My Way to Santiago
Lessons I Learned from the Camino de Santiago
Image by A.M. Evans ©
Originally published 07/13/2013 (5 days after I reached Santiago). Updated 07/11/2020
I’m still processing a lot after the long journey, but here are some of the lessons the Camino taught me:
1. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR INTENTIONS ARE IN DOING THE CAMINO, SOMEHOW SPIRIT HAS A DIFFERENT AGENDA FOR YOU. I always thought I would be doing the Camino to heal. I went there with cracks wide open. The Camino broke me pretty hard. And when I reached Santiago, to offer my broken pieces, they were grounded into smaller, grain of sand pieces. Spirit’s way of saying, “How about we start all over again?”
2. PACIENCIA, MI HIJA! MUY PACIENCIA. Along with…TRANQUILA, CHICKA! Virtues I never acquired. I figured when these virtues were scattered in the Universe, I was sleeping in some comfy cloud somewhere.
3. WHEN YOU’RE AT YOUR WIT’S END; WHEN ALL YOUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EVEN SPIRITUAL RESOURCES ARE DEPLETED, DON'T DESPAIR, GLORY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. The worst part was walking the last 3 miles to Santiago. 3 miles from the town entrance to the Cathedral. After a mile, I was cursing all the saints and screaming, "St. James and his minions are f***ng sadistic bast**ds when they made this f***g pilgrimage. And I'm just a f***g masochistic wh**re. I just want my f***g Compostela!" (Umm… you got the point, LOL). Told you Patience and Calmness are not on my list of virtues ;-)
4. ALLOW YOURSELF TO BREAK. Don’t hold it in. It will just hurt more.
On one of the sanctuaries on the road to Santiago was this note and picture. Image by A.M. Evans©
5. HELP WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE WHEN YOU NEED THEM. And they will be given to you in unexpected ways.
This Spanish elderly handed me this feather during my hike. He gave me HOPE that I could get through this. Image by A.M Evans©
6. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE POSITIVE ALL THE TIME BUT AT LEAST TRY NOT TO THINK NEGATIVE. Stay neutral. Whatever is meant to happen will happen.
Image by A.M. Evans ©
7.THERE’S A TIME FOR EVERYTHING. Walking the Camino gave me the chance to have time to be alone and reflect and time to socialize and meet different people. Time to see the beauty and time to breakdown. Both times, I have gained a lot of knowledge.
Chillin’ at Casa Rectoral de Lestedo. Image by A.M. Evans ©
8. MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND KEEP THE GOOD ONES. I have met some awesome people during the Camino. We have each other’s numbers and will be keeping in touch with them. Also, my tour staff was the most awesome tour guides I ever had. They checked on me every day and made sure I was taken care of. I sent a bouquet of roses to their office in Scotland as an expression of gratitude.
My Belgian girls! Image by A.M. Evans ©
9.GRATITUDE. No matter how difficult the task was, I’ve learned to say a word of gratitude or find gratitude in the beauty that surrounds me.
The mountain tops of O’ Cebreiro with the mist looked like floating islands. Image by A.M. Evans ©
10. APPRECIATE AND CELEBRATE TINY LITTLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. A mile is just a mile unless you’re walking under a 100-degree scorching sun. A mile is a battle won when you’re at the Camino.
The 100 km mark! To be able to acquire a Compostela, one needs to walk at least 100 km. Image by A.M. Evans ©
11. GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT FOR WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. No matter how small.
12. CELEBRATE & INDULGE. Just because you are doing your soul work does not mean you deprive yourself of the gastronomical fare of the region, the wonderful dinner with other peregrinos, and the benefits of a much-needed massage.
Melide’s specialty: Pulpo (octopus) at Pulpería Ezequiel
Image by A.M. Evans ©
13. APPRECIATE YOUR ROOTS. The Camino, having it’s Catholic and Christian foundation is for all people of all faiths and spirituality. In spite of my differing spiritual path, I have my Catholic foundations, and I found profound peace kneeling in front of the Holy Host, attending the Pilgrim’s Mass, and taking the Holy Communion.
Praying on my knees in front of the “Galician Holy Grail'‘— the chalice and paten at Santa María la Real Do Cebreiro. Image by A.M. Evans ©
14.THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE. In moments of despair, the Universe always has a way of sending me signs that everything will be okay.
Image by A.M. Evans ©
15. I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH SUPPORT I’VE HAD. My husband was so wonderful answering my phone calls and texts even at 3 in the morning. My kids have been really supportive. Morgan’s text messages where I draw strength from. And all of my friends and family, even grade school, high school, college, childhood friends, work friends, church friends were cheering me on. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I WOULDN’T HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT YOU.
16. SOMEDAY I WILL WRITE ABOUT MY CAMINO EXPERIENCE. - Update: After 7 years, still processing.
17. THE CAMINO DOES NOT END IN SANTIAGO. IT STARTS IN SANTIAGO. AND SO MY JOURNEY BEGINS...
Image by A.M. Evans ©
