Why the Camino?

Welcome to my site. I walked a portion of the Camino in 2011 and have been enamored ever since. Now, I’m heading back there and this time, I will have a spiritual journal with me. My very own, that I’m in the process of creating as we “speak.”

For my first Camino, I was rushed and had difficulty finding resources. I didn’t have time to buy and read a bunch of books, I just needed something that I could quickly access, print out, and bring with me. My life was so busy that I had difficulty even finding time to order our maps, and in fact, they didn’t arrive in time.

This time around, I have time to order the maps. I even have time to read some books. But I still want to create a journal for others, in case they find themselves in the same predicament that I did.

I know that not everyone does this for spiritual reasons. However, I saw the Camino as an opportunity to really strengthen and grow in my relationship with God, and you could say my dreams in that came true. I wasn’t suddenly a saint, or some holy person, I was a very ordinary person who felt closer to God.

Now I am training for my next Camino, this time the Portuguese route. This time, I’m giving myself closer to twelve weeks to prepare (as opposed to four). My training program is very informal however: basically, if my friends are going for a walk and I’m available, I slip on my pack and join them. I’m amazed at how tiring these short walks are and wonder how on earth I managed to walk the Camino before with so little training.

There is a tradition of having Camino supporters, my friend Peter tells me. Perhaps they can’t go, and so you offer to take them, and in return, they offer you support. Having these friends for me here on these walks help make my training possible: for if they weren’t offering it up, I don’t think I’d be making the time for them. So thank you, my friends!