Hi Paulo,
well following an emotional visit to Lourdes the path did finally lead me to St Jean de Pied a Port but it was an interesting journey. At the station in Lourdes, whilst awaiting my train two young women arrived at the coffee shop, soaking with rain after their bike ride from Toulouse. Laughing, joking and singing to the loud music playing in the background, they changed their wet clothing and sat down to a hearty meal. Finally, one of them, Mylene, asked me where I was going, to which I replied “oh just to Santiago!”.
She told of their Easter plan to bike from Toulouse to Avachone near Bordeaux via Biarritz. We chatted about the risks and dangers of such a long journey, but Mylene and Celine, two primary school teachers, maintained that the freedom their journey offered them, was the very essence of life itself. Asked if I could take their photo to attach it to their story, but they said “only from behind” as they teach their pupils the same at school.” It’s to protect their identities for their own safety”, they added.
So as you can imagine, the subject of blogs and internet continued and I asked if they had read Paulo’s books, “oh yes” said Celine, 4 or 5 of them and her favorite was 11 Minutes, but she had lost it and would love to read it again. So I told them of Paulo’s phylosphy of free books for the internet and they said without hesitation “that’s the future of consumption!”. So it was time to board our train and as promised, Celine and Mylene posed for a photo from behind ;) My journey continued via Bayonne to SJPP, with an unexpected delay while we tried to clear the track of a small fallen tree. We finally gave up and they ordered a small bus to pick us up. Arriving almost one hour late in St Jean Pied a Port, the Herberge people were hungry and ready to go to Mass, but they kindly issued our “Carnets” and a bed for the night. More news tomorrow,
HAPPY EASTER,
Love,
Paul
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Happy Easter Morning -everyone :)
Love
Breda
Dear Paul! As a collegue of your Karin, we met each other several times at your x-mas concerts.. In general I m sceptical in religions, but around 12 years ago I came in touch the first time with the “caminho”. From this time, I felt the Jacobsway coming closer and closer to me. 2 years ago, I met my love Ewa from sweden, directly after she came from her caminho. And now we are planning to walk together. Exactly in this moment, I heard, that youre “on the road”… So, Ewa and me, we are wishing you from all our heart, that you will find your way and hope to meet you and your family soon again! Take care of you, but as I can see, youre patronized and escorted from so many hearts, wishes and from a very special rose, that maybe you will start soaring, when it will become too dificult! Paul.. all the best and happy easter! All of us we re with you! Yours Manfred x Ewa
Dear Paul,
You are doing overtime I think.Take it easy, slow down, take the time to smell the roses – they are in full bloom at the moment –
You have put the foundation, look after the pebbles and you will be fine.
Love
Thinking of you -hope your day went well-lovely to read Victorias’ wishes for you,and sad to hear of your relatives’ news re a health problem-also all the deaths in Italy.
Nite,
Breda
Congratulations Paul. I’m really looking forward to hear all aobut your experience.
With best wishes,
Iqra (UK)
Hallo Paul!
Sind schon sehr auf deine Reiseberichte gespannt. Pass auf die auf!
Liebe Grüße
Susi und Familie
Godspeed Paul…I look forward to reading your reports of your journey. May you be blessed all along the way. Pepper
:) :) :)
that was ……. yep~~~~~
Astronomy picture of the day – The big picture -
http://antwerp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Dear Paul,
In the following 5 weeks I’ll pray for you every night this prayer which is the opening of the Quran
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
Show us the straight path, (Show Paul the straight path)
The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose is not wrath, and who go not astray.”
Amen
With love and more♥♥♥
Sara from Lebanon
Animo Paul, estaré pensanto en ti a cada paso de conciencia.
Con fe todo se puede y tu amiga Monika tiene todo nuestro amor. Dios haga en ella la transformación y quede liberada de la enfermedad que le rodea.
Por tu amor, por tu sacrificio, por tu voluntad Santiago te escuchará.
Un beso Paul y un beso para todos los que aquí te acompañan pues ellos también son peregrinos.
Un beso para Belén que es de Santiago y por el apoyo que desde aquí Galicia te ofrece, espero que se sumen muchos más y que demostremos al mundo que estamos unidos también en la realidad no sólo a través de Internet.
bon voyage paul, khuda hafiz !
yep we are all eager to go thru your ‘pilgrims diary’. have u made any changes to your ‘routine’ like say have u decided not to smoke or drink or any other ‘sacrifice’ u r making to supllement your expereinces !
love
aditya
Dear/est Paul from Austria, I have just opened the Blog and here we are all our friends and your loving daughter, Vicky -Victoria Rose- are with you in spirit and with their wishes… Mine are with you too and may God bless you.
LOVE,
Thelma
I’m smiling from ear to ear.
Happy Easter
love ya Paul!!! ♥♥♥
Hi dad,
this must have been an exciting day for you..?! Don’t think too much much of the weather, it’s, like you always tell me, simply the nature. You can’t change it. One day it will rain (for all the plants, in such a way as to enable them to grow) and one day the sun will come out and delight your heart.
May all your heartfelt dreams and wishes come true on this journey =)
I love you very very much.
Hugs and kisses from Austria xoxo
Vicky
Nice to hear your latest adventures.Some says rain is a good sign…I will join your prayer,saw yesterday the line of coffins for the funeral in Italy,tears came in my eyes…God help you to get safe at your final point.Take care,Love
Alexandra
Paul,
so excited to be going along your journey with you!
Have Fun!
love,
C.
May God bless U*
Thanks for sharing!
I believe in miracles, see you soon.:)
My heart goes to Monika, I will summon all the angels in my prayer to ease her burden.
I ran a 5 k for the cure last fall surrounded by dozens of cancer survivors, and one of the things that stroke me were how hopeful, happy and determined to fight and not give up they were.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=81926960143&id=564107533&index=3&nctrct=1239414138047
Blessings,
Anca
Lieber Paul,
ich wünsche mir, daß du auch für mich etwas findest, denn schon lange suche ich nach etwas. Der Jakobsweg verspricht so viel ……
Aber finde deinen Weg, dann werde ich von deiner Nähe auch etwas für den meinen lernen.
Liebe Grüße aus der Heimat
Agnes
Dear Paul,
Wishing you a rich journey. Whatever rich means to you.
Love,
Liisa
I’m so excited for you Paul !!!! I wish you THE BEST ! And I’m also looking forward to reading your updates!
Good luck!
Love,
Anna
A fever is taking hold of me-will I throw caution to the wind and do the pilgramage this summer- (is May/June too hot to do it ??)at least by reading Pauls’ daily account , it will be a real insight about HIS journey and for me will be a guide line to help me make my decesion.
Love and best wishes,
Breda
Dear Paul, wish you once again good luck in your spiritual journey.
Remember you are not alone,we are there with you with you thoughts.
God are with you always,keep it up,have faith.I am so excited to find out how will be your experience, I think you will do well.All the best wishes ,Love
Alexandra
Dear Paul from Austria, I truly rejoice in your pilgrimage. Good luck to you!
Kasia May
Have a wonderful journey and as Paulo Coelho would say ‘don’t forget about the path since it is the one which is your teacher’. looking forward to reading about your experience.
take care
Te deseo lo mejor. A mi me encantaría hacer el camino pero por ahora no estoy fisicamente preparada para semejante hazaña. Intentaré saludarte al final del camino porque al igual que Rosa de los vientos soy de Santiago. También iré a la exposición de christina. Un beso de ánimo y que el camino sea un camino de paz.
Ich wünsche dir von ganzem Herzen das du findest wonach du suchst.
Pass auf dich auf, freue mich auf ein Wiedersehen.
Die Prinzen sind bei dir.
c’est une question de pot que vous partiez de Pau Paul
Popol go go go
Sweet dreams are made of this Lyrics Annie Lennox
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world
‘and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Some of them want to use you
SOme of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Hold your head up, keep your head up – Moving on
Hold your head up, keep your head up – Moving on
Hold your head up, keep your head up – Moving on
Love
Dear Paul from Austria, I´m very glad for you, I hope that your heart shine with the succesfull of this pilgrimage. My best wishes to you and god bless you for your determination to follow your dreams. Congratulations.
You are a model to follow becouse you make reality some dreams to be mine too.
Paul from Austria: I hope You will find both things You were hoping for and also maybe some things that You weren’t hoping for, but that were essential to find/learn about.
You are inspiring, with this act, many persons, I believe. And it’s great how much You really want to do this. I like Your view about it.
I hope You get some amazing experiences there and I’m looking forward to how it will happen.
All best,
L.L.
Congratulations on making the decision to head off on your feet!
I pray that all your obstacles will be overcome easily :)
Have a safe journey (yes, it truly is about the journey and not the destination!) and I am looking forward to reading your blog!!
Love Laudy
Dear Paul from Austria
God bless you. I am looking forward to follow your experiences on the blog. I will light a candle for you for a safe journey.
Do
Great initiative! I look forward to read your impressions!!
Great idea, can’t wait to see more!
Dear Paul From Austria and also Paulo,
I wish for you all the very best on your journey and can’t wait to begin reading your blog from Monday onwards.
I will look forward to meeting you on 13th May at Christina Oiticica’s exhibition. I am going to be doing the pilgrimage next year, so it will be good to hear how your journey goes and listen to the tales of all the magic that evolves from it.
Wishing you all the joy in the world as you begin this experience! And remember, we are all there with you every step of the way!
Love
Alex
Paul good trip! God bless you in this way! :)
Great addition to the blog. Paul from Austria, enjoy and take care during your pilgrimage on Santiago de Compostela. Peace.
Dear Paul from Austria, Bon voyage, wishing you all the very best.
I forgot to say that would be nice to see some pictures with our fellow pilgrim,Paul.If possible.
What a wonderful news. I am really happy that we might take part even if only by reading here about his adventure as a pilgrim.I admire his courage, and wish him all the best.
Go Paul Go!
you’ll be our eyes, our feet, and our hearts.
Just yesterday I was thinking about this idea, but I didn’t dare to write about it not to seem rude or without respect for your life.
Anyway, we all could have a “subject of the day” according also to your suggestions or impressions during the way to Santiago.
I’m also waiting to begin my personal pilgrimage to Paris, but now I can’t for the very young age of my son Iago.
Have a nice Easter.
Estupendo estaré interesadísima en esta experiencia y por supuesto estaré esperando a Paul from Austria al final de camino.
Un beso para Paulo y otro para Paul from Austria.
Wow…
This is so Wonderful!! How exciting!
And congratulations Christina Oiticica! Have a beautiful, fun opening!
Blessed be the day!
xxoo
I think that you would have ended up on the road to Santiago even if you had gotten your sword the first time. For some reason it was as important for Petrus to meet you as it was for you to meet him. I also think that although many people could have rid the old woman from Legion, it was a task that you had agreed to do before you were even born – just like the old woman agreed before she was born to help someone by agreeing to live with Legion until the person came to rescue her. But of course, like most of us, you both forgot the tasks that you agreed to do once you WERE born.
Paul congratulations, I am looking forward to your comments. I want to do the journey myself this year.
All the best,
This is so wonderful! I am very happy for you Paul. I’m also very much looking forward to reading your daily dispatch from the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Sincerely,
And with much love,
Savita
Paul -I am looking forward to your daily reflections-wishing you a wonderful experience.
I plan to do the pilgramage over the next year or so..
love and best wishes,
Breda
Dear Pilgrim. (Paul from Austria),
-Our ears are waiting to hear your daily impressions, Come on; let’s share your emotions and journey with all your friends at discussion.
-My myself come from the country where, a new religion was formed as today it is called,”Buddhism” which offers four sites of pilgrimage:
-Lumbini: birth place (in Nepal)
-Bodh Gaya: place of Enlightenment
-Sarnath: (formally Isipathana) where he delivered his first teaching
-Kusinara: (now Kusinagar, India) where he attained mahaparinirvana (died).
(these above texts four sites are copied from wiki pages)
-I have not been to other three sites but I have been to one sites, (Lumbini) of piligramage.
-Since I believe in all the religion, it would be nice to go for such a journey. (By the mercy of all messengers, of all different religion: Jesus for Christianity, Mohammad for Muslims, Buddha for Buddhism, Krishna, Shiva, Brahma for Hindus and others…)
God blesses you Paul !
and
God bless you all !
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