GEM, Proptech and the El Camino

By Jane E. Hood, Head of Marketing FoxyAI

When Drew Meyers, Founder of GEM asked me if I was interested in joining the group to walk the Sarria to Santiago portion of the The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St James, I was both excited and a bit wary. I had seen the movie, The Way by Emilio Estevez and his dad Martin Sheen – it was one of those trips that would be a bucket list item. On the other hand, could I really walk varied terrain for 72 miles in less than a week with folks 20 years younger than me and keep up? As GEMS events and offsites are top of the list in my book for a variety of reasons, predominantly because of the people and the depth of content and conversations that transpire, I netted out with a resounding “Why Not?”

Day 3: Palas de Ray to Melide -The Guys and the Drone (which on Day 4 Melide to Aurzúa ended up in the River Ribadisos and Lived to See Another Day)

The company was fantastic (as was our guide Ria), the conversations ranged from Golden Visa’s to new prop tech ideas. I enjoyed getting to know folks whom I had not met from Spain, the US and the UK. As for the walk itself, it was exhilarating but tough, and absolutely gorgeous. We walked well, ate well, drank well, and learned to siesta well!

By the last day, while I had accomplished the actual 114 kilometer route and received my compostela, what I really gained was a fellowship with a great group of folks and a deeper understanding of the world and myself along the way.

Buen Camino!

Day 6: The Last Day – Arrival at The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Somewhere Along the Way: Dr. Michael Barnes in the Eucalyptus Grove

Day 6: The Last Day – Celebratory Dinner