I recently hiked a portion of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. These pilgrimage trails have existed for centuries, originating in hundreds of towns throughout Europe and spanning thousands of miles. [I made both of those statistics up, but it's a lot nonetheless]. The trails celebrate St James by leading pilgrims to visit his purported burial place at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Basilica in Spain.
I did not do this as a religious pilgrimage, although many do. But my father was an Episcopalian priest so I have to imagine he was aware of the Camino and would be proud of my attempt to take this on.
I had a self-imposed limit of one week to accomplish the last 117km [73 miles] from Sarria to Santiago. Come to find out that this plan was ambitious. The first two days of walking were 24 and 25 km respectively which left me partially lame. I took the third day off to recover, and built my mileage back up gradually.
What an amazing landscape to enjoy, often walking right through a family's farm...barn to the left, house to the right, up gravel streambeds and down paved roads. I spent many hours totally alone, and many more surrounded by groups chattering in every language imaginable.
One day my diet consisted of a croissant and an espresso for the entire day. Another had me devouring what a friend described as a mastodon leg for dinner. And the people I met on the trail! From all over the globe. Some had started in France some 30 days prior and hiked through the Pyrenees. Incredible.
Many folks report spiritual awakenings from this adventure. I have to admit to having some myself. But I'm still sorting this out and will have to let you know. But suffice to say that I am changed, as well as tattooed.
I did not do this as a religious pilgrimage, although many do. But my father was an Episcopalian priest so I have to imagine he was aware of the Camino and would be proud of my attempt to take this on.
I had a self-imposed limit of one week to accomplish the last 117km [73 miles] from Sarria to Santiago. Come to find out that this plan was ambitious. The first two days of walking were 24 and 25 km respectively which left me partially lame. I took the third day off to recover, and built my mileage back up gradually.
What an amazing landscape to enjoy, often walking right through a family's farm...barn to the left, house to the right, up gravel streambeds and down paved roads. I spent many hours totally alone, and many more surrounded by groups chattering in every language imaginable.
One day my diet consisted of a croissant and an espresso for the entire day. Another had me devouring what a friend described as a mastodon leg for dinner. And the people I met on the trail! From all over the globe. Some had started in France some 30 days prior and hiked through the Pyrenees. Incredible.
Many folks report spiritual awakenings from this adventure. I have to admit to having some myself. But I'm still sorting this out and will have to let you know. But suffice to say that I am changed, as well as tattooed.
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