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600km Walking Pilgrimage through Spain

Written by Denise Chng Lisan & published on September 2 2008

From the moment I discovered an ancient pilgrimage path in Spain in June last year, the attraction of walking hundreds of kilometres towards an assured destination grew on me daily. My eagerness to go on a month-long journey on foot across the steep slopes, lush valleys and forests of the Pyrenees, and through countless small towns and villages, was part of a subconscious quest to find depth and meaning in my life. At the age of 33, I was approaching – prematurely, perhaps – what seemed to be a mid-life crisis.

Straits Times Life! Article,Denise Chng Lisan,Camino de Santiago,Camino Frances

Letter from Quebec: Preserving Heritage

Written by Denise Chng Lisan & published on November 8 2008

'TRAVEL is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living,' wrote Miriam Beard. Life in Quebec is now my teacher, pointing out my knowledge gaps and honing my ideas of living - be it language, culture, life-skills, or the environment.

Denise Chng Lisan

You can do it! Phenomenal!

Posted by Denise CHNG Lisan On Saturday, November 03, 2007
Reaching Alto de Poio is the steepest climb on the camino. But during the tough climb, I learnt something important.

Maria and I thought the boys went far ahead of us. So we took our own sweet time walking on our own lagging far behind, each lost in our thoughts. When I reached the foot of Alto de Poio, far far above me on the peak, I saw the silhouettes of the five chicos. They started shouting, cheering me on. I found a new gust of energy within me to complete the tough steep climb. The chicos didn't move ahead. They stayed on to cheer me and Maria on. Maria and I appreciated all the cheering for our last mile climb! Thank you chicos!

When I reached the top, I couldn't resist taking videos of the chicos cheering. I didn't understand a word what the chicos said, but I understood the meaning of it all. I too joined in the cheer.

Later I told Antonio that I was really touched the boys stayed on to cheer us on. Antonio said to me without hesitation, "It's very important, amongst friends." The experience made me see friendship in new light. Phenomenal.

"Don't walk ahead of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend forever."

- unknown

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    Ave Maria - Lourdes, France
    IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER

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