Buen Camino Hiking the Camino de Santiago [Paperback]

Jim Clem (Author), Eleanor Clem (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2007

The day to day account of two modern day pilgrims, Jim and Eleanor Clem, as they hike the Camino de Santiago. With over 160 photos, and a practical description of life on the trail, Buen Camino is a must read for anyone interested in the Camino de Santiago, long range hiking, or just a good adventure.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: James Clem (September 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979962803
• ISBN-13: 978-0979962806
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid photos help carry the storyline on this fall pilgrimage across northern Spain, January 11, 2008

By 

Timecheck "backpack45.com - Camino Chronicle... (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buen Camino Hiking the Camino de Santiago (Paperback)

I got started on this book and couldn't put it down, so read it cover to cover the day I got it. This day by day journal of the authors' hike across Spain's Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail is a treat for armchair travelers and a resource for those about to take the same journey. For those of us who have walked this trail, this book will bring back a lot of familiar memories.

The book makes a good start with a readable Camino map. The trail goes mainly from east to west. In contrast to most maps, they have placed west at the top, making all the placenames easy to read.

The authors are hikers and this shows in their short but excellent forward on training and equipment. Low pack weight, quick drying, washable clothing and foot care are some of the highlights.

In the body of the book, each chapter covers a day on the trail. They soon get into the simplified priorities of the Camino: Food, shelter, companions. Just some phrases from some of the chapters: "body sprawled across the trail", "a little scary at first, but no problem", "tired, wet, muddy", "bread, chorizo, cheese, Ruffles potato chips", "greatest shower in the world", "ankle deep mud, soaking wet", "a couple of beers", "tomorrow is a shorter day", "we met up again in a bar", "today was one of those days", "Santiago", "in the pouring rain", "hugging each other and crying".

This is one of the few Camino journals where the authors stay mostly in small hotels, rather than the overcrowded refugios. There are some tips for this mode of travel, such as call ahead if you want to be sure of a place to stay.

For me, the photos are the strong point of this book. They tell the story well, and the composition is excellent. In the first printing of this book, which is the one I have, the photo print quality was poor. In the current printing, it has improved.

I recommend this book to anyone with a taste for adventure, but particularly for those thinking of going, or who have gone on the same pilgrimage.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging first-hand account of walking the Camino, February 25, 2008

By 

JAS "Creative" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buen Camino Hiking the Camino de Santiago (Paperback)

Jim and Eleanor Clem's "Buen Camino" is an engaging first-hand account of their walk along the Spanish pilgrimage route the Camino. The book's journal style details the day-to-day experiences of the couple as they hike the 500 mile path across northern Spain. From their starting point at St. Jean de Pont to the final destination of Santiago reached 38 days later, each chapter describes individual stages of the route. Picturesque photos accompany the text and visually depict their observations about the landscape, towns, and buildings seen, which gives the reader a clear idea of what to expect when walking the Camino. A map showing the Clem's course, pictures of their Compostelas, or certificates of completion, and a list of recommended guidebooks also are included.

They share practical advice and information about essential hiking gear, developing a walking routine, and arranging accommodations. Valuable tips such as stuffing newspapers in wet boots to dry them out from rain provide insight into the challenges faced while being a pilgrim. Interesting notes about Spanish customs (in Spain bells ring at least once every hour) and food found in towns on the route (common restaurant fare includes meat, French fries, and ice cream) are sprinkled throughout the book.

Jim and Eleanor also express the significance of the Camino to them -- that undertaking the walk brings "simple but rewarding successes" and that "the Camino is a break from the complications of modern-day life". Focus on the moment and let the journey unfold. The down-to-earth recording of their story would be a helpful reference for anyone planning to trek the Camino. So walk along with the Clems as they follow the yellow arrow markers and discover why the Camino is a "great adventure and the trip of a lifetime"!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Could only get through half the book..., September 10, 2010

By 

Emile Zola Fan (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buen Camino Hiking the Camino de Santiago (Paperback)

Although Jim and his wife seem like perfectly nice people, I am sorry to say that this book was so poorly written I just couldn't finish it. I'm about to walk the 500 miles from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago myself, so for the past several months I've been reading up on this part of the world. I can honestly tell you that this is by far one of(if not THE) worst "guides" I've come across. I recommend you invest your money elsewhere, and if you just must absolutely read this book, check it out at your local library for FREE.