People

Yesterday was the longest day on the Camino thus far, 30 kilometers, or 18.6 miles. It is hard to believe there was a time, not that long ago, when we used to walk all day to our destinations. We can still achieve it, and traveling by foot isn’t all bad.

The interesting thing about walking in large groups towards a common destination is that you can encounter some of the same people day after day and strike up conversations. I am always curious why people decide to do this trek. What are they hoping to find?

One gal from the UK had lost hope in people and thought walking the Camino would restore her belief that people are good. Another gal from California had lost three loved ones and her dog in the past 18 months and wanted to find healing. A retired anesthesiologist lost his wife a few years ago and walks the Camino for the community; this is his fourth time.

The Camino draws people from all walks of life, from all over the world, from teenagers to 80 plus. They are people looking for companionship, a sense of accomplishment, a spiritual experience, a vacation, and anything else you can think of. The reasons that bring people to walk el Camino are endless. I pray they all find what they were looking for.

Tomorrow I will arrive in Santiago, and my journey will be complete.

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of days.