The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com Angela Durante has never been one to shy away from challenges, especially those that push her body, mind and spirit to their 7 Which is why Ms Durante is embarking on a ABS-day, 900-km pilgrimage from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain this week She jetted to Europe last week. The rest of the trip will be one long walk “I don’t know what this 900 km will bring me; I'm curious; I’m dying to know,” said the 3 1 â€"year-old York Uni- versity PhD history student resident. The trek Ms Durante is going on is called the Camino de Santiago, which travers- es along a large network of ancient pilgrim trade routes across Europe and ends at the tomb of St. James who was one of the original 12 apostles. . Legend has it that James was a fisherman who left his nets by the Sea of Gali- lee to follow Jesus and help establish the Christian faith. Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, James travelled across the Mediterranean to Spain to preach. James then returned to Jerusalem around 44 AD. only to be beheaded by Herod Aggripa. James was subsequently the first apostle to be martyred. The legend further claims that in order to prevent the desecration of his body, lames’ followers secretly car- ried his body back to Spain WALK THIS WAY I Grad student hiking 900 km on Spanish pilgrimage Whitchurch-Stouffville SUNâ€"TRIBUNE PEOPLE and buried it near the north- ern coast, where it remained undisturbed until 813 AD. ‘...I don’t want to be found 24 hours a day. I think we live in a only time. I think we live in a time of too much pressure, too much technology, too many distractions! Within 100 years, people from across Europe were making the journey to pray at his grave site. A church was subsequent- ly built over his bones and around it and the town of Santiago de Compostela was created.- Ms Durante heard about the trek from other travellers earlier this year while she was in France and Morocco. “I would say I’m spiritual, but not religious," she said of her decision to make the trip only six weeks prior to her departure. “It’s a rejuvenation season; time to gather yourself," she said of the pilgrimage’s spring timing. The trek, which Ms Durante will do all on foot, is also part of a larger trip she is embarking on. Once she has reached Santiago de Com- postela, Ms Durante will head off to Portugal and Morocco, where she will write the next chapter of her PhD’s disserta- tion on the images of women produced in the 19203. Angela Durante Stouffville student “I found this fabulous place in Morocco (Essaouira) The pace of life is a lot simpler and a lot slower and I think that's what I like about Solo excursions are noth- ing new for Ms Durante, who prefers to explore the world on her own because “for me, travelling alone has provided a source of reflection and I can’t do that \with other peo- ple. “I think we tend to be attached to other people (and) sometimes we don’t know who we are by our- selves.” fiavelling alone has also enabled Ms Durante to get an inside look into the various countries and their cultures because she has been able to stay with local families from time to time. “That’s really enriching because you can immerse yourself (into) other cul- tures," she said. Through her travels, Ms Durante has also found a greater appreciation for a simpler life. “I used to be one of these (24/7 connected people) and slowly, over the past couple of years I've pared down," Ms Durante said; adding she does not own a phone, watch or car. However, she does have a computer so she can work. “At first I think (People) find it jarring. but once they know me, they realize I don’t want to be found 24 hours a day," she said. “I think we live inacrazytimelthinkwelive in a time of too much pres- sure, too much technology. too many distractions.” Angela Durante is in Europe on a 35â€"day walking trek. The Spanish route has ancient roots. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVE E N