Camino de Santiago

Following the Milky Way

The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage route across Spain leading to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Many believe that the cathedral there houses the remains of the apostle St. James. I have walked three different routes to Santiago, in 2001, 2003 and 2009. A friend recently asked me to try to sum up the experience:

"Sunshine, virtually no rain (in August), joy, blisters, laughter, tears, snoring (in refugios). Kindness, friendship, aching limbs, tiredness. Wonderful landscapes, modern windmills, cows, sheep, acorns beneath your feet, birdsong, the sound of water and of cow bells. Traffic swishing past, sometimes uncomfortably close; car horns honking to encourage you onward. Celtic music blaring from speakers in grey-stone Santiago. A babble of languages, wonderful dinners (pulpo, caldo gallego, pimentos, Santiago cake) and some not-so wonderful ones. Good wine, red and white. Rediscovery, renewal. A sense of loss when it's over. Fulfillment."