The long walk through Italy

Geneve, Switzerland

July 2013

I am just three days from starting a long walk across Italy, so today I begin the mental preparation and shift required for such an under-taking.

While the historical camino always starts at one's front door, my research tells me that today there are 281 "official" pilgrim trails criss-crossing Europe. I love the historical notion of the path beginning at home, as I believe that is where we leave our old selves as we embark on the long walk.

When I walked the Camino Portuguese two years ago, I learned that for many pilgrims there are three phases of the camino. First you experience the physical effort as your body adjusts to full days of walking. Once you become physically conditioned, the second phase begins; the emotional journey, where deep emotions seep through to the surface, often with unpredicted discoveries. And lastly, the spiritual phase begins, as you experience a profound shift to the perspective of your eternal being. I appreciate that these stages sound much like the phases of the larger journey of life.

On this day in July 2023, I am making my way to the Italian start of the Via Francegina, one of the oldest most traditional pilgrimage routes in Europe, dating back to 58 BC. I will be starting just below the French Alps, and hike down the leg of Italy into Rome. My route is just shy of 1,000 kilometers with 45 distinct stages.

I have only 30 days to complete my walk, so there will be some bus-hoping as needed. In any case, it will be a month of a long walk, both outward and inward. While some of my journey will be shared with others, as with all journies inward, the heavy lifting must be done alone.

Today I am in Geneva, from where I will take a bus to Aosta, Italy, passing through the Mont Blac region on the way. Unlike the Portugese Camino, this trail is far less popular, which means there are a lot of unknowns. I am ready to be adaptable. I am ready for the unexpected. I am ready for the beautiful unfolding to begin.

Because I have just completed a five day 100km backpack in the Lake District of England, I am hoping I am ahead in my physical conditioning. I am excited for more conditioning, including the emotional and spiritual fitness to come.

As I think of my friends and other nomads around the globe, I have this perspective - We are all on our own long walk and personal camino in life, no matter which path we choose to travel.

I wish you all a beautiful journey - physically, emotionally and spiritually - wherever your path takes you, with lots of discoveries and many unexpected treasures along the way.

Good Camino (English)

Bom Cahmiho (Portuguese)

Buen Camino (Spanish)

Buom Camino (Italian)

And many more.