Next month, La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotarians Krishna and Bonnie Arora will raise funds for their local Rotary Club by completing the final 175 miles of the 1000-mile “Camino de Santiago,” the famous pilgrimage that dates back to the 10th century.
On April 17, 2013, Krishna and Bonnie will begin the last leg of their “Journey of 1000 Miles,” which started over 12 years ago after the couple read a travel article about increasing popularity of pilgrimages.
The Aroras hope to raise $25,000 through donations collected through the completion of their walk on May 3. One hundred percent of funds raised will be benefit La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary service projects. Nearly 100 Club members are currently managing more than 55 international and local projects related to promoting literacy, supporting veterans, providing clean water and sanitation, eradicating polio, facilitating education and technology access, helping low income women achieve self-sufficiency, improving access to healthcare, and dozens more.
The Aroras began their “Camino” in 2005, when they walked 500 miles from Roncesvalles, in northern Spain, to Santiago de Compostela. In 2011 and 2012, they walked 325 miles of the French route from Le Puy en Velay to Figeac to Condom, France. From April 20 to May 3, they will walk the last leg of the French route, from Condom, France, returning to Roncesvalles, Spain. This final segment will take them over the Pyrenees Mountains and tie together the entire 1000 mile route.
As they contemplated the culmination of this epic journey, the Aroras conceived of the idea to dedicate the final 175 miles of walking to the support of their La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club. Krishna explains that the fundraiser was a natural fit.
“It was the passion stirred by The Camino that awakened our spirit of service to others, which ultimately led us to join a dynamic Rotary Club that is passionate about local and global humanitarian service projects,” said Krishna.
The Camino de Santiago, also known as “Le Chemin de Saint Jacques” (French), is a pilgrimage that began as a journey of faith by Europeans drawn to the legendary, sacred tomb of St. James. One thousand years later, the ancient routes continue to attract thousands of participants, from the spiritually motivated to travelers out to enjoy the history, scenery and charming hamlets along the routes.
Donations of any amount to the “Journey of 1000 Miles” are gratefully accepted online via the secure club website: lajollagtrotary.org. The Aroras also invite the public to join them on the Camino journey “virtually” by following their blog: hkandbscamino.blogspot.com. They plan to post updates daily, subject to available internet access.
