The Camino de Santiago is made of various pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

For centuries, this pilgrimage have attracted thousands of Christians with the intention of visiting the apostle St. James relics, which are said to be buried in Santiago’s Cathedral, dating back to the 9^th Century.  

Even though the Camino has been predominantly known as a Christian tradition, there is evidence that Celts walked through it 1,000 years before Christ in search of Land’s End or the sun resting place, this route was then known as via Finisterre (the way to Land’s End in Latin).   In Roman times, the route also earned the name of Milky Way as it points on the direction of the Galaxy.

Today, the Camino still calls thousands of people, religious or not and with a great variety of reasons.  There is certainly something along those paths that make people come from far away looking for inner peace, to reconnect with our inner self, to grieve, out of curiosity, or simply to slow down.  Whatever it is, many pilgrims quote having lived through a profound transformation after walking a Camino.

It is not the destination but the journey

The Camino starts months before we leave our home.  I would confidently say that it starts the day we decide to walk and finishes months after we come back. 

In my personal experience, I had been wanting to walk the Camino for years, but work and family commitments made it very difficult to take the necessary time to complete it.  It wasn’t probably until I was looking for a change in my life and extremely eager to go, that somehow the universe conspired in my favour.  I was suddenly made redundant from my job which gave me freedom and the means to do it.  Immediately after, I took on an ambitious training regime, I was hungry to listen and read anything that would prepare me spiritually for such a journey, whilst I also researched all things logistics and appropriate gear.  

Weeks before I was worried about leaving my still young family behind, nervous, anxious but excited to go.  When I got there, I knew I was where I was meant to be in that moment in time.  My plan was to walk the c. 780km on the Camino Frances starting from St Jean Pied du Port to Santiago de Compostela and if time allowed, walk to the end of the world – Finisterre.  I did all that, 6 weeks, 900kms, a few pounds lighter and many lessons learned, I was standing by Finisterre Light House reflecting on my previous weeks, I was the happiest woman on earth.

Even though we start with the idea of reaching a destination, for most being Santiago de Compostela; I discovered that many of us, experienced more highlights during the Camino than reaching the destination.  Don’t be surprised if this is your case.

The Camino does not give you what you want but what you need

I found this phrase to be true.  The Camino challenges you in physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual ways.  It pushes your boundaries; it shows you what you are made off by allowing you to spend time on your own, discovering your strengths but also forces you to face your demons.

You are stripped to your core, you are no longer your profession, your title, your status.  Instead, you become another pilgrim out there. One day you can be walking with a celebrity without even knowing, and another day you could be walking with a widow pensioner or a bus driver.  Who we are back home does not matter in the Camino, but one thing is true, there are no coincidences, who you meet, is who you are meant to meet, some people may leave an imprint for months to come, even if you never meet them again. Some people may also push your buttons and teach you patience, kindness, or other virtues that we lack, this too is part of the Camino.

By carrying only, the contents of a backpack, wearing the same clothes for weeks, not worrying about fashion or looks, you will free yourself from material things, it is not surprising that many people come back home and find themselves giving things away or changing shopping habits.

Sleeping in albergues surrounded by strangers, teaches us modesty, appreciation of what we have back at home, tolerance, and community living.  It also allows us to meet and talk to various people from various backgrounds and nationalities, we may find friends for life or the company to enjoy a good dinner.    

By allowing yourself to be flexible, letting things unfold in front of you, putting one foot in front of the other, walking only the distance you are able to, and even better connecting with the elements; you will put yourself in a path of tremendous growth, enlightenment and harmony with the Universe..  

The Camino teaches you a new way of living

If you allow it, the Camino will teach you a new way of living, this can be very different to each one of us. 

I know this to be my case, looking back, without the lessons I learned during my Camino, I would have not been able to endure what life had planned for me over the coming months. 

Whatever your intention is, if the Camino is calling you, it is for a reason.  Answer the call, you never know what you will learn, who you will meet, and with a bit of luck you may even meet the real you.