Over the course of 6 days in February, I walked 128 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago—a famous trail leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, established at the beginning of the 9th century. The Camino is a historically religious pilgrimage and is described by many modern-day “pilgrims” as a life-changing, deeply spiritual experience. It didn’t take long for me to understand why.
In the days leading up to my flight to Spain, I purchased a hiking backpack and Merino wool socks and listened to countless podcast episodes detailing other travelers’ Camino experiences. I had very high hopes for the trip, but I didn’t know what to expect. At the very least, I figured it’d be a nice walk. Instead, it was like stepping into another life.
Unlike other trips I’ve been on, I didn’t feel like a tourist briefly catching a glimpse of a new place. Instead, I felt totally immersed. Every day, I woke up before sunrise and walked until my feet ached, guided by bright blue signs marked with golden scallop shells—the symbol of the Camino. The scenery changed slowly around me as I climbed hills, crossed bridges, and passed through villages. In the afternoons and evenings, I’d explore the cities I landed in. Each place had its own distinct character. Baiona was the most stunningly serene coastal town I’ve ever seen, whereas Vigo was surprisingly metropolitan. At night, I slept in hostels on disposable sheets.
One of my favorite moments was sitting in a sunny, historic courtyard in Pontevedra with a glass of red wine. I sat there with the sun warming my face for ages, feeling like time had slowed to a near stop. Throughout the entire trip, I felt incredibly present and relaxed. I couldn’t help but wonder how I could recapture that feeling in my daily life.
Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago carry “Camino passports” and collect stamps (sellos) from the places they visit along the way. When my passport arrived in the mail, it came with a little card with a “Prayer on Arrival in Santiago” printed on it. My favorite part went like this:
“As we return home, give us courage to live in the spirit of the Camino.”
This was a very special trip to me, for a lot of reasons. But, overall, I think it gave me a sense of peace, freedom, and adventure unlike anything I’ve felt before. I hope I can continue to live in the spirit of the Camino this year, and onwards.
A few sounds from the trip:
