The Ways of Santiago and Fátima described in the first person: this is what the book “Nunca Pares” offers. Emanuel Mendes, the author, will be in Albufeira to talk about the paths that “form a parallel with life”. It will be on Saturday, February 22, at 16 pm, at Lídia Jorge Municipal Library.
Born 41 years ago in Lisbon, Emanuel Mendes discovered the Caminhos de Santiago in 2015 and the experience has never stopped him from exploring this journey. Initially, it opted for the Portuguese Central Way, starting from Lisbon, and later adopted other trails. From these paths, he made narratives in the first person, which he now gathers in a book in the form of a diary.
Walking in outer and inner space is the motto of this book along several paths: Central Portuguese Way, Lisbon-Fátima, Porto-Fátima, Portuguese Way along the Coast, French Way, Aveiro-Fátima, Tomar-Fátima-Santiago de Compostela-Muxia -Fisterra.
Throughout the narrative, the various chapters address the description of how the idea of walking these Paths arose, a brief historical approach, the symbology associated with the Camino de Santiago, planning and “the lessons learned”.
The author says that "the paths form a parallel with life" and that "we should not think about the exits that will appear ahead, nor those that have already been left behind", as "we spend too much time stuck in remembering the past and planning for the future”.
Emanuel Mendes works as an airline pilot, specializing in Boeing 767, having started his military career at the age of 18, as a volunteer in the Navy in the Marine specialty, where he took the officer training course.
He participated in the mission to support peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, returning after that mission to the Escola de Fuzileiros, where he remained linked to instruction until ending his career in the Armed Forces, in December 2003.
In January 2004, he started the training course for Maritime Police officers, serving in various commands nationwide.
With many stories to tell, “Never stop” is, according to the author, “a teaching to take advantage of the moment, to feel the taste of what is being lived now”.
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