Only 223 km out of 840 km left to go. Walking from 20–30 km per day, on various types of trails; from paved busy roads, to rocky, seemingly never-ending torturous steep dirt trails…. meandering up through mountainous pastures and forest and back down through the quant coastal villages of Spain.
It’s been a long, wonderful journey so far.
There are 7 Well established routes of the El Camino Santiago (St. James), and many different paths you can take within each Route. There is a popular saying on the Camino “Todos los Caminos Son El Camino” (All the Caminos are the way)
I am on the Northern route, the Norte. It is mostly on the coast. It starts in Irun, at the border of France and Spain and ends in Santiago, Spain.
The people walking the Camino are called Pilgrams or Peregrinos in Spanish. We stay in Albergue’s, which are like hostels for Pilgrims. At one place I stayed there were people from 18 different countries.
Walking the Camino started out as a Religious pilgramige, and traditionally people would start the walk from their homes… and some still do. I met a 23yr old guy who walked from Belgium, a 22yr girl and a few others I met started in France, and a 72 yr old man started in Germany and its his10th time walking a Camino.
I said started out as Religious, because now there are numerous different reasons people walk the Camino…most because of some personal life changing situation.
That is why I like it so much… I absolutely crave change and love being around people who are experiencing very deep change in their lives and selves.
Another saying on the Camino is “The Camino will provide”… I have witnessed so many beautiful connections with people and acts of kindness, support, and generosity.
We start walking before the sun rises, and all throughout the day we hear from other pilgrims and locals saying “Buen Camino!”, meaning “good way”.
If you are inspired to experience the El Camino Santiago and would like some tips on packing or hearing more about it, contact me… I am happy to help.
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU
“We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.” — Ben Sweetland
