A Journey of Days Relearning Life's Lessons on the Camino De Santiago

Having just finished reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" I had the good fortune of reading Guy Thatcher's "A Journey of Days".This is an extraordinary book that is a real life example of how the power of NOW (being truly present in the moment) can lead to spiritual enlightenment, renewal of a belief in the goodness in people, and how, when we let go of our ego, we see the truth and find the power and joy of the essence of our being. All that intertwined with a history of the Camino de Santiago.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Guy Thatcher's walk of self-discovery. Meeting new friends-some for just a short while, overcoming obstacles(losing his backpack right from the beginning-all that planning!, trying to keep in touch with family), news of birth and death, new foods, all these shared experiences will delight and inspire the reader. The images, throughout the book, are both personal and historical, my favorite is"walking in the fog beside the Fromista Canal", page 90. This is not only a solitary journey, but one that touches many. I highly recommend this book, knowing that you'll be dreaming of walking your own camino by the time you finish reading it. Enjoy!

This relatively thin book chronicles the author's pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. The pilgrimage is the sort of commitment most of us can only dream of, requiring a strong will and even stronger lower extremities. The long days, and sometimes long nights, give the author ample time to ponder life's questions, both large and small which he shares with his readers. He meets a number of intriguing fellow pilgrims, some of whom he joins and re-joins as each makes the journey at their own pace. The author's keen sense of observation and sharp wit paint vivid pictures of his journey, usually with a bit of an imagined twinkle in the author's eye. I found myself reading the book in short sections, then taking time to think about what I had read, savoring each section like fine wine. I highly recommend this book, not only for the story of the journey, but also for the celebration of life it presents.

What struck me while reading was how I kept wanting to read! This book draws you in gently and won't let you go. The historical references were done well and Guy's often times humorous perspective lent to the telling of the tales. What's amazing is while Guy didn't set out with the intention of having any major life epiphanies, his book allows us to have our own. Setting a goal, making a commitment, planning, implementing, overcoming obstacles with warmth and humor, letting go of ideas and plans that don't work and finally achieving success - it's what we forget we're all capable of doing. To be reminded that generosity of spirit is as important as other forms of giving, gives a reader pause during these difficult times. Reading this book is like having a wonderful conversation with Guy Thatcher, complete with laughter and twinkling eyes.

Guy Thatcher's A Journey of Days seems like a small book about a brief trip, but this engrossing narrative, in diary format, provides insight into one man's journey and reveals many thought provoking ideas for us all to consider. Along the way he mets various characters, tells the history of each major stop and gave me a great chance to consider my place in the world as he narrated his. A fine example of what you can learn without meaning to!