Funny, touching, and inspiring! A book about really walking the Camino de Santiago! Perhaps it was the onset of middle-age or just too much diet cola, but in the Spring of 2010, Canadian boy, Randall St. Germain felt called to take on the 800 kilometer, or 500 mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Seriously, what ensued was a dedication to his mother, a personal challenge, and a journey of cultural and historical enlightenment. A million footsteps, and a few pounds of gauze and tape later, he arrived in Santiago de Compostela, with a better understanding of himself - and a newfound familiarity with snoring and flatulent pilgrims! Join St. Germain on his adventure in Camino de Santiago In 20 Days, an irreverently chuckle-inducing look at one man's attempt at the famed walk as he confronts apocalyptic weather, snarling dogs, epic blisters, an exhausted body, and his greatest paranoia in life-bed bugs. Along with his humorous reflections, there is practical insight into how he successfully prepared, packed, and then walked across the entire French Way in 20 days - and in doing so, pushed far beyond his personal comfort zone. Never to be included on the final list of Pulitzer Prize nominees, or in Oprah's Book Club, Camino de Santiago in 20 Days is not your granddaddy's Camino book, either. One word of caution: Pilgrim Discretion is Advised.
About the Author: Hello, I'm Randall St. Germain, author of Camino de Santiago In 20 Days. I'm a middle-aged Canadian Boy who is passionate about nature, photography, hiking, music, and self-improvement. After the death of my mother in February 2010, I felt I needed to get away, and clear my mind. I chose to walk the famous pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago, across the north of Spain, despite knowing little about it. I certainly didn't plan to write a book until the latter days of my Camino. Similar to walking the Camino, writing and publishing a book was a learning experience. It was also very rewarding, and part of my ongoing journey. Camino de Santiago In 20 Days tells of my journey on the 500 mile, or 800 kilometer, French Way from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. My walk was not only one of personal enlightenment, but it was also a challenge-I walked an average of 26 miles for 20 days straight. I also carried a backpack that weighed about 30 pounds. I don't get too preachy in my book about spirituality or religion. This is a book about really walking the Camino de Santiago, unlike anything presently out there. Most of all, I hope you find Camino de Santiago In 20 Days funny and entertaining. I tried to show my sense of humor, and I hope you have a good laugh, even if it's at my expense. Since I was alone most of the time, all kinds of thoughts went through my head, and I wrote about most of them. If you feel uncomfortable, I'd recommend you skip Chapter 9. If you find Camino de Santiago In 20 Days inspiring, that would be great. I wrote about how I pushed myself outside of my personal comfort zone. My comfort zone wasn't climbing Mount Everest, but at a lower level that didn't include sleeping in hostels, and walking up to 30 miles every day; often in the rain and cold. My writing also had to be honest, and I take pride in that. Sure, I could have thrown in some "misadventures," but one of the rewarding aspects of walking the Camino, was the lack of drama. It was actually quite peaceful. My Camino, and Camino de Santiago In 20 Days are dedicated to my late mother. She was very important to me, especially as we grew closer in her later years. I welcome you to visit my website, http: //www.caminomyway.com where I have my blog and hundreds of photos from the Camino and my other journeys. I hope you can join me, and I can inspire you to go on your own journey one day. My journey continues... All the best Randall St. Germain Vancouver