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Ivar Rekve runs the largest forum for English speaking pilgrims on his website http://www.pilgrimage-to-santiago.com. The forum has had over 23,000 visitors per month and has over 3800 members who so far have made almost 32,000 postings.
"I get up every morning between 7 and 7.30. After a shower I feed our cat Pepa and our labrador Cuco. Both of them sleep outside in our large walled garden where they can run around.
Our house is in the village of Brion in the countryside about 20 mins drive from Santiago de Compostela. I moved here five years ago with my wife Maria who is a Professor in the University.
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After graduating with an MBA I went off to work in Silicon Valley. When Maria finished her PhD we both got jobs at Colorado State University and we lived there happily for two years. We then had to decide whether we wanted to remain in the USA long term or go back to Europe. Europe was the choice and we were lucky to move close to Santiago.
After breakfast I log on to the internet to check e mails and look at what is happening on the Forum. I used to read every single post but nowadays it simply isn’t possible. But I do try to read as many as I can. I rely on the help of a small group of volunteer moderators who work hard to ensure that spammers are banned and that there is nothing offensive being posted. We communicate with each other a lot.
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I work part time at the University so every day I make the drive there or to my new office at the Camino Travel Centre.
I usually have lunch at the University. It is amazingly good value with a Menu del Dia for 5 Euros – even better than a Pilgrims’ Menu.
My work at the University is IT focussed but over the years I have come to know more and more about the Pilgrimage routes to Santiago. I’ve also learned about the work of the Pilgrim Associations like the Confraternity of St James in London. They do a huge amount of work and they have been very supportive of the Forum. A few months ago Maria and I went to London to visit the Confraternity Office and to a church service and party to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
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I’ve been really busy setting this up but I try to leave for home at around 6pm every evening.
My favourite dinner is Peppered Steak with sauce and fries and if I can eat it with Maria and have Pink Floyd playing in the background it would be perfect. In music I also like everything from De Lillos to Luar Na Lubre.
The one confession I have to make is that I’ve never made a pilgrimage to Santiago. I am going to put that right soon. I promise.
I try to get to bed reasonably early. I am a great reader and I’ve recently finished the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. On my bedside table at the moment is a copy of Myren (Swamp) by Arnaldur Indridason.
If I was to make three wishes they would be:
1 That my new venture will help pilgrims and will be reasonably successful
2 That next winter will not be so long and rainy
3 That Ryanair starts a new daily route from Santiago to Oslo "
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Ivar Rekve will soon open the new Camino Travel Centre http://www.caminotravelcenter.com/
Camino Travel Center Rua de San Pedro 3315703 Santiago de Compostela
My favourite dinner is Peppered Steak with sauce and fries and if I can eat it with Maria and have Pink Floyd playing in the background it would be perfect. In music I also like everything from De Lillos to Luar Na Lubre.
The one confession I have to make is that I’ve never made a pilgrimage to Santiago. I am going to put that right soon. I promise.
I try to get to bed reasonably early. I am a great reader and I’ve recently finished the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. On my bedside table at the moment is a copy of Myren (Swamp) by Arnaldur Indridason.
If I was to make three wishes they would be:
1 That my new venture will help pilgrims and will be reasonably successful
2 That next winter will not be so long and rainy
3 That Ryanair starts a new daily route from Santiago to Oslo "
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Ivar Rekve will soon open the new Camino Travel Centre http://www.caminotravelcenter.com/
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Ivar is surely well on his way to sainthood. His website and its forum are fantastic resources that really helped my wife and me with our Camino in 2008. We should all wish Ivar well with his new Camino Travel Center.
ReplyDelete- Derek in Canada
Thanks for that, Johnnie. I visit Ivar's site regularly.
ReplyDeleteBuen Camino
Brian
Thanks for the inside information on Ivar. Of the many Camino sites out there, I find Ivar's to be the best. The interaction among veteran pilgrims and the novice pilgrims is very helpful. He has found a niche and is doing a great service...
ReplyDeletePerhaps I shall have the opportunity to meet him when I arrive in Santiago this May.
"Ginn"
In Sunny Santa Fe