Free hugs for peace back at home

This morning, I was at the weekly market in Namur, Belgium, giving free hugs to the people passing by.

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The nicest YES to free hugs
I already told you about people refusing free hugs, sometimes with very funny excuses. But it would not be fair to forget the big majority of people who accepted my free hugs. 
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Sowing seeds of love with free hugs
After giving my hugs on the camino, I often invite pilgrims to give each other a hug, too. The reaction is always very positive. 

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Free hug pictures from all over the world
During my walk on the Camino de Santiago, many people took pictures of me giving free hugs. They where really kind to send them to me, sometimes with a very nice message. 
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What is your message to the world?
On the road to Calzadilla de la Cueza, in the middle of a very warm day, I met Bastien from Setes and Quentin from Montpellier, two French guys who were making a documentary about the Camino : "Retour sur le Chemin de vos Rêves". 

Their question to the pilgrims was very simple: "What is your message to the world?"
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Free hug party on the way to Sahagún
Since I have passed Leon, the number of pilgrims has decreased dramatically. But people coming out of the long walks in the Meseta are very open minded and my "free hugs" are very successful. 
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Why people don't want a free hug
Not everyone is keen on receiving a free hug, far from that!
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Tears on my shoulder
As you can see from the pictures, free hugs usually generate a lot of joy. But sometimes, they also create deep moments of emotion. 
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Free hugs become contagious on the way to León
Nothing could make happier than when people start hugging each other on the camino. 
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Ups and down between Sarria and Ponferrada
Passing Sarria (coming from Santiago), the number of pilgrims on the Camino decreases dramatically (approximately one fifth).
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Free hugs between Santiago and Sarria
My first free hugs on the camino. Very nice meetings with people from all over the world : Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Korea, Argentina, Slovaquia... But also Trinidad y Tobago, Singapore and even... Kirghizistan!
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First steps out of Santiago
A 1000 miles journey starts with a single step... That's what I thought when leaving Santiago to start my "reverse camino". 
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My first free hugs in Santiago
You have to know the truth: I had never given any free hug before this day. 
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D-1: Preparing my departure
Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for 40 days on the Camino. I like to do a couple of "rituals" that are already part of the trip...
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Be the change you want for the world
Last night, 4 days before my departure to Santiago, I was in doubt regarding my project. 
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Pilgrim passport from Santiago
I just received my pilgrim passport. It is a credeziale, delivered by the Via Francigena (way of Assise and Rome) pilgrim association. 
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A skirt with a nice story

My violet skirt walked about 2000 km with me in France and Spain. It lasted 4 summers on the Camino, but when I arrived in Fisterra, the poor skirt was totally worn.

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Updating my blog on the Camino

This year, as I will be walking on the Camino from Santiago, I would like to post updates on this blog rather than on Facebook.

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What is it like walking the camino in reverse?
Gérard Trèves is one of the very few authors writing about their way BACK from Santiago to home.   
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Free Hugs Month starts on July 4th

According to Wikipedia, the International Free Hugs Month is celebrated on the first Saturday of July and continues until August 1st.

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The Franciscans' prayer for peace in Santiago

In Santiago de Compostela, I attended the prayer for peace, at the convent of San Francisco (everyday at 7:00 pm).

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"Make me a Channel of Your Peace"

"Make me a Channel of Your Peace" is a song based on St Francis' prayer for peace.

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My first march for peace on January 1st in Liège

On January 1, 2015, the Community of Sant'Egidio organized a March for Peace in Liège.

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