On the release date of this book, I have been home for 11 months. During that time, the journey continued at a feverish pace. I never expected to write a book, yet I have spent hundreds of hours working on this project. I never expected to be a public speaker, yet find myself in front of audiences on a regular basis.
The best part about all of this is that I am enjoying each day and savoring the moments. I am content learning new things, meeting new people, and spreading an uplifting message.
The Camino strengthened my relationships with friends, family, and myself. While meeting many friends from various nations made the trip a wonderful experience, the most enriched friendship I developed was with myself. It was a joy to rearrange my emotional backpack. My spiritual awakening made me realize that we are all connected and have a purpose. I am much more open to letting people into my life, and more importantly, to learning about their lives.
Several weeks after the journey, Roberta and I opened our eyes to the signs of our crumbling romantic relationship. With deep sadness, we both felt a need to walk alone. For me, this was the most difficult and painful decision of my entire life.
Had our break occurred before the Camino, I would have wasted many hours trying to demonize her and identify ways that she had “wronged” me. Since the walk, I have spent my time reminiscing about the wonderful times that we had and the many lessons that she taught me. Our paths diverted, but the time together changed my life in countless positive ways. Just like my time on the Camino.
Camino Playlist Selections
Of the more than 600 songs that I enjoyed hearing on the Camino, these stood out:
Bebe - Siempre Me Quedara
Joe Jackson - Fools in Love (Live Version)
Bruce Springsteen - Rocky Ground
FatBoy Slim - Praise You
Led Zeppelin - Rain Song
Tupak Shakur - Thugz Mansion
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Prince - Purple Rain
James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
Skylar Grey - Love the Way You Lie
Jay Z - Forever Young
Joni Mitchell - Goodbye Blue Sky
Jack White - Weep Themselves to Sleep
Portishead - Glory Box
Dandy Warhols - Sleep
Tom Waits - Clap Hands
Florence + The Machine - Not Fade Away
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Down by the River
James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream
Timbaland and Elton John - 2 Man Show
Dave Matthews Band - All Along the Watchtower (Live Version)
John Mayer - Dreaming with a Broken Heart
Warren Zevon - Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Corinne Bailey Rae - I’d Like To
Eagles - Wasted Time
Adele - Take it All
Elton John - Candle in the Wind
Sinead O’Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
Ben Harper & the Blind Boys of Alabama - Satisfied Mind
Kid Rock - Bawitdaba
Camino Resources
Online
http://www.caminoguides.com/index.html
American Pilgrims on the Camino
http://www.americanpilgrims.com/
Camino Adventures
http://www.caminoadventures.com/
Books
To the Field of Stars:
A Pilgrim’s Journey to Santiago de Compostela,
Kevin A. Codd
To Walk Far, Carry Less, Jean-Christie Ashmore
My Camino, Sue Kenney
http://suekenney.ca/
Walk in a Relaxed Manner, Joyce Rupp
http://www.joycerupp.com/
The Pilgrimage, Paulo Coelho
http://www.paulocoelho.com
Movies
The Way
http://www.theway-themovie.com/
http://www.caminodocumentary.org/
Acknowledgments
Above all, I am grateful for the two million pilgrims who preceded my journey on the Camino de Santiago. I could feel their energy with each step. To those who walked with me and to the hospitaleros who took care of me, thank you.
My editor, Jeanette Germain, spent hundreds of hours refining my edges, organizing rambling thoughts, and demonstrating patience with a first-timer. Our professional relationship blossomed into a great friendship. I enjoyed breaking bread at her home and walking on the greenbelt to discuss chapters. Dexter Van Zile, my Sigma Nu fraternity brother, was an exceptional shadow editor, with insights that added depth to the manuscript.
I met Chris Treccani (3 Dog Design) at Starbucks to interview for the cover and interior design. Halfway through the latte, he had the job. He turned my thoughts into art. Jana Jeffrey came to the rescue when I needed a website. Two weeks before my first major newspaper article, she created my site. Jennifer Quinn launched and managed my entire social media campaign. Idaho author Donna Cook’s attention to detail made her the ideal person to copy edit the book.
My next-door neighbor and friend, Bob Barr, has inspired me for over 20 years. His encouragement prompted many of my adventures, and his mentoring helped nudge me down the road to writing and speaking. His news tip to the Idaho Statesman prompted a moving story, written by Katherine Jones, that opened up opportunities for me to share my story.
I thought arrival in Santiago was the end of the journey but it was just the beginning. I look forward to meeting many of you at speaking events. Thank you for reading the book.
About The Author
Kurt is NOW AVAILABLE FOR
LECTURES AND SPEAKING
ENGAGEMENTS
208.345.6421
k@kurtkoontz.com
After retiring early from his job as a successful sales executive for a Fortune 500 technology company, Kurt Koontz volunteered in his community and traveled across Europe and North America. He never considered writing a book until he walked nearly 500 miles across Spain in 2012. Those million steps were so compelling that he returned home and began writing and speaking about his life-changing adventures. He lives and writes on a tree-lined creek in Boise, Idaho.