The Camino

It's tough to begin a post about the most recent section of my time abroad. For the last 37 days I have been walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St James. This is a 490 mile pilgrimage trail that beings in St. Jean Pied de Port,  France and ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I made the choice to continue after Santiago to Fisterra, another 55 miles, all the way to the Atlantic ocean. This means I have walked the entire length of northern Spain. And if you couldn't tell from my poorly hidden hints of bragging- I'm quite proud of this accomplishment.

Me- at the edge of the world Fisterra, Spain

The famous sign marking the edge of Santiago!

Sans 2 rest days, daily life consisted of waking up around 5:30am, strapping on my pack and walking 12-18 miles. I would then check into an albergue (think hostel) and go to sleep around 9 or 9:30 so I could wake up and do it again. Throw in some incredible conversations, about 6 meals a day, and perhaps a nap and you've got a good picture.  In case you are wondering, my pack weighed about 22 pounds when my water was full. Yes it was hard and yes I got blisters.

Camino scenes: cafe sidewalks filled with backpacks and walking sticks

Spain is filled with beautiful nature scenes and my favorite flowers, poppies!

The typical pilgrim lunch: a cheese, chorizo, and bread sandwich. 

But beyond being an incredible physical challenge, the Camino is so much more. People come from all over the world to walk it and for a million different reasons. Some come for sport, some for religious pilgrimage, others for healing, and many because they simply don't know what's next. My reasons were to connect with God, connect with others, and connect with myself.
I was extremely fortunate that my parents were able to start the Camino with me. It is something they have been wanting to do for many years and it was a blessing to share part of the Way with them. They were absolute champs- pushing through bum knees, blisters, plantar fasciitis, and sore ankles. Despite the hardships, I think they enjoyed it and got a taste of the journey I continued on my own.

Mom, Dad, and I with part of the Camino crew.

After Mom and Dad left, I fell in with a group of walking buddies. Two guys- a Canadian and an American and three other girls- all American. People phased in and out of the group but these were the main people I spent the redst of the Camino with. We walked, tsalked, ate, and grew together. We were and remain incredibly different people but poor differences helped treach us lessons we needed to learn. Below is a list of just some of the lessons I learned on the Camino:
1. When you don't think you can't go another step, you can.
2. In life, it is necessary to cast off timidity and play all your cards.
3. Life is best lived with others.
4. Living life with others requires sacrifices- they're worth it.
5. Its possible to walk 12 kilometers before eating breakfast (possible, though not suggested).
6. If you want to have a good conversation with someone- take a walk.
7. Talking about your faith with others strengthens it and allows for personal reflection on your true values and beliefs.
8. People are incredibly different but we all seek purpose and connection.
9. Shut up and listen.
10. Most of us have way more than we need. The simple life is the best life.
11. Choose to live with joy- always.

These are just a few of the lessons the Camino and my Camino people taught me. I now want to share with you a few if the sayings that were often proclaimed on the Camino. The first is, "it's your Camino." This encompasses the fluidity, acceptance, and diversity found on the Camino. This phrase in essence means that though you may walk with others or be asking others for advice in the end the way, pace, and reason why you walk is dictated by you alone. Goodbyes for a day or forever are common on the Camino. In the beginning it is hard but by the end you understand that leaving is what that particular person needs to do to "walk their Camino."

Another phrase we use often is, "the Camino provides." Be it food, a bed, companionship, healing, or confidence- what you truly need the Camino provides. It may take us for an unexpected loop but it provides. And what is "the Camino'" anyways? Well, obviously it is the trail itself but also the people and the experience. When you least expect it someone happens by too help or encourage you. When you run out of water, a fountain is there. When you are struggling with a thought or concept, a conversation or moment will come along that sheds light and understanding.

Interestingly, I also discovered another beautiful aspect of the Camino. It is a place where people, many of whom are nonbelievers, exemplify the Body of Christ without knowing it. Pilgrims care for each other and offer support on many different levels, just as the Body of Christ is called to do. I think that is why so many people are drawn to the Camino- here they receive the  love, acceptance, challenge, growth, and support that they often fail to find in daily life. This highlights the thirst for genuine community that people from all places and backgrounds desire. It also calls us, the Church, to work towards achieving the same raw, genuine, and supportive community in our churches, small groups and homes as is found on the Camino.  If we take up this challenge it is possible to show nonbelievers that the love, purpose, and connection they seek can be found at home and within the Body of Christ.

 Life will never be the same after completing such a journey. I am incredibly grateful to the Lord for providing the opportunity, time, and funds to make it possible. It is my prayer that I never forget the lessons and truths the Lord has revealed to me in this time. Unfortunately, I am only able to scratch the surface of my experiences in this blog. So, if you want to hear more, well...we'll just take a walk sometime.

My Camino girls: from left to right Elizabeth, Me, Melissa, and Tricia

The girls and I in Leon enjoying a well deserved rest day.

The girls with our Canadian walking buddy Brad.