Program 672: Paddle Boldly; Hape Kerkeling's Camino; Sacred New Mexico

On the next Travel with Rick Steves, kayaker Dave Ellingson tells us how he learned to savor the unexpected, on a paddling adventure in Minnesota.

German comedian Hape Kerkeling [ HOP-ee  KIRK-ul-ing ] relives his hike on the famed Camino de Santiago in Spain, where he discovered there was something new to learn every day.

And adventuress Christina Nealson recommends places in New Mexico to get in touch with both the Spanish colonial and indigenous heritage of the desert Southwest.

• A new set of fundraising modules #2022-1, plus an updated Travel with Rick Steves premium package, are ready for you to air, to raise listener support for your station.

• David Ellingson, author of the "Paddle Pilgrim" book series (self-published)
• German comedian and TV personality Hape Kerkeling, author of "I'm Off Then" (Simon and Schuster)
• Christina Nealson, author of "New Mexico's Sanctuaries, Retreats and Sacred Places" and "Wild Road Home: Memoir of an Adventuress" (Wildwords Press)

• David Ellingson has written a series of "Paddle Pilgrim" memoirs about his kayaking adventures in North America and Norway. He's also written a children's book called "Grizz and His Friends."
• The travel journal Hape Kerkeling wrote from hiking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela across Spain, became a best-seller in Germany.  The English translation of his book is called "I'm Off Then."
• Hape provides profiles on his website of some of the satirical characters he has portrayed over the years.
• Christina Nealson is an author and photographer, who writes about her adventures around the Western U.S. on her website and in her memoirs.  Christina also documents her days in the Arizona desert on Facebook.
• Christina's website includes a link to a Kindle e-book edition of "New Mexico's Sanctuaries, Retreats, and Sacred Places."

• Caller decided to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela "to see what it would be like having your feet as the sole means of transportation."  Had to let go of "being goal oriented and enjoy the journey without being caught up with time and destination. It was like walking with 2,000 years of energy." (Carene in Manchester, Washington)  
• Recommendations for planning a hike along the Camino. "Did the Camino a few months ago — on our own, like most of the pilgrims we saw. No need for a organized tour. We started on the French border for a total of over 450 miles in about 32 days. Recommend it to everyone. We are not hikers and not in great condition, but came back in better shape." (Ellie in Seattle)
• Did the Camino a year ago with best friend. "It only gets better as I look back on it, reading my journal and realizing what I'd learned. At mass in the cathedral in Santiago, so many people we'd seen throughout the way appeared once again. I discovered that meeting people who were each so different, from all over the world, was the best part of the trip. Living simply with few possessions is enlightening. We all want to believe we can keep ourselves safe by surrounding ourselves with all the stuff we need. But when we let that go, we learn that our relationships are the most important." Recommends the Camino to anyone open to the experience of not knowing exactly where the road will lead, but nevertheless willing to follow it whole-heartedly. (e-mail from Sarah in Boulder, Colorado)
• "Each of New Mexico's cultures has its own sacred places and rituals, but what are your thoughts on how the cultures have influenced each other?" (Diane in Santa Fe)
• "I love New Mexico and am anxious to learn about the sacred places there. I have a place in Ruidoso, New Mexico and am fascinated by the state's historic sites, including petroglyphs." (Barbara in Wimberley, Texas)

• Michelle Sell, "Arroyo,"  Secret Harbor / Sugo Music
• Christopher Parkening, guitar, with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, "‘What God Hath Done,’ from Cantata 99 (J S Bach, adapted by Walton and Ravenscroft),"  The Great Recordings / EMI Classics
• Willie and Lobo, "Tribute to Manolo," Gypsy Boogaloo / Mesa-Blue Moon
• Cookie and the Cupcakes, "The Peanut," By Request / Jin
• David Chevan and Warren Byrd, "Waters of Babylon," This is the Afro-Semitic Experience / Reckless Do Music
• Tsa’ne Dos’e, "Inland Water Travel," Arctic Refuge: A Gathering of Tribes  (collection) / Soundings of the Planet
• Ensemble PAN, "Danse d'Abroz," The Island of St. Hylarion / New Albion
• * Andy Narell, "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J. S. Bach)," The Bach Variations / Windham Hill
• Soho Travelers, "Elements of Nature (Light of the Bar Mix)," Indian Chill Lounge (collection) / 4 Elements Records
• Haunted By Waters, "Like the Dust," Portraits in Sound vol 1:  A Collection of World Music (collection) / World Domination Recordings
• Daniel Kane, "Daddy Slow Down," On the Street Where You Live / (self-released)
• Country Fair, "Der Froliche Wandersmann," Oktoberfest / Columbia River Entertainment
• New London Consort, cond. by Philip Pickett, "Dum pater familias,"  The Pilgrimage to Santiago / L’Oiseau-Lyre
• * Modern Mandolin Quartet, "Canzonetta (Mendelsohn)," Modern Mandolin Quartet / Windham Hill
• Steve Roach, Kevin Braheny, Richard Burmer, "Desert Prayer," Western Spaces / Chameleon
• Robert Mirabal, "Ee-You-Oo," Many Blessings (collection) / Silver Wave
• Little Wolf Band, "Night Chant," Dream Song / Triloka
• Sacred Spirits, "Tor-Cheney-Nahana (Winter Ceremony)," Yeha-Nona / Virgin Records America
• Missa Mexicana, Arturo Quezadas, conductor, "Gloria (comp. Jesus Echevarria),"Missa Mexicana, op 172 / Conaculta (Mexico)
• Robert Mirabal, "Yellow Ram's Song," Song Carrier / Silver Wave
• Gordon Bok, "Matachines," Gatherings / Timberhead Music
• Ottmar Liebert, "Chi-Wahwah Beauty," Opium, disc 2 / Epic 

* indicates filler music used during breaks

• At 8:50 in segment A, Dave Ellingson describes how he set out on his kayak trip on June 1st in record 100-degree heat in Minnesota (in 2021). 
• At 31:18, Rick notes that the numbers of hikers on the Camino have started to rebound "in the past year" after falling off when the pandemic started. In another reset at 35:26, Rick mentions that Hape Kerkeling has released an album of personal songs "in the last year." Rick also adds that the interview was recorded pre-pandemic.
• At 48:40, Christina refers to the twice-daily mass ascension of migrating birds "in the winter" at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
• In the reset at 50:03, Rick adds that Christina is now living in the desert "outside Tucson."