think what is the ultimate purpose for all the walks during all those days, with all the joy, suffering, and everything in between? (A phase for "Resurrection")
People also consider these three phases as "birth, death and resurrection."
https://invictusaustralia.org/the-power-of-the-camino-de-santiago/

A legendary story says, St. James/St. Jacob was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, one of Jesus' three most important disciples, and was believed to be the patron Saint of Spain. (Source: https://www.hillwalktours.com/walking-hiking-blog/camino-history-who-was-saint-james/)

After St. James died, its disciple tried to bring his body "home" (in Santiago in northwestern Spain) for a proper burial. Unfortunately, their ship capsized in a storm, thus they lost the holy body of Saint James. Later, the holy body was found, well-protected by shells. Since then, the clam shells have taken on a deeper meaning -- faith, protection and auspiciousness.

With all the information and stories, I'd better start to prepare for my Journey.