The Camino Pilgrimage

Welcome, pilgrims! ... or soon to be pilgrims!?!

Your curiosity has brought you to this page, and I hope that the information I provide about my personal experiences planning and completing the Camino de Santiago (Ruta Frances) in 2025 will inspire you to pursue your own Camino!

The pilgrimage along the Camino (whichever route you choose) is one of those journeys that is very personal and so very difficult to put into words. There are tangible rewards and there are also rewards of your experience that you might not realize until months or even years after. It is not only a journey of miles and physical challenge, but also an intrinsic journey that can be spiritual, reflective, and rewarding.

Some of the unexpected "perks" of my adventure include meeting people of various cultures from all over the world. Sitting at the dinner table in an albergue in Castrojeriz one evening eating home-cooked Korean food revealed that I was in for a special journey! (Not to mention that of the 12 others sitting at the table, only two were from the USA!) As a lover of cultural diversity and languages, the Camino experience was a bit of heaven for me. 

Another benefit, in my perspective, was finding out just how much I can do without and still be full of joy and fulfillment. When you are carrying on your back everything you will need for your trek of 15-30 days, you become very aware of what is a necessity and what is "fluff."  Other things I did without for at least 16 hours of each day were phone/text conversations, social media, and the world making demands on my time and attention. In a nutshell, I simply ate, prayed, sang, talked with people along the way, washed my clothes, and slept. It was GLORIOUS! :)

If you are a lifelong learner like I am, along "The Way" you will encounter new situations, historical structures and stories, cultural conversations, and language practice. I have taught Spanish for over 27 years (27 in the classroom), and the immersion experience on the Camino is invaluable. English is spoken, but the environment in the small villages of local people and meeting new friends through speaking Spanish is a growth experience. And then, many times in conversations with other pilgrims, English will be the common language whether they are from Austria, Japan, France, Germany,  Finland, or any of the other countries represented.

Finally, spiritual growth is a key benefit. Although people walk for various reasons today -- adventure, tourism, or physical challenge, the traditional and historic reason for journeying to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela was for religious or spiritual reasons. (I will post some of the background in my slideshow.) For me, that was the pull to walk the Camino. I was seeking God's presence and a closer spiritual relationship with Him along The Way.  I felt like there were some things I needed to get rid of and some questions for which I wanted answers. Mission accomplished. It is surprising what undivided attention and taking time to listen will do. Jesus told us to "ask, seek, and knock." 

So the advantages of being a pilgrim along the Camino de Santiago are innumerable, and sometimes they sneak up on you. 

I am going to post some information in hopes that it will inspire and help you to begin your research for a solo trek, or as the leader of a group of pilgrims pursing this adventure.