In the six months since my flight back from Spain to the United States, my mind has been swirling with reflections on my experiences on the Way to Santiago de Compostela. When I got home, I wondered if the 33-day 500-mile pilgrimage would trigger a big revelation or make a big life change if I returned to my life in Los Angeles, California.
Would I lace up my shoes and take a long walk every morning? Would I keep in touch with other pilgrims I met in France and Spain? Or would I come back into my life pretending that nothing ever happened?
Since my return, I have answered these questions and I have had a deeper insight into the lessons that the trip has meant for me and for many others who have traveled the Camino de Santiago.
What is the Camino de Santiago?
Before we start, let’s talk a little about the Camino de Santiago. Also known as the Camino de Santiago, it is a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the Sanctuary of the Apostle James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.
This historical pilgrimage, which dates back to the Middle Ages, attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world every year. Traditionally undertaken for religious reasons, modern pilgrims also go to the Camino for spiritual growth, adventure, and cultural exploration. The routes vary in length and difficulty, the most popular being the Camino Francés, which starts in St Jean Pied de Port in France and stretches for about 500 miles (800 kilometers).
Time passes more slowly when you leave
Walking on the Camino, you can cover a distance of five to twenty miles a day, which takes between five and eight hours. This is a striking contrast to everyday life at home, where we can drive, fly, or exercise.
When you leave, you travel more slowly. The result of the literally slower movement contributed to the feeling of having more time available.
I felt like I could see the passage of time. I noticed that the sun was setting at different times of the day, how the weather conditions changed and how the flowers bloomed as the days went by.
I learned that nothing stays the same. My daily routine kept repeating itself, but everything in the world continued to evolve, even in seemingly mundane moments.
You will never look at your feet the same way again
On the Way to St. James, my feet were overcome. It’s not just the blisters that have become a problem — it’s the effects of walking on hard surfaces, especially downhill.
I saw my feet swell up as if they had never swollen before. I saw my toes bleeding because of blisters that could be infected. And finally, I saw my feet heal.
I spent hours worrying, talking and, yes — complaining — about my feet. For the first time, I learned to take care of her.
I applied Vaseline on my toes and heels several times a day and I learned which type of fabric is the best to keep them cool and as dry as possible on high heat (it’s wool, by the way)!
I bandaged my feet, prayed for them and thanked them as they finally got stronger.
Your feet can take you to many places, but only if you take care of them along the way.
