I have a dream of walking “The Camino de Santiago” (a.k.a. the Way of St. James) one day. The commonly agreed-upon route begins at Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, and travels 500 miles through four of Spain’s 15 regions, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The journey takes hikers over the Pyrenees Mountains, past vineyards, and through lush eucalyptus forests. It takes about 30-40 days to complete, depending on your pace.
If you know me (aka The Claritin Kid) you may be rolling your eyes right now. But bear with me. First off, the route is hardly remote. With a "Pilgrim’s Passport", you can access basic lodging and hot showers every 5 miles or so. You pack very light, eat from farm stands and restaurants, and can take more comfortable breathers in some of the rest stop towns along the way. It’s all very budget friendly, as you enjoy some of the most beautiful countrysides in Europe.
More importantly, to me, is that over and over people say that it is hands down one of the most spiritual things they’ve ever experienced. No cell phones. No computers. Just you, the walk and the magic of meeting random people from all over the world. “You just follow the path and whatever comes up is there,” says the guy in this video (Six Ways to Santiago). I imagine on the lonelier stretches it’s just you and God.
When you finally make it to the Cathedral (where tradition has it that the remains of St. James are buried) you get a special certificate, which I guess is cool for hanging on the wall when you get back home. But then? You can push on for two more days (and 50 more miles) to get to Finisterre and the “lighthouse at the edge of the world” where you can have lunch looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. I love lighthouses. Always have. There’s something solitary and yet hopeful about them.
My amazing wife has given me her blessing to go but already told me to count her out. Lol. As have two of my most rugged buddies (one from South Africa and the other from New Zealand, both with plenty of hiking and outdoors experience). I dunno. Maybe I’m crazy. Or maybe I’m just meant to do it alone. But, God Willing, I’m going to find out someday. Mark my words.
