After spending five special days in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, for the first time I board a plane of the Bulgarian Air company, which will carry me to my next destination on this journey without (many) plans that I am making in tribute to the 20 years since my pilgrimage on the Way to Santiago.
Since it is forbidden to turn on your computer before and during take-off, I take a look at the airline magazine. Like all other airline company magazine, I know that it will describe the marvels of the country, which I am not very interested in because my visit has been wonderful, so nobody has to tell me again how marvelous the place is. Years ago, during the extremely harsh communist regime when no-one could visit the country, a Brazilian author wrote a book questioning the very existence of Bulgaria: he claimed that he had never known a soul who had come here. So, maybe it was all one big conspiracy to make us believe in a reality that did not exist. The book, of course, is very funny, without any criticism of the Bulgarians, but it does explore the fact that the collective imagination can sometimes be manipulated.
I am thinking of that writer as I read the airline magazine when suddenly, among the pages where normally you find advice about hotels, restaurants and boarding procedures, I come across something that fascinates and surprises me:
A] Walking through the center of Sofia means having to confront cars parked on the sidewalk, people hooting their horns in your ears, dogs straying loose on the street, and holes that appear without any notice to warn pedestrians.
B] If you want to take a bus, remember that the doors are small, so there is a good chance that you will hurt yourself while boarding. Toss a one-lev coin (the local currency) in the driver’s lap, shout where you want to get off, and be aware that the buses do not always respect bus stops. Don’t let that put you in a bad mood.
C] If you’re driving, take all the following items into account: a driver’s license, passport, stainless-steel nerves, eyes that must not blink for an instant, traffic lights that look like hieroglyphics (Bulgaria uses the Cyrillic alphabet), and mad drivers.
D] When you stop at a traffic light, be prepared to see your car surrounded by a crowd of children ready to clean your windshields: be firm, don’t accept!
E] Traffic policemen are “prodigiously venal” and are watching out for you. Behave like a saint, do not stress out, not unless you want to pay an “on-the-spot fine”, which is simply a bribe.
F] Bulgaria has a high crime rate, but please relax! You will be as safe or unsafe here as in New York, London, Paris or any other big city.
G] The lighting is awful during the night.
H] Shopkeepers never have change. Ask at your hotel for low-value bills, otherwise you run the risk of waiting for twenty minutes while the salesperson goes to the neighbor or to the closest bank to get change.
I] To get back to the buses: some of them have a terrifying machine at the door, and you have to discover fast how to extract your ticket from there. Remember that public transportation is paid everywhere in the world. Of course, chances are great that during your journey you will see inspectors boarding the bus and asking the passengers for their tickets, but most of them won’t have tickets, so there will be an argument and they will all end up having to pay a fine. Since you have overcome all these problems by already buying a ticket, you can watch all these arguments without any fear.
Let’s be honest: almost any big city in the world suffers from most of these problems (the ticket situation, for example, is something I have experienced in Amsterdam). But this is the first time that an airline company has ever mentioned such problems. Congratulations on having the courage to do so, this has made me love the country and its people all the more.
The next text will be posted on the 26th of May.
P.S: Dear reader,
During this journey, that is filling my soul with very interesting experiences, one of the most magical moments comes every night when I read the comments posted on this blog. Even though I can’t answer all of you, I want you to know that it’s very important to me to know that I’m not alone on this path. Thank you so much for your support and for the words and ideas that are now engraved on my heart.
Paulo Coelho
Dear Mr. Coelho what a nice story. As a child I always wanted to be invulnerable. It took me 33 years to learn this can be only done by being as vulnerable as I can be….and…..it works. I have become somewhat invulnerable by faith and choice~
Now I see the world differently, I see how vulnerable we all are and how many people (and cities) try to hide in fear of someone finding out…….I can imagine the joy, My friend Mariela from Sofia is like that, direct honest and for that lovely!
Leendert
Amsterdam The Netherlands
Dear Paulo!
Where is you story about your travel in Novosibirsk?
Flap … for a busard landing …
*
the more you advance on the way …
the more the body is accustomed to walk …
the pains caused by stones go away …
and the memory of the difficulties grow blurred …
only remains the pleasure of the walk …
let you advance yet and yet …
always advance …
each step makes you discover a new landscape …
and these steps belong to you …
feel the wind on your face …
lets get drunk you by it …
pick the flower …
look at the bird flying in the sky …
warm your spirit by the rays of the sunset …
collect the present time and dream …
let the dream led the step of the walker …
it’ll guide you more surely than your feet …
smile …
your smile is your passeport …
*
busard
Dear Paulo,
I just received notification of your blog last night and read your postings.
I then had a dream about you.
In it, you were in a storm, (much like the one you described in one of your postings) trying to find shelter, as all of your fans followed you, while their outer garments were being blown about.
We, your fans, were scrambling to find our own garments and personal belongings, but they were all mixed in together with yours.
I realized, as I struggled to find my own, that any of these garments could be worn by any of us. We were all trying to find the same shelter, and all looking for our own personal garments.
I woke up with the following words in my head that I wished to say to you and find it appropriate that you posted the above words at this time, regarding the airline literature.
My message to you:
I refuse to flatter you, because it only serves to weaken you.
I prefer, instead, to be your brick wall, because brick walls are honest and people come to love them more, when they come to their senses.
You are just a mere mortal, asking the same questions every other mortal asks eventually.
You are finding answers to satisfy yourself and to create beliefs to see you through the dark times that gnaw at your soul, continually.
You leave a trail of breadcrumbs, for others to follow, which will, upon finding you and your beliefs, lead them back to themselves.
Although I choose not to flatter you - you, a scared man who chases after inspiration in fear of it forever fleeting, and in fear of entering the great mystery of death like every other man - I thank you for the breadcrumbs.
I love you to much to flatter you.
Sincerely,
Your Brick Wall,
Deb
Dear Mr Coelho,
As I am having lunch at work, I am reading your blog with great attention. It’s my favourite part of the day!
You’re right! It takes a lot of honesty to disclose the less enviable aspects of a country in a travel magazine. Nowadays, most of these would be found somewhere on the Internet, but I’m finding it hard to trust people’s opinions because the full story of the trouble they put themselves in is never completely disclosed.
Have a very nice journey, and don’t worry too much about the pitfalls, overwise, you won’t be able to fully enjoy what’s wonderful…As the late Coluche used to say “Don’t be superstitious, it brings bad luck!”
Very best regards from London
Dear Paulo,
Your new pilgrimage reminds me of the journey I took with you in reading The Alchemist. I am sure your journey will be as rich as mine. All good wishes. Arthur.
Paulo,
Well done on another book. I wish that I was there in Germany to meet with you but I cant make it this time. Can you extend your trip to Ireland? I wrote to you a few weeks back..You replied with words from The Warrior Manual. Since then I have gone back to do a course in Hypnosis and have written half of a book.
It would be such a honor if you could make it over to us here. There are many amazing things to do here and to see, here in the West of Ireland. Hell, we even have a window you can climb through that can absolve all your sin (if you have any) in a church on an island. You could visit Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared to some people a few years ago. Unlike Waterford with the statues!!
We could go for a few Guinness and I can show you Spanish Arch here in the city…a place where men would come with spices and gold form Spain and meet with the people of this town..and with boys on their quests..! There is a nice medieval arch there and also statues of a Lion and a Unicorn (which mean a lot to me), plus other ties to Spain like the Claddagh Ring.
If not thank you for reading my message..
You are always an inspiration and inspiration comes from the heart. It flows like a river to the soul where it collects into a lake…inspiration can get scared sometimes on its journey from the heart to the soul…the heart must be strong and the soul must accept for the journey to finish. Inspiration can then take form into a painting or into words..whatever the heart wishes.
I’m looking froward to hearing about your new book ( as I haven’t yet) and somebody might buy it for me as they always do…when it reaches the shops here.
Best wishes,
Kealan Moore
I am so glad you are enjoying your travels and allowing us to enjoy them with you.
Bulgaria sounds wonderful and an eye opening experience. In a similar fashion I hope you will experience the wonderful city of Baku in Azerbaijan. It has the feeling of East meets West and presents a wonderful mix of cultures which I enjoyed and I believe you would too, having read about your feelings about Bulgaria.
I look forward to reading more of your travels. Take care on your journey and keep smiling!
Jo
One more thing:
Bulgarians nod for “no” and shake their heads for “yes”,
talk for work when they gather to have fun
and talk for funny things when they are at work.
Hey Earth Angel!!
Loved today’s entry. For some reason I found it quite amusing.
Will you be in England. If so hope it will be Birmingham. We have some great sculptures.
Blessed Be
Lisa
xx
To be honest Paulo,
I love reading you! jeje And I eat too much (lol) but that’s true for every bright and sensible woman on this planet, right? And now that I found this blog I’ll probably be posting many times, if that’s allowed? I’ve never met you but you feel a bit like family, so… And my job is sooooo boring that I keep on procrastinating on the web but one of the few eyecatching things I find are your stories. Oh how many compliments we all give you? You must have some ego, now really joking.
Ok maybe this post will never be aired but you’ll still read it, I hope it makes you laugh
Carla
Don’t give up Paulo. No matter where you are right now, we are with you supporting this very special journey.
Hey Everyone! Who is up for a hug chain?
*hugs Paulo*
Next person to hug Paulo?
Hilarious! I always appreciated sarcastic criticism. It makes my belief even firmer that there is always some truth to a joke.
Life’s a pleasant tradition.
Life’s wing is as vast as death.
Life’s a jump the size of love.
Life’s not something,
we put on the mantel of habit
and forget.
It does not matter where I am.
The sky is always mine.
Windows, ideas, air, love,
earth, all mine.
Why does it matter if sometimes,
the mushrooms of nostalgia grow?
Let’s take off our clothes.
Water is just a foot away.
Let’s have a basket and
fill it up with all the greens
and all the reds.
We are not to comprehend;
the secret of roses, but maybe
swiming in the incantation of roses.
Or may be looking for
the song of truth
between the morning glory,
and the century.
Hello Mr. Coelho,
are you planning to come to Germany during your present travel as well?
Please write a short message via E-Mail.
Thanks and regards
Obrigado
Andreas
Dear Paulo!
Have a good time and special inspirations, when you are tickling mother earth by doing your steps on your pilgrimage.
Yes, to be firm and honest any time is sometimes not so easy. And perhaps all of us try to solve situations, we have to solve, by going ways, that seems to be undangerous. And hearts and the soul perhaps speak another language. To be brave and fight for this, what kills the truth or love, or that we think that is trueness, are experiences, we had to learn to fight for.
So, congratulation to all the warriors, who fight with the might of love and faith. Thank you for beeing an example!
Love,
Hubert
How very privileged I feel to be able to accompany you on your return journey to Santiago, thank you for being an inspiration to myself and so many others. May love and luck be with you on your journey.
Hi, how are you? Hope you are enjoying your trip. I don’t know if you are ever going to get to read this, but i want to tell you how much i appreciate “the zahir”, i was going thru a depression, not sad, or angry but actually going thru a depression, and i was scaring everyone, including my parents. they didnt know if i was going to be okay. to help myself, i went on a trip to india, to get away from things. in the train, i saw your book, looked interesting and picked it up, and believe it or not, it cured my depression. i consider that book my bible. and i just want to tell you how much i appreciate it, and how grateful i am to you and that book, that helped me realize i wasnt crazy, zahir, reinforced what i believed in, im a person that loves love and believes that she can change the world with the power of love, and zahir, made me feel like i wasnt alone and how normal it is to not be normal. thank you very much.
bijal Shah
Would’nt it be lovely if honesty was considered a good thing instead of a weekness?
You are such an inspiration, thanks, you have helped me to find my path in life. I am going to change the world. My goals is to make honesty, responsibillity and love more important in peoples life. Thank you for helping me to chose to be happy.
I hope the rest of you trip will be wounderful, and I am planing on the pilgrimage road to Santiago this summer.
Thanks again.
Dear Paulo, you are not alone on this path or indeed your path of life. Reading others wonderful, inspiring comments I could begin to feel that what have I to offer, in my simple language, is little - but I am assured in knowing that what I do say, comes from my heart with lots of warmth, for as I previously commented (in another message), your latest book, The Zahir and all that I read by you, including sharing this journey with you - fills my life with light, for I have come to realise that when we are unafraid to be open and share our innermost desires, troubles, dreams etc we attract like people whom we understand are on the journey too.
I hope one day to meet you in London Paulo.
Love and Light,
Lani
Dear Paulo,
thinking about the glamour in the magazines and the island reality in the five star hotels where you may strand as a business traveller. One colleague told me that he never left the hotel in China, because outside it may be too dangerous. This could be the difference in the mindset of the people. Are you confident enough to enjoy the new environment and give up part of your daily live. Try it - and hopefully you have nice memories at the end.
Take care & good luck
Eckart
Dear Paulo,
I just want to say thank you once again for all the gemstones of wisdom and honesty in your books as well as your entry today. I have been looking forward to it sine your last one especailly I am in the midst of preparing for my exams
I sat for the first of my first Final exams today and even with nerves of steel and relatively suffiicnent preparation I admit I feel the fear in me.
I always bring a book of yours whereever I travel of whenever I am about to face any significant or personally meaningful events in my life and today, I had Warrior of Lights with me. Once again, it was perhaps a sign but your book aroused the belief and trust inside me when I most needed it.
As a ritual I randomly flip through a page before I left my room to go to the exam– without previosu bookmarks or anything, the page that turn up was’ when someone wants something, the whole universe conspires to help you’.
And taking a step back, a week ago my exam nervse were getting to me just as it has always been- at that time, I just randomly flip through your book and then it turned out to be the exerpt on ‘you have been through this many times before because you have never gone beyond it’ And suddenly I realized that I have never conquered the inner battle fully.
Today, I have conquered my weaker self in the exam room- I overcame the inevitable nervousness, the need for control and perfectionism, and despite a shaky beginning, I flowed through till the end.
I really really like the honesty in your books– I always find somehow in life people somehow get conditioned by the ’shoulds’ and the autopilot answer. Many years ago, I was honest and told the teacher she has given me an additional 2 marks and I shoudl get 98% not 100% as she overlooked a mistake which I knew about.
I was proud of that move (though many people thought I was silly) and my mum was annoyed with what i did.perhaps it was her love and her desire for me to do well in exams, but at that time, I thought, while the world has its own law, and maybe it wasn’t a wise move, but shouldn’t honesty be given as much importance as achievements?
Your books help me feel I am not alone in all the dimensions of my life. In fact, the book which really really had a huge impact on me was Veronka decides to die. The voice of veronika was almost like my voice- which in the past, I was afraid to admit honestly such a voice exist.
thanks paulo.
May the remaining of your journey be guided by signs and omens and I hope each day on your journey will be filled with moments that bring some form of magic/insipiration to you –the magician that speaks to so many peoples soul.
Infinity
Your choice of words are simply the best.
Mr. Coelho, I first read your Alchemist in 1998 discovering it by chance in a bookstore, never having heard of you. Ever since, then I have read your other books when the time seemed strangely right. However, when I bought Zahir, I couldn’t finish it. I realized that this life of visions that has abandoned me and my pursuit in regaining it was my Zahir. I just couldn’t finish it at the time. Maybe one day I will finish it and everything will make sense to me. Best regards on your journey.
Dear Paulo,
I wouldn’t where to start if i had to explain all the good your books have brought me. I have read every book of yours and each one of them gave be something different to hold on to. The Alchemist was the first book i read. My best friend’s husband was talking to me one day about one of your books that he read and that’s how i got to read the Alchemist. I loved all your books and i cant wait for the Warrior of the light to come out here. I’m from Quebec, Canada and i’m not sure of when it will come out here. You have alot of fans here you have no idea…. Everybody is reading your books. I take the bus to go to school and to work. And believe it or not, there is always someone reading one of your books. I wish you would come and visit us here…
About the blog, this the first time i read one of your blogs. Verry interesting!! I’ll be reading them from now on.
One more thing, one of my clients where i work looks like you. I had to ask him the other day if he knew a writer named Paulo Coelho. He smiled at me and said of course who doesn’t. And for a second there i really thought it was you
Thx for every book you write.
Rola
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
Dear Paulo,
Im a pilot Paulo, so I can relate to your story about the airline magazine. I work for the airline with the biggest route structure in the world; Im 23 and Im female - so in my job particularly I truly feel like every day of my life also is part of a great pilgrimmage and journey. It’s as nomadic as modern day life can be and it’s a constant challenge to embrace an ever fleeting present moment.
Your books took me through the struggles I had in training and while qualifying. You were the first person to teach me when to search - and when to wait. You taught me never to stop giving love. And you taught me that even the hardest parts of life are a blessing. Im a traveller, it’s what I do and who I am - and I love seeing that in others too. I am hugely interested by what you have to say and you started me on a path that has taken me to a very interesting place and you will agree.
Your books led me into reading many spiritual writers… and brought me eventually and indirectly to Gabriel Garcia Marquez…. I trained to fly in Jerez near Cadiz in Spain, so that connection is to me very powerful… I listened a lot to Shakira and I adore her for her depth and her perseverence and her amazingingly strong spirit and mind - I fell in love with the work of an Argentinian artist, Fabian Perez and have his work all over my home…. and finally, when I was just starting to feel that somehow it was important for me to visit South America as I was feeling so many connections, I by total chance was introduced in London last week to an especially spiritual and guided Mexican singer who sings internationally for a famous Latino guitar player….
You never know where life is leading you when you embark openly on your own journey I guess, but you certainly do feel that it is leading you very surely.
I love your work.
Hannah xx
What if no one read this, what if you were completely alone on this journey? Would you still write, would you continue on this journey if you couldn’t find an audience?
Dear Mr. Coelho
Thank you so much for posting on such a regular basis. I read your blog the first time yesterday. To be specific just your first entry on April 18. I am being extremely stingy and limiting myself to just one entry per day, though I am sure I will catch up soon, since your posts are sometimes spaced a few days apart. I have actually reserved one post for each day, and read them when I am taking a lunch break at work. It gives me the energy to tackle the rest of the day, and is the only “incentive” (in lack of a better word!!) I have given myself to get my work done fast, so I can read your blog.
I can’t tell you what a difference it has made to me!!! So I won’t even go there!!! ;0) But thank you with all my heart!!! It’s almost a privilege being able to read your posts and though I am not on any pilgrimage right now (except for the constant battle of surviving each day at work!!!), your words enable me to take a journey on its own, to a place I have never been, and my mind paints the pictures you have written with words. Thank you so much for sharing!!!! I am eagerly awaiting your next post and wish you the very best till then.
Take care!!!!
Blagodarya!!! (I like to look at the “signs” all around me and its funny but one of my best friends of 11 years is Bulgarian!!!! So this blog was indeed a very, very positive “sign”.)
Sangeeta
‘every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home’ (matsuo basho)
Dear Paolo
for your Journey….
faerie boats sail faerie oceans and faerie skies
sprinkling moondust upon the dreamers
sunbeams upon the seekers
opening eyes to the Lightstream flowing within
….wishing you a faerie boat to sail your faerie ocean
(it’s the only way to travel)
your journey remains a constant inspiration
Love from a fellow pilgrim soul
John
Dear Paulo
lies and quick doing without sense is everywhere.
Find the way out to the inner light.
Haiku
der braune Vogel
vor meinem Fenster singt laut
er sieht die Sonne
er lacht und freut sich über sie…
satt und grün sind die Bäume
©FK 240506/10:30
Haiku
the brown birdy sings
loud in the front of my window
seeing the sunshine
the bird laughs and is happy …
deep and green … the trees
©FK240506/15:05
nice walking throu 20 years
of remembering
yours
Florian from Nuremberg
Dear Mr. Paulo,
I wish your path will be as lit as you lit my heart, my soul and my path towards love, good fight and good faith. Thank you for teaching me about courage, faith and hope.
I am with you on this path and will pray that more wisdom, more light and love will cross the roads with you and inpire you to write more and share more with us, those that have been following you on this path before you even started it and for those that have the chance to join you from now onwards. To this day I thank my friend for giving me such present like The Alchemist.
May the Universe be with you!
From a romanian soul in the UK.
After my exams are finished I’ll be back.
Iulius-Cezar :o)
Paulo - understanding that life is a journey, and that the best reward is to encounter unexpected adventures and sidetrips, it is wonderful that you are on a journey within your journey. The most arrogant of people write books with the answers, not understanding that it is the questions that provoke the most growth and evolution. Thank you for continuing to give us something to think about, and taking us with you on your quest.
Bethany
Hi Paulo,
Thank you.
Everything you say to me is what I’ve always known. So familiar. It’s how I classify quality in the music and art that appeals to me, it’s good to me because it’s like I’ve known it all my life - it is me.
I’m presently reading your interview with Juan Arias. Very interesting for me is the Ethic of Risk, which I have consciously, unconsciously and subconciously subscribed to all my life.
The only other book of yours I’ve read is The Alchemist and for me it had a very special element because I’ve travelled to all those places mentioned in the book. It’s the same kind of beautiful feeling I get when I travel to Egypt regularly to see my husband. The Arabian music and literature is filled with enchantment and it was in the desert in Sinai where I fell in love.
With Love
Imần
Hello there - this idea of a blog is really cool! I’ve wanted to write in it for a while but every time i sit down to write I am speechless! I just finished the Zahir and am completely blown away by it and very inspired to keep the joy of life and love in my soul.
I’m on a major self discovery phase in my life and as usual your books always give me much food for thought - thank you for that.
Kealan Moore has a good point - Ireland is a great place to visit! loads of lovely places to see and the Guinness is great!
Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Best regards,
Leeanne
Dear Paulo!
Sometimes we search for new and helpful informations. I pray for it. May destiny send us the right signs and all helping hands come closer. UP WARRIOR, BE STRONG because: Thine is the power and the glory.
Thank you for listening.
Love
Hubert
Dear Paulo Coehlo,
Thank You so much for all that you have given to me. Your words have lighted something in me. For a long time, I did not love myself but your words, each time I read them, inspire me to do so again and again. The first book I read of yours, River Piedra, I was very sad with my life. But as I read it, I grew with Pilar. Although I am much younger, I related so much with her. I was the same girl that Pilar was in the beginning and as your book went on, I took each step that Pilar took, with her. That’s why this book is closest to my heart and I read it over and over.
I remember in the end of Valkyries, you wrote about all of us having certain faults. Instead of trying to first improve ourselves and then embarking on something, we must go on our path because love conquers all. I always felt that you would be perfect, but you aren’t, yet I love you and I thought that I needed to first improve myself to be worthy of love, even from myself, but I have realised that I love myself. Through and through no matter all my faults.
It’s wonderful to read your blogs, because I can hear your voice through your words everyday.
Roma
Dear Paulo
Thank you for your blog. This, and the Warrior of the Light posts are tremendously uplifting. In the context of your most recent post, the words of a song by Sting come to mind …..
“Under the Arctic fire
Over the seas of silence
Hauling on frozen ropes
For all my days remaining
But would north be true? …”
I wish you more discovery.
love
Shiva.
Dearest Magus,
The description of Bulgaria you found in the magazine is correct. I should know, I lived in neighbouring Romania for the first 24 years of my life. It was like that then, potholes everywhere, poor lighting, people stuffed like sardines in public buses, electricity cut off by the old government -for economy purposes - and so on. People say nowadays that Romania has changed over the past few years,for better. The youth is free to travel the world, at last! There is foreign investment and new businesses are thriving. There is freedom. But there is a problem: the old generation. The elderly, who used to survive on meagre pensions anyway, now forced to go out and try to find work in order to buy food and warm their little homes during winter. Some lost their homes, as they could not afford to pay the rent. My 70 years old Mother met an older lady who walked one hour to the market the other day to buy one egg. One egg!
People like myself left their homeland in an exodus fifteen years ago, after the Romanian revolution. And I am glad I did it, for now I am able to help my old Mother so she does not have to look for work at her age.Places like Romania and Bulgaria need tourism, to help economy grow. When industrialisation took the place of agriculture many years ago- a very stupid policy of the past government- things went from bad to worse. Reversing the process takes time. But Eastern Europe is just as beautiful as any other place in the world. I advise anyone who wants to go there on holiday to stay out of the crowded capitals ,and go see the lovely countryside, and the Carpathian mountains. The capital of Romania is an old city, which-like most capitals of Europe- was not designed for such traffic. Therefore it is impossible to drive arround easily. I am most grateful that our Magus did not allow those difficulties get in his way when visiting East European countries. I know for a fact that he has a lot of fans in that part of the world and his visits are really appreciated.
A humble reminder to you, Magus, that South Africa should also be on your list, some day…Are you going to wait another few years, until the Soccer World Cup? South Africans are patient people, and we’ll wait for you!
I hope the rest of your journey is filled with magic and inspiration.
Affectionately yours,
Gabriela (Not Ilala!)
Dear Paulo,
i am still very much enjoying our journey with you… i would love one day to also walk the camino here in spain, i have fibromyalgia and tire easily, but one… i am a very determined person, some might say bloody minded, so i know one day i will do it!
when i walked into my town of alhaurín el grande here in andalucia, this morning, it was bright and early, streets quiet except the bars… and i was reminded of a part of the reason of moving here… one essance of spain, this early its cigar smoke, brandy, rich coffee and the detergant! what a wonderful combination, i wouldnt want to wear it as a purfume but that smell… the sun was already over the mijas mountains and a strong breeze was blowing and it all combined to make this morning rich with a newness, an anything could happen feeling and expections…
my own small camino this morning and warmed my heart and soul.
i wanted to share this and the poem below to you and everyone who reads your blog… friends…
Time might lead me to nowhere and fate might break me into pieces, but I will always be thankful that once in my life´s journey we became friends.
Marian
Mr. Coelho,
Thanks for sharing that with us, they are brave for putting all those things in their airline magazine, and people will surely appreciate the honesty
.
take care!
~katrina
Dearest Paulo
I woke up this morning not content with the way my life seemed to be going - which way is that? - the way it will be.
I could complain about it - I think only God would be interested in listening to that - so what’s the point - God listens anyway.
I turned on my computer and there you were - or at least there your words were.
The journey is really good - thank you for sharing yours with me.
Michael
Now I will go and design gardens!
Dear Paulo!
I am just finished with “the zahir”, and I loved it so much. Thank you for being just the way you are, we all love you! My heart is broken and I feel so alone at the time. Reading what you write is helping me to find my own peace and my own way. I want to wish you happiness and love, and good luck with your journey. I also have a dream.. I will walk the way to Santiago too. Do you think I can make dream come true? God bless you!
Love from Eva
Hi everybody. Hi Paulo, this is so fine.
Here is a little bit of my heart to share with the world:
Take care of what your brothers and sisters want about you, even when it means that you just have to be quiet. Now you can be honest.
I know i writte funny but i like it that way since you choose what you read.
Paulo, te quiero mucho.
Hi
I would never say to you ‘hi’ if I would meet you but in Internet… Here are quite different rules. But never mind.
I am sitting in my room with my two degus and thinking how funny it is. I always dreamed to be a writer but my dreams are always like a stars. I never can believe that I am able to make them true. (be able - it doesn’t sound well - I come from Poland and grammar was always my bad site) Now, when I read some of your books… No, I still don’t belive that it is possible. I won three maybe four times in a contest in my town but I think that there wasn’t too many people so they didn’t (they = jury) had much choice. I think that it is boring what I wrote.
I always - since I get address of your blog - want to write to you and I had so many to say and now I can’t write in such way as I want. In polish it would be much easier but it is just a excuse.
You know. I noticed that when we said somthing wise everybody are expecting that we will always say something wise then. And they are so disappointed when it doesn’t happen…
It is realy funny that I can write to somebody who is so far away. Who is so important for so many people.
Have you been in Poland? If you weren’t I think you should come and see It. I think you would like It. Perhaps I think so because I love my country so much but… I don’t know why I am writing those words. My heart say that I have to write it. I thought that I won’t but I couldn’t stop thinking that you are somewhere in there and maybe You will read it some day and say: “well, Poland. I have to go there and see Brzeg Dolny near Wrocław…” Small, very small town. Hehe (laugh)…
I think that almost everybody are trying to write something intersting to You. Something which you will notice. I think I wanted to writing something like that too. But then… I think that everything is intersting if we want to see something special in it… And if it is realy intersting in fact
never mind. I think I should go to bed 
(23:27) beacuse I am writing strange things… 
Take care of yourself!
My Dear Coelho,
I am with you, though right now, I can not follow every step of your journey. Life itself has brought at this time a cosuming crossroad to me. Sure was minimize as I opened e.mail of “walking the path with Paulo Coelho”. Certifying me that I am not alone. Our roads had crossed, long ago, and you have become the inspiration on the beguin of my jorney. I had a pleasure to talk to you by phone, I was not ready to talk, I may still not ready, but was a pleasure that I treasure. I say, walk slow, repeating what you said before, is the journey thats matter. That is no special place. All places are special. There are no sins, we are all learning. We all love you and you know, so be glad and enjoy the jorney. Naedja
Hi! Paulo.
Greetings from Singapore. I’ve just started reading your works early this year. The first was Zahir. I was extremely moved & it got me teary eyed(I guess I have sad eyes). I believe there’s a Zahir in everyone of us and that helps us to walk thru life sanely somehow. Last March, my sweet’art got me a collection of your past works. A valueable gift just like your words, which I would carry it with me every day. I’ve just finished The Fifth Mountain. One of my favourite quote is this :
“There is no tragedy, only the unavoidable. Everything hath its reason for being: thou needest only distinguish what is temporary from what is lasting.”
Thank you Paulo. You are truly a remarkable individual cos’ your words says it all and I do hope you would drop by Singapore sometime soon.
Take care.
Hoping to see you..
Kind Regards,
Noei
Crossing deserts
Tasting oceans
Feeling foreign suns
Waking to the song of foreign tongues
For me the journey has always been the reward and the destination
Go n’eiri and bothar leat (may the road rise up to meet you).
Sandra
oh Paulo
there you go again - more beautiful threads being woven into the tapestry of our common humanity. the world is a far finer place with you in it.
go well - be blessed - write more
vivienne
How many trully beautiful and divine souls are celebrating the joy, magic and excitement of discovering each next turn of this absolutely magical pilgrimage that the whole world takes with You, Paulo !
I am very touched to have read all the comments, sparkling with love and sensations that we all experience during our journey, called life. It’s fantastical to feel the heartbeat of so many hearts of light, beating together and this would never be possible without this great idea of Your blog, dear Magician! This common journey is an unique experience and it changed my life too.
I have no words to express my feelings today, but my heart is shining with joy and love to the universe; for all the wonders that happen each second we are alive and all that we are given to feel and explore on our ways.
Life is a wonder. Walking this path with You, Paulo and all who follow is a genuine divine and spiritual gift ! I am faced with miracles each day
I send my love to everybody, and my most heartfelt gratitude for making this journey possible, to YOU, the most magical Magician ! Somehow Your spirit, light and love of the heart unite the world and it is amazing to feel this
with all my love,
Dasha B.
hello paulo!
i’m right now as we speak, starting to read “the pilgrimage”. that was 20 years back already? i guess i’ve traversed your journey a little bit differently, starting with with “by the river piedra, i sat down and wept” to “the alchemist”, and so on. i guess it doesn’t matter, i’m with you on your journey anyway.
rima
Such an irony to find these words in an airline magazine. Not a great way to market your country…but a great way to create a connection with the people. The truth which connects us all. It is almost like the example of there is a giraffe in the room and no one wants to acknowledge its presence, until someone plucks up the courage to voice this. This article displays such courage and what a bold way to express it too.
Life is filled with those moments where suddenly the giraffe in the room is realised and you waken a little more from your slumber to realise the destiny unfolding.
Love & Light
Thea
Yesterday I met an internetfriend from America who just had arrived to spend one month in Europe. I had my birthday yesterday and she today so we exchanged presents. When realizing I wanted to give her something it was already late. I had bought “The Pilgrimage” to read myself (inspired by this blog), but ended up wrapping it and giving it to her (I’ll buy another copy to myself) not even knowing if it is as nice as the others, only that it felt the most suiting as she was travelling and I didn’t know if she already had read “the Alchemis” and/or “the Zahir”. It turned out she didn’t know you at all (it is possible! *grin*), but vagely remembered the booktitle. I described “the Alchemist” and she will probably buy it. She went through great changes in her life last autumn so I think “the Pilgrimage” will be a nice companion in the trains the coming days
Dear Paolo! Today I went little Way about which want to tell. I got up in the morning local time in 10-30. Washed. Got down on breakfast. Nothing climbed. I took an a swig at 2 glasses of apple juice and rose in a number. Dush’ accepted, dressed all clean and tied a yellow scarf on a neck. Left hairs free. Called at a restaurant, to have a drink on a path glass of green to tea, and took interest at a waitress which called Maria: “How can I by the motion to reach Shaman of Stone?”
I not enchantress- is I only study 
I decided that with itself I will have nothing. Neither water, nor bread nor money. I passed a road to that side in which I needed and began to catch poputku. I stood long. Who heard majority where I am necessary did not even ask how many I gtova zaplatyt’- renounced. I decided to pass a little ahead on a road on foot. Turned around and the look my fell down on inscription on a sandwich-board: “If you have the dream!” I went farther.
I moved by turns both on foot or on poputkakh- them there was 5, but the last became for me happy. Him called Еvgenyy. He did not set superfluous questions. But then, when he our ways went ( about 30 km to my purpose) away unexpectedly offered to me to lead to me there and to get back together in a city. I offered to him to take part and to start swim with me. How I there was a soviet to that he consented with gladness. Why? About it farther…
When we rode I saw on the shelf of panel of machine the prayer book of Temple of Хrysta Rescuer and small box from him. Getting permission and looking over him, I found in the small box of empty lystochyk scrap of paper. Making sure, that a proprietor not does need him I wrote the cherished desire on him. And when we arrived, asked to bring Eugen along with itself prayer book and put a message in him.
When we went down to water, to us already a good-natured boatman went to meet, as though waited us, as dear guests.
To we Shaman of stone swam so far very quickly, but when I began razdevat’sya- he was frightened, saying that water is very cold. 6 degrees. He calmed down, getting from me a positive answer for a question about zakalyvanyy. Certainly I female not walrus, but a
grand-dad was necessary to be quieted.
I climbed on Shaman stone of golen’kaya in shorts and with the hairs strung by a yellow scarf. Asked Eugen to pass to me a message and to open a prayer book. After a prochnenyya message he blessed me in place of mother (while I at different people tried to find out about Shaman of kamne- whatever only passions told me) and I dived with a head in water of Boykala! Мater’ is Divine!!!
Forgive! I at not home and time of my output was up in the internet. Other, when possibility will appear
P.S: Sorry after my nasty English
Dear Paulo
This is for Marian.
Marian it’s a beautiful poem, from a beautiful person.
Thanks for sharing it with us, and thanks to all the contributors and fellow pilgrims for sharing their ideas and poems. This blog feels like home.
Maria
What a journey! I dream of also walking the Road to Santiago. Read all your books!
Regards,
Jose
Miami, florida
P.S. thanks for the signed post card you sent from Rio.
Hi from a pilgrim at crossroads,
Have heard a story. A man was terrified he would get blind and cried, cried, he was devastated. This man was consoled only by one of his friends, who himself was almost completely blind, able to see as much as from the top of a pin. Whether truly generous towards us is the person, who lost something or maybe we are able to accept generosity only from such a person? Every travel is a loss, a consciously looked for at the beginning, in the middle or at the end, it always is inevitably forthcoming. We are aware of it and nevertheless travel. Why.
Maybe in order to become more generous or give a chance to others to accept our generosity.
Take care,
sophia
Hi everybody, hi Paulo. Here is another funny thing, a little bit of my heart to all you people:
Guess wich is the greatest
advertising space
there are lots
but there are two
that are the best
dearest mr coelho,
i decided to visit your official site today after a very long time and found out that u now have a blog. such a very long time that is. i have just finished reading the zahir. i’ve read others of yours such as eleven minutes, the alchemist, by the river piedra i sat down and wept and also the warrior of light which happens to be a life companion.
i am truly blessed to have read such writings which continue to inspire me over and over again.
u’ve heard this a million times perhaps, and im sure u’ll continue to hear it as time passes by.
thank you for sharing ur thoughts with the world.
may God bless you in your future undertakings.
best regards, juliana
Dear Paulo,
I have just finished reading your last book “Byc jak plynaca rzeka” (in Polish) and I want to say: Thank you.
I am sending you warm greetings from Warsaw. Today is it a very rainy day but still you can feel beautiful spring in the air.
I hope to meet you soon in Poland, may be sometimes in June? If you need any help to organize your visit just give a ring
Take care,
Danuta
Thank you Paulo fo rsharing your life.
I have screamed since the moment I was born, vague recollections in that split second went through my mind. I screamed of what I had left behind and screamed for what was before me in my long life. Growing up I was always fearful, of what I do not know. As a young adult growing into a woman I wasted so much time trying to make others happy - friends, family, those at work, men… the list is endless. By the age of twenty five it had exhausted me so much I gave it up. I soon learned that people didn’t like you being yourself, not conforming to their idea of what life was about didn’t please them. Many times my mother would say “why can’t you be like everyone else, whats the matter with you?” My dad would grumble behind his newspaper that “I wasn’t right in the head”! Many friends would whisper that “I couldn’t give a toss about anything” and many, many more whispers that were just loud enough for my ears to hear.
People who know my life think I have had a hard life, a struggle, a fight for everything that I have ever needed or wanted… Myself, well I think I have lived a grand life, and I wouldn’t change a thing, it has been great fun and such an adventure. People have come and gone over the years only those who are adventurous to live a true life are the ones I pass again and again somewhere down the line. We meet, make merry, share and then part knowing that the other is about to start another adventure. Don’t you just love life?
Don’t strive for happiness, contentment, pleasure, a new house, clothes or car. Strive for life and living it as you please…
I send you all love, light and everything life can throw at you - just so you know your alive!
Wendy
Hello,
Ahhhh the results of revealing the ‘TRUTH’ as so many!
So far, in my life, almost each time I have spoken my truth I have regretted my mouth in action. Speaking my truth has resulted in being reproached but most numbing is to have been removed from my family.
This past week I’ve attended and also been a volunteer at the Sydney Writer’s Festival so I’ve emersed in a wide varity of truth expressed in both ‘fact or fiction.’
The result is that I am finding a path of expression and truth in a collective voice. So the many barking dogs, narrow doors, finger biting ticket boxes, pot holes and dim lighting etc, etc, etc…may have served me well?
Tomorrw I sit and listen to an Australian ‘Elder’ of Storytelling. To-night I go to my Dreaming enriched by the company of writers and readers and the people on this blog and all who are inspired by our Mentor Paulo.
walk gently Christine
if you had any idea what chain of events the alchemist led me into…i was emersed in darkness,though i perceived it not,plunged into an abyss,spiralled all the way down,clawed my way out inch by inch all cut bruised and a shattered soul,five years later on my ‘path’ there was light,and all of a sudden as fate would lead me to do what i did,i tuned into some obscure radio station and the alchemist story”s being told,lights no floodlights!! lotsa them switched on in one given moment and burned brighter and brighter,i am on another path now..the same one.except the worlds a much brighter place.God bless your soul Mr Coelho,from the bottom of my heart,everything i went thru was as a result of my choices.i had to go thru what i did to get to where im going,its the way of the world.God is truely Great.i love u lots Riaaz 42. cape town
dear paulo i am very sad becouse yo don-t heave a traduction in roumanian nowere and you don-t tell anything about the visit in roumania .
4 December 2006
Paulo,
I’m afraid this is not about the “Twenty years later: let’s be honest”.
The first time that I read your book, “Veronica decides to die” I thought I was reading the very lines that I have written in my journals and those that have crossed my mind but did not have the courage nor the passion to write. It was my thoughts manifested itself in writing. I have read a lot of your books and it was like looking in the clear running water of a river: I see my self’s reflection, yet it is not me. And I see depth and spirit, (I was about to say “more than my own” but that somehow sounded like an insult to the common spirit that dance among us people)… I see depth and spirit like my own, but different.
Now, I seek the same wisdom that lately seems to elude me. I reread the Warrior of the Light in the hope that I might find what I am looking for. Like a hesitant believer “bible-cutting” (randomly opening the bible in hope that the word of the lord might be revealed in the document in their hands), I randomly seek the Net, ask the runes, and the tarots, and the stars and the wind for answers to questions that plague me.
Now, I turn to you, like a wandering leaf that falls to the gentle river that knows its path towards the ocean. I seek guidance from a mentor I have yet to meet. The specific questions in my mind I have yet to capture, .. Yet I know that I have to write this and somehow reach you, or somebody, who knows, or have known even if it was just a glimpse, of the wisdom of the universe.
Maybe I am seeking guidance, or a sign that I am indeed following the right path. I have long recognized my need for assurance, a material or “physical” manifestation of the “answers” that I sought. Faith is something that comes hard from me, and yet I believe that there is something that I believe in, even though I am still in the process of distilling what I want to believe in.
I do want to believe in angels, and signs… But I don’t know how.
Karina