Over the next month and a half, things might get a little different around here. Instead of spending an awful lot of time sitting in front of a keyboard in Dublin, I’ll be off walking the Northern route of the Camino de Santiago.
This is something I’m simultaneously really excited and really nervous about. It’ll mean two things for the Tea Cosy:
Firstly, since I’ll be travelling a lot, I’d like to do some travel blogging. I was thinking of setting up a new blog for the purpose. But, you know what? I like it here in my little corner of the internets. So, I hope that You Lot won’t mind an awful lot of posts about walking through northern Spain for the rest of the summer.
Secondly, I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to do my usual kind of posting. So I was thinking of opening things up for a few guest posts. It might be nice to get some fresh perspectives around here- especially when I’m busy falling over with my feet in ice buckets of water after walking 30K that day 😉
What do You Lot think?
I love love love reading travel writing! I’m excied for you! And for me, because I will be reading it. =D
Spaaaiiiin. I want to visit Spain. *bounces*
Glad to hear it! And Spain is awesome. I’ve been twice before (once travelling about for a holiday, once staying for a few months to learn Spanish) and fell desperately in love with the place both times. You should definitely visit if you get the chance. 🙂
My goodness, an atheist taking to the Way of St James! I am most impressed. In the hot weather, I won’t get up off my confirmed Anglican rump and walk to anything other than the swimming pool or a cold drink. And an enthusiastic yes to the idea of guest posts. I would be happy to contribute one (I blog occasionally at the Newsweek/Washington Post site), perhaps about how pilgrimage works in different faiths or on a topic of your choosing.
Hehe, I was a little apprehensive about walking a pilgrimage route as an atheist, despite having wanted to walk the Camino for several years now. But then I figured that religious folks shouldn’t get to hog all the pretty scenery. Not to mention that, apostasy aside, I still count as a ‘cultural Catholic’, so a lot of the symbolism does resonate with me.
And I’d be delighted if you wanted to guest post! That sounds like a great topic, too.
No worries, I am sure the Camino has seen many atheists before you. The Church has always been full of ’em. I would bet that many pre-moderns pilgrimaged for social, economic and/or political reasons (e.g. the Pilgrimage of Grace, though it may be unfair to adduce that). Aesthetic motivations like yours – perhaps a later phenomenon – seem to me actually more aligned with spiritual intention.
I’ll work up a guest blog on pilgrimage in various faiths (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam for sure, and likely Vodou as well) and submit the draft to you for review. Just let me know when you would like it.
Sounds good! Have fun! And post lots of photos–even if you don’t have time/energy to write!
(P.S. Your new background is showing up a little wonky for me and my Safari. The blue at top comes down about 6 ” / um… ___ mm, well into the text of your post.)
15 mm! 15 mm! I know my standard units, I swear!
Does it go over the text? Darnit. I really like this theme, but I don’t want to use it if it’s coming up wonky on people’s browsers. Would you mind emailing me over a screenshot? Might see if I can get the powers that be in wordpress to sort it out.
Works fine for me. Like it!
Don’t go! 🙂
I hope you have a great time. Some non-religious friends of mine did the walk a year ago and they loved it. They mentioned quite a few times how “Irish” everything seemed – the landscape, even the people, possibly confirming our Lusitanian origins.
Looking forward to seeing the photos.
As long as the weather stays un-Irish, I’ll be happy!