Luca

I remember resting my head on the desk, listening to the teacher, thinking about that one day I will walk The Way, yes, I will do it. Now I am almost 22 and I have a place in my heart, which I will never forget, and that is the Camino Frances.

It was a really instant decision to begin the journey. I bought my ticket to France, and in two weeks’ time, I was having a so-called pilgrim’s menu in one of the loveliest café’s in St Jean Pied de Port. I spent only one night there, I took off to Roncesvalles early next morning with a German girl, Sindy, who turned out to be one of the most special and significant people in my life since then. I met a lot of other wonderful people, but I have to tell, the most precious times during my Camino were when I had to or when I wanted to walk just by myself. I was thinking,singing, running, jumping, doing anything just to keep my mind occupied. But I have learnt it quite soon that that’s what is the Camino about, or at least for me, that you have to learn to accept the calmness and quiet in your head sometime. Also, I attended numerous masses, visited churches, abandoned villages which were perfect opportunities for practising this serenity. I had days, of course, when I needed company. I wanted to listen, I wanted to share.

As the days and weeks passed by I realised that every time I reach a bigger village or city, like León or Astorga I feel a huge discomfort, as I see people who do not understand what I and the other pilgrims experience day by day. But later on, I was able to change this approach not as getting distanced from these people but realizing that I am somebody who is distanced in order to be able to join them more productively and healthily after the end of my journey.

I have learnt so many things, I drew so many conclusions during my walk, and the most important is that everybody walks his/her own Camino and that what makes every step, every decision and your arrival to Santiago so unique. I am thankful for being able to experience the Camino in its fullest and become a pilgrim for a lifetime. Buen Camino!gins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Luca K, Hungary Jul-Aug 2020

Cheryl

When I left the USA I had formulated some questions that I hoped to discover answers to while walking The Camino. Questions such as: 'where do I want to live', 'how do I want to change my life', 'what do I need to change about myself'. I kept a journal, noting daily highlights most evenings. But 41 days along The Way I contracted bedbugs and all of my belongings were washed including my small journal which was destroyed. In a synopsis, I wrote this:

"The lessons of "My Camino" experience are clear in my Mind and etched on my Heart.:

During 3 consecutive days walking alone in silence, I saw my past, without effort, as if a silent movie. I recognized a constant steady, resilient, strong, compassionate thread within the scenes. Through blisters, and exhaustion, pain, and bedbugs I met a part of my self that has always been aware yet untouched by circumstances. I saw that all my busyness, constant thinking and resulting feelings, hopes, dreams and desires were simply distractions, entertainment, unnecessary drama and suffering.

'REST, REST IN PEACE, IN LOVE, IN EACH MOMENT. AMEN'"

I ended The Camino renewed and rebooted, very grounded and in-touch with my deeper self, clear about how I intended to live. All of my questions answered - in a nutshell: I will live a simple life; at peace, in love, in-harmony, joyful - a simple everyday life.

I view The Camino Frances to be a sacred Pilgrimage into oneself, one's heart, one's soul. A path of Love.

Cheryl T, USA Jul-Aug 2017