These Holy Bones: Vol. 2-Episode 3 - Julie, the Danish Pilgrim

This past August, I spent the first night of my tenth pilgrimage in Hornillos del Camino. I met Julie, a twenty-three-year-old pilgrim from Denmark, who was on her second Camino traveling from Burgos to Santiago. Two years previous, she had walked the first part of the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port to Burgos. Have a listen as she tells me why she was walking The Way of Saint James. Buen Camino!

Transcript

These Holy Bones: Volume 2-Episode 3: Julie, the Danish Pilgrim

Hello and welcome to another episode of These Holy Bones. A podcast about the ancient pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago, where the bones of St. James are interred beneath the high altar. I'm your host, Robert Nerney . This episode is being sponsored by Ocean Magic Surf and Skateboard Superstore in Jupiter, Florida.

Whether you're dropping in on your first wave or you're a seasoned shred. Ocean Magic has everything you need from high performance surfboards and skate decks to premium wetsuits, beach wear, and all the gear in between. Skaters, ocean Magic has trucks, wheels, bearings, complete setups, and all the latest brands.

 Surfers check out Ocean Magic's, epic selection from Fire Wire lost O'Neill, and more. Heading to the beach, grab stylish swimwear, sun protection, and flip flops all in one spot. Ocean. Ocean Magic's Got expert staff to help you pick out your surfing and skating needs, so you'll get advice from people who know what they're talking about.

 Swing by ocean magic and Jupiter, just minutes from the water, ocean, magic, surf, and skate. Florida's home for all things surf, skate, and stoke. Check it out. 

 Host: Today, I am in Hornillos del Camino. It's a small town on the Meseta--a lovely town and I do love the Meseta. I think I've said that a hundred times. And we're speaking with Julie from Denmark and Julie, thank you for saying yes to the podcast. I appreciate it. So, Julie, tell us a little bit about yourself, and then we'll get into some more questions. 

 Julie: Yes. Hello, my name is Julie. I am 23 years old, and I'm from Denmark. Yeah. Uh, I don't know what else to tell. 

 Host: That's a good start. Okay. 23. That's excellent. So tell me, um, you have told me already that this is your second Camino. Your first Camino was from St. Jean Pied de Port to Burgos. And, uh, so what provoked you initially? Why did you come two years ago? 

 Julie: Well, two years ago I came because I was recommended to come here by my cousin. She walked it alone, um, I think two years before that, or three years before, before that. And she did because she was stressed. She thought it was very nice. And then I was in my, I think it was in my first or second gap year, eh. I needed something to do and then I just did it. Yeah. 

 Host: Did she do it alone? 

 Julie: She did it alone, yes. Okay. 

 Host: And she said that was fine. 

Julie: She said it was safe to do, and she met a lot of people.  

 Host: Now did she say that it was religious, spiritual, historical, cultural? Ort was it like, I'm going to do the Camino. I just need some space. 

 Julie: She did it because she just needed some space. Yeah. 

 Host: And she did the, the entire, the 500 kilometers, I mean 800 kilometers. 

 Julie: Yes. She did it all in one take.

 Host: And it took her how long? 

 Julie: It took her 28 days. 

 Host: Okay. That's fast. It's very fast. Very good. Okay, so, um, tell us about your experience, uh, two years ago. So you went from St. Jean to Bergos. How would you kind of characterize that if I were to say, oh, did you have a good time, or tell me about it. What would you say about that first walk?

Julie: Well, I didn't really expect anything other than what I was told by my cousin, and that the first day would be very hard--which it was. Actually, the first day I walked the wrong way for like five kilometers because a man told me I was walking with another woman, and then there was a place where we didn't really know which way to go because the arrows were a little misguiding and the man told us, just go that way. And then we went that way. And uh, then after some time someone told me, oh, you're going the wrong way. Well, that happens. Yeah. So the first day was a little bit, uh, hard and difficult because I did the whole way to Roncesvalles. 

 Host: That's like they say about 16 miles, but because of the ascent, it feels like 24 miles.

 Julie: It’s about 26 kilometers--don't know miles--but I ended up walking like 30 kilometers. That's a long first day. 

 Host: How many hours did it take you? 

 Julie: I don't remember. Maybe 10 hours. 

 Host: That's still good. My wife and I, we've spent a lot of time on that mountain. One year it took us 12 hours from Orisson. People were like, we thought you were dead. And I thought I was dead too. 

 Julie: But after I arrived and took a shower I met some people. I actually met some from Denmark, which was a little comforting for me because then, you know, I was alone and then I met people who spoke my language. 

 Host: So you speak Danish? 

 Julie: Yeah. Then we just got to talking and, uh, the other days I met a lot of other people. I met a young girl also from Denmark, actually. Wow. We became friends. I think it was very nice. 

 Host: So you walked with them? 

 Julie: Not all the time. Right. But we always ended up in the same city at the end of each day.

 Host: So you had some company and stuff? Very good--because I've walked alone too, and that's what happens sometimes. You meet people and you walk with them, and then other times you have the freedom to walk by yourself, which I think is important.

 Host: So what, uh, what would you say is one of the most important items, let's say the top three items in your pack--what would you say the top three items for whatever reason? 

 Julie: Oh,good shoes. Good shoes. Okay. Walking? Yep. Yeah, that's the first most important one. Sunscreen. 

 Host: Sunscreen?

 Julie: Yeah. Especially for me, from Denmark; I get very burned. I've only walked in the summer, so sunscreen. And, uh, snacks. 

 Host: All right. I like that--snacks. Now, do you keep a journal?

 Julie: No. 

 Host: No. Okay. So no writing. 

 Julie: I've thought about it. I actually thought maybe I would buy one here.

 Host: I always bring a journal, a nice journal, but I seldom write a lot of important information in my journal. Oh, very interesting. Okay. Um, now would you recommend the Camino to friends?

 Julie: Yes. 

 Host: And why? Why would you say it's something they should do? 

 Julie: Well, because it's just nice. You meet a lot of people. If you like to talk to new people, do it. Yeah. If you like to walk, do it. Right. Right. You can do it at your own pace and you don't have to do the whole thing. And you're respected by everyone.

Host: I find the same thing--you meet people from all over the world. And it's so edifying to know that, that everyone's really, uh, most people that you meet are of goodwill and they want the best for you. And they care about others and they'll help, you know, people are very helpful on the Camino.

Julie: Last time I went, two years ago, I stopped at a food truck somewhere and they asked me, “Where do you come from?” And I said, “Denmark.” And then they, uh, told me that I think there were people from 25 different countries that day. That day. Yeah, no, it is amazing. It was also a very crowded day, but that's crazy.

 Host: Do you speak Spanish? 

 Julie: No. 

 Host: A little bit? 

 Julie: A little bit. I had it in school, but it's three years ago, so I don't really remember anything. 

 Host: How many years of Spanish? Just one? 

 Julie: Uh, three. 

 Host: Three. So there's something there. There's something--you have a base. Yeah, I don't even have a base. Does it come in handy or do you find it hard to communicate? 

 Julie: No. 

 Host: Okay. Not really. Okay. 

Julie: There's a lot of people only speaking Spanish. 

Host: Yes. Yeah. And then what do you do? 

Julie: Communicate with your hands or your phone. 

Host: Your phone. No, that's true. Or through others. So there's always a way. Yeah, there's always a way. Alright, very good. Um, now let me ask you this. Uh, is it at all spiritual for you? Do you find it like that you, uh, plug into things that you wouldn't normally plug into back home?

Julie: I come from a Christian family at home. We go to church and so it's not like weird for me that it's religious and, but it's not something I practice here. Okay. I didn't do it because of my religion. 

Host: Because when you get to, um, Santiago, they do ask, so at least sometimes they ask you, uh, when you go into the office for your Compostela--they'll say, what is the reason? Just like in the movie, The Way, what is the reason you did it? Was it religious, historical, cultural? And, um, and you can check it off, I think, but, um, but would you say it's a spiritual encounter with Christ? Do you find Christ on the road?

Julie: I'm not really seeking Christ. Okay. I'm just, I don't know. I'm just doing it. Today, I went to a church--that little church and a woman prayed for me. That was cool. I actually started crying.

Host: That's interesting because today I cried, too. I was thinking of my mother and…I could start crying right now, but I'm not going to. But no, but that's a beautiful encounter. 

Julie: But I didn't really know why, but I was like, maybe there's something there.

Host: There was definitely something there. That's awesome. That's probably the Holy Spirit. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because, uh, you're, you're being moved and the woman was so, she had a generous way about her. She was cool. You know what I mean? I 

Julie: I didn't understand anything she said, but… 

Host: …but you could feel something. Yeah. Her goodness. That's awesome. Alright. Um, alright. That's very good. I appreciate you coming on the podcast and telling us about your Camino. Buen Camino. 

Julie: Buen Camino!