Are you thinking, ‘Should I walk the Camino?’ My answer is a resounding YES. It’s an experience of a lifetime.
It’s June, and I’m sitting with my computer on my lap, reflecting on my time on the Camino. I’m thinking about what I want to share with others and all the things I gained from walking from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago in Spain. It’s been a little over a month since I finished after 38 days through Spain. Normally, time flies, and you don’t have time for anything. But on the Camino, there was plenty of time, and I think that was one of the things I really liked. There was time to be present, time for breaks, time to do laundry because there wasn’t really anything I had to rush to. It was such a nice feeling.
I think some might wonder if it doesn’t get boring to walk for 38 days straight. I don’t recall waking up a single day and not wanting to walk. Every day, I was curious about what I would experience and see because, even though you do many of the same things every day, you never know what a new day on the Camino will bring. I was always curious about which towns I would pass through, how the scenery would look, which people I would meet, and what conversations I would have throughout my day. I felt that every day brought me something new. Of course, there were days that weren’t as good and days when I preferred to be alone, but then I just did that.
One of the things I liked best was being outside so much, getting plenty of fresh air, using my body every day, and meeting people from all over the world who were just as curious about the journey as I was. I really felt like I gave my brain a break and filled it with lots of good energy. I get so happy thinking about how I felt every morning when I packed my backpack and set off in the fresh morning air.
After the first 13 days on the Camino, I had a rest day in Burgos, where I wrote the following note on my phone:
Camino thoughts and things that surprised me:
🐚 That I have walked for 13 days without getting a single blister. Just a little pain here and there.
🐚 That I can almost always see another pilgrim either in front of me or behind me.
🐚 That you greet everyone you meet on your way, and often ask how they are doing.
🐚 That I don’t feel lonely (yet), even though I’m walking alone. I think it’s because every day I have conversations with people (both short and long), either on the route or in the evenings.
🐚 That it’s much more beautiful than I expected!
🐚 That it’s easy to find a place to sleep – even though it was Easter and some mentioned that reservations might be a good idea.
🐚 That the cost of accommodation can range from 6€ to 18€, but I don’t notice much difference in the value I receive.
🐚 That I actually don’t think much more than 2 days ahead, because I simply don’t know how far I can or want to walk the next day.
🐚 That a night in a hotel is reel luxury.
The Meseta awaits, and I am excited 🌾
A good mix of thoughts and experiences that I feel quite well represents my entire Camino.
Walking the Camino is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It was amazing! I can’t recommend it enough.
