Why do we walk the Camino de Santiago?

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Ivar Rekve — 26 Comments ↓

The question was:

First an unexpected leave from my job, then some money arrived that I had not expected, and the next thing I knew I was booking airfares to Paris and train tickets to St. Jean. I was wondering how others initially found and walked the Camino. My personal point of view is that there are no accidental pilgrims, but that’s just me. How about you?

Read this interesting conversation on why we walk the Camino de Santiago here.

Tagged with: Why we walk
Posted in From the Camino de Santiago forum

Montarsha

Very similar to you, I was in the right place at the right time and had the cash. It has so much going for it; Beautiful countryside, historical significance, it’s a relatively inexpensive, it’s a rare opportunity to be totally free from the distractions of our busy lives, and the list goes on. But, mainly, my reason is the satisfaction of completeing such a mammoth journey on my own two feet. That will be priceless.
David

I have not walked the Camino de Santiago, but I will be shortly. I think I have experienced burn out with my job, and have a feeling of disillusionment and a deep desire to run away from this situation. I cannot understate the importance of this walk to me now. I hope I may find something in the journey.
- Emmett
  
  Wait until the feeling comes upon you on one of the paths. My wife and I walk it in Sept.-Oct. 2011 took us 44 days. I am 62 years old and have never felt more alive and free at any other time in my life. What an experience and journey of a lifetime
  - David
    
    I am really looking forward to it and I will try to keep my mind open to what feelings may come upon me on my path. I am reasonably young but I love the idea of taking 44 days… I will pass your message onto my father he is the same age and wondering whether he could do it!
    - http://www.facebook.com/gaamundsen Grace Amundsen
      
      I took 90, but we walked from Seville, then a contrari to Fatima, which is a bit longer than standard. I found a lot on my journey, and hope you have as awesome an experience as I had. I hope to do it again someday.
- http://profile.yahoo.com/JTGNTYEKCVZD4RWWMK7WHENHVY Clara B
  
  Hey David,
  Ditto here … I will begin mine in August …. First trip too … hoping to find some answers too .. being in the job too long …
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000699994198 David Reynolds
    
    You’re both going to have an amazing time. If you are at all spiritual, keep a heart open to God, and look to find beauty in moments.
    I did mine a little over a year ago and it was more than I had hoped.
    Buen Camino my brother and sister!
Ivhdoek

My life took a turn when my son passed away 2 years ago. From that day I knew I was going to walk the Camino- in his honour. I have resigned from my teaching job, and I am walking the Camino Primitivo with dear friend in July this year. This will be a life changing time for me and I am so positive about it.
Clara

Hmmmm … hoping for a real soul searching period .
ruddy

This is my first time posting. My writing skills are HORRIBLE so please forgive my grammar and vocabulary. I arrived from my first CAMINO on July 12th. And it still has not left me. I cant describe it, I cant explain it. All I can say is that I cant wait to go back and do it again. I have visited this site EVERYDAY since my return to read EVERYONES posts and comments. For some reason this site takes me back to the CAMINO. So I just wanted to stop by and say THANKS to ALL OF YOU ON THIS SITE. YOU and this website have made and continue to make me feel like I am still walking the CAMINO. Who knows, maybe in a later date I might build the courage to talk about WHY I DID MY CAMINO. Again thank you all.
Mary McMahon

My life was turned upside down, losing a job, significant other and home all in one fell swoop. Some of that was by choice but I feel like my life was erased and I need to start another. What better way to start than by walking the Camino? I am hoping to find clarity, peace and a sense of place…or just a nice walk. I start October 23rd. Less than two months. I am so excited.
- http://www.facebook.com/gaamundsen Grace Amundsen
  
  Best wishes! Buen Camino, peregrino!
Bob

Because I got drunk while watching The Way and before I knew it I’d told everyone I was going to do it. It has changed me though…agree with other posters that this i want to go back….but it could never be as good again. It is the people who make the way what it is. Good people
andyvi

Hi Mary, I’m planning on hiking the way in November. Have you done any planning in regards to the weather. I’ve not found good info on the temps and chance of rain.
http://www.facebook.com/gaamundsen Grace Amundsen

My moment was walking with a friend at 2am to watch the Northern Lights at -40. We ducked into a shelter to warm up, and got on the topic of places we could be instead. By the next morning, we’d booked plane tickets, and talked a good friend into walking with us. It was the most spontaneous decision I’ve ever made, and the one I’m the most proud of.
virag

First I thought it will be a sport challenge…on the way I found the spiritual side of the way…and now I cannot explain why but the second camino is already planned.
Marilou

About 2013 I was vacation planningI when I stumbled across you web site & as I read I felt commitment to take the challege solidify in my very being – I was not able to participate due to chemo and the time it took to rebuild myself physically but the commitment never left – I knew I was going – I am 64 I ahve my plane tickets for mid May & have made some reservations – It is now I shall walk the Camino de Santiago!!! I am excited to be alive to be able to participate in such a glorious experience – Hope to see some of you along my path <3 Marilou
p.saffrie

I always used to say “we are the pilgrims master we always go further. Then a few years ago on a training in France I walked a small part of the camino and the trainer explained what the camino was. Last year my dauchter started to talk about the camino. Then I was hit by the song of the Proclaimers (500miles) and the movie “The Way” finally did the job. Add it all up and you see that I must go. Stuck in my brain
niel capasso

i walk the Camino because it’s a sense of freedom. i enjoy the open space and the serenity..and much more that cannot be explained.
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Ricardo Ignacio

This probably sound crazy but I want to do this for long
time I heard about El Camino for years, for some reason we group op and work,
family, bills and many other things in life get in mi way and I forget about El
Camino, after mi oldest son past away in 2007 I’m tried to fiend the way to get
back on track whit mi life, I ended loosing mi job twice we probably loose the
house, I don’t know how I am to do El Camino or went but I felt that this is probably
a good way to clear mi mind an spend some time by mi self, nature and of course
whit my son probably let him go this way, I don’t know.
Patty

I walked the Camino in Fall of 2012…230 miles. I had seen my 70th birthday come and go and felt myself becoming an old woman..losing confidence, not wanting to get out of my comfort zone. Doing a long walk had always been my dream. I knew if I didn’t do it now, I never would and I would forever regret it. Up until then I had not been East of Colorado or on a plane for more than 4 hours. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m now planning my second Camino for May 2014 and this time I’ll do the entire route and celebrate my 72nd birthday while walking. Why am I doing it again other than I feel like I’ve left something unfinished? Can’t explain the pull of the Camino. I just know it’s a part of me and always will be.
le chemin

WHY NOT??
Zuzana Valachová

I’m planing my way in summer 2013. I’ll walk because I’m searching for meaning of my life. I need to find myself, my tao through life and courage to live on. I’m coward lost in my own little world I created for myself as a result of running away from my solitude and loss. It is time to start fighting for my life.
PS: I dont like The Way movie, but I love the music.
bent dk

I ” suddenly ” had the time – left the workforce at 70 and had all “– the time in the world ” . being at good health – why not walk from Copenhagen to Rome !!!

Well surfing the net for info I soon realised just the stay would cost a fortune.

but then the camino – pop up – that was another ballgame !! – and cheap accommodation-food, and others have of`course ad to the success of the Camino

now at 74 I am setting of for the portugal route

The ultimate camino must be from the – most grand – cathedral – Nidaros in Norway to Santiago de Copostalla – but when average stay in norvay – denmark and north germany is round 50 euros and the food matching even our goldcard or my black card will be streched to much.
have , you dear reader walked it, share you experience.
bon camino
digger5

Over hundreds of years many thousands of pilgrims have walked the Camino looking for answers. I’m not sure what the questions are yet, but I want to own the pilgrim experience to feel and see and touch what so many others have.
Pep

Done it last summer, it is and will be one the best memories of my life. I felt alive, one with the world and with the pilgrims in pain and in faith. Ultreïa, God bless you all.

Why do we walk the Camino de Santiago?

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