Fulfilling the Dream: Walking the Camino de Santiago even if Virtually

 For years, manang Maria (@Malaya Hagiyo) had talked about walking the Camino de Santiago. The allure of traversing centuries-old trails, passing through picturesque landscapes, and connecting with fellow pilgrims from around the world was irresistible. It is more than a pilgrimage; it’s a journey of self-discovery, endurance, and spiritual awakening. My very good friend Maricel Harris and I share this desire to walk the Camino. We have not yet done this until now, because we are not yet fully prepared with enough resources. One day, we will.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. It is one of the most renowned pilgrimage routes in the world and has been traveled for over a thousand years by pilgrims seeking spiritual growth, enlightenment, or simply adventure.

The most famous route, the Camino Francés (French Way), starts in various locations across Europe, including Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, and spans approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) to Santiago de Compostela. It takes you 40 days to finish the journey if you walked at least 20 kilometers each day. However, there are multiple other routes originating from different parts of Spain and Europe, such as the Camino Portugués, the Camino del Norte, and the Camino Primitivo, among others.

Pilgrims from all walks of life and religious backgrounds undertake the Camino for various reasons, including religious devotion, cultural exploration, physical challenge, and personal reflection. Along the way, pilgrims pass through diverse landscapes, picturesque villages, historic sites, and encounter fellow travelers from around the world, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

The Camino de Santiago holds deep cultural and historical significance, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages when it was one of the three major Christian pilgrimages, alongside Rome and Jerusalem. Today, it continues to attract hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, each embarking on their own unique journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Since we have not yet been able to do this in reality, I did the virtual pilgrimage. It took me 152 days to accummulate the number of kilometers corresponding to the camino.  

I still look forward to doing walking the Camino de Santiago one day, alongside manang Maria, Maricel, and other friends who are up to the challenge.