Laughter and a Boujee Camino

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What makes you laugh (or cry)?

I know it’s been a while. I’m finally feeling back to normal after returning from six weeks in Europe—where we launched the new novel Camino Child, and from New Jersey, where we saw one of our grandsons graduate from Coast Guard boot camp. Yes, we’re proud. In Europe, I spent weeks walking many a beautiful Camino mile and spreading the word about the book launch. 

I had tons of fun making new friends, breaking bread, walking, and talking. I ran into people I had met before and folks I had only known through Camino social media groups. I was even fortunate enough to see (and later chat with) Dan Mullins, the great musician, storyteller, and pilgrim, play a gig in a small bar in Santiago de Compostela.

Camino highlights

One of the highlights—of many—was being interviewed by Leigh Brennan for her wonderful podcast The Camino Café. We talked and laughed and reminisced about all things Camino de Santiago—and my new novel, of course. Later we did a Facebook Live session, where loads of people we knew popped in from around the world to say hello.

A new kind of Camino (for me)

The last segment of my time in Spain was a blast. I met my wife and a group of friends from home in Madrid for a different type of Camino. We gathered in the rental car lot at the Madrid airport. From there, we drove to Pamplona. Our Camino plan was to drive/walk the Camino Francés to Santiago, a boujee*, or, Bourgeois Camino.

Somedays we walked a lot, other days less. We saw many Camino highlights, met people from all over the world, and laughed and cried. I hoped to give these Camino newbies a glimpse of what I have talked to them about for several years. And I’m certain it worked.

A return to normal (whatever that is)

Now I’m back into my normal rhythm of writing for a few hours each day, exercising for a few hours, and learning more about publishing and marketing.

I don’t write to trends. I write what I like, think others will like, and stories that will inspire people to travel, to spread their wings, especially the young among us. 

Trends change all the time. I figure if I stay the course, maybe one day our paths will cross.

Currently, I’m outlining Book II (no working title yet) of Summer Darling’s travel adventures. I also have a couple of short stories nearing completion. They should be available to you by the end of the year. 

What say you?

All that said, I‘d like to hear from you. If you have read either Camino Child, situated on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, or one of my many American Landscape short stories, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What did you like? What made you laugh or cry?

Want to know what makes me laugh?

Well, my wife can still make me laugh. And the guys on the British car show Top Gear always give me a chuckle. And another: I recently finished reading Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart. He often made me smile as he told of his exploits while describing life as an expat in the south of Spain during the ‘90s. 

Now I’m reading Sean Dietrich’s new book You Are My Sunshine. Sean never disappoints and always brightens my day.

What makes you laugh (or cry)?

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* Boujee, or bougie, defined: In the past it meant a middle class person attempting to seem wealthy. It is derived from the word ‘bourgeois’ – meaning middle to upper class. In modern times the term “bougie” has been adopted by the youth to mean that someone is looking fancy and is usually a positive term.