I’m
doing it people, I am doing the Camino de Santiago. There, I said it. Until now
I haven’t really publicized the fact that I am embarking on such a momentous
journey that will truly be a trip of a lifetime. If you’re sitting there
wondering why the heck this is the first time that you are hearing about this,
I am sure that you are not alone. The lack of such publicity has been on
purpose; in part to avoid the constant repetition of explaining what exactly I’m
doing, and partially because the idea of doing this scares the living snot out
of me while simultaneously providing a shot of adrenaline every time I think
about it. It has been requested of me to blog along “the way” (some of you may
see what I did there, sometimes I think I’m punny) so that interested parties
could keep up and possibly live vicariously through my experiences; that being
said, here is the place that that will happen. No guarantee that you will have
an update every day (in fact it is very unlikely) or that the blog will be terribly
dense with information and excitement, BUT I will do my best!
Now, “what
the heck is this Camino thingy that she is rambling on about?” Well, while
Google may be able to better answer this question, I will give you my best
attempt to explain. In brief, it is a 500 mile walking/ backpacking pilgrimage
starting in France and extending mostly through Spain, lasting approximately 33
days. The trail has played several roles throughout history and has acquired different names, from being a trade
route to a religious journey for monks to further connect to God. Since then
people from all walks of life have walked the Camino for their own individual
reasons, adding to the character and diversity of the walk. The starting point,
which we will begin on May 26th, is in St. Jean-Pied-du-Port, France. On the
first day we immediately cross the Pyrenees mountain range and plop down into Spain where we
will remain for the remainder of the walk. Throughout the journey we will walk
an average of approximately 12 miles per day (or stage), ending each stage in a
different town or village and staying in various albergues (shelters) for the
night. Along the way I will carry a Pilgrim’s Passport which will be stamped at
different locations along the path and will allow me to earn the final certificate
in Santiago de Compostela. Additionally I will have a scallop shell attached to
my pack to signify my journey along the Camino and identify myself as a
pilgrim. The shell is something that fascinates me the most due to its various
interpretations and meanings that different cultures and religions have adapted
in regards to the Camino. Not only will I be carrying the shell, but the
scallop shell symbol will be posted along the trail to guide pilgrims through
their journey. When the journey ends we will find ourselves in Santiago de
Compostela, Spain, around June 30th. Here is where we will attend the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela and their Pilgrim’s mass. This mass is the culmination of the Camino and has
been known to be such an awe inspiring experience for several reasons, which I
will let you know what those are when I get there.
Being
Catholic, this trip has a whole new meaning to me and my faith. My faith has
always been such a large part of my life and how I lead it. This journey, heavily
Catholic in origin and maintained as such, will offer me an opportunity to
connect to my faith at a whole new level. While this is the hope, I am trying
not to put too much stock into any expectations for the trip and am merely
going to experience it and see where that gets me.
 |
| http://stowawaymag.com/files/2014/04/Camino.16.jpg |
 |
| This is the route that we will be takinng. http://eachstepisthejourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CAMINO-MAP-fin.jpg |
