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I’m Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago
Hape Kerkeling
2009, 258 pages
Nonfiction
The Camino de Santiago, an 800 km or so trek from the French-Spanish border to Santiago, is a traditional, 1,200-year-old journey for pilgrims. Thousands of Christians and other travelers make their way from the Pyrenees along the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. The arduous hike passes hundreds of religious and historical sites and is attempted by those in search of spiritual meaning or personal challenge. Most walk, but some bike and others ride donkeys, a truly medieval mode of travel. German humorist Hape Kerkeling decides that he will attempt this journey, even though he has not physically prepared for a challenge of this level.
Kerkeling kept a journal and has written this witty, insightful book about his adventures and the many and varied characters he met along the way. Readers who have done long distance hiking will surely relate to the highs and lows of his many adventures and will gain a greater appreciation of hiking where there are clean beds and tasty food at the end of the day. Only by finishing this humorous travelogue will the reader discover if Hape completed his journey and found answers to his spiritual questions.
