A story of the Camino -"My Camino Dream"

[Iain McKie]

The Camino seemed to find me at a time in my life that I wasn't so happy. Loneliness, depression and alcohol had wrapped their ever so loving arms around me and the light at the end of the tunnel was very dim indeed. I had read the Alchemist years back so sent of for more of Paulo's books and the pilgrimage was one that arrived. No idea what it was about till I grasped it one night and wandered into a hotel bar and read the back cover. The girl bartender noticed it and started to tell me how she had done the Camino the year before. I had never heard of it. Watch a movie called "the way" she said and that night after many drinks I watched the movie. The seed had been sowed and got on with life. I quit drinking not long after that and for the next couple of months started to see life through eyes that were enjoying every little thing that they were focused on. I started an art course as I'd never tried but while not good I loved it. On the run up to Christmas 2015 I was finding myself buy little items such as good walking boots and clothes. The Camino was a dream in the back of my mind that would not stop popping up to caress my thoughts with you need to go. A friend had been on a beech one day and found a shell and gave it to me. A scallop shell and it had sat in front on my TV for about 8 months and before I had heard about the Camino and now it was like a reminder to me every day now and so in late January 2016 I decided I was going. Well I was buying things and talking about to.... myself. I set off from Scotland on the 24th Feb 2016 to walk the Camino Frances. I hadn't read the book nor could I remember the movie and I didn't plan where I'd get to other than day 1. It was all going to be new. 5 weeks I walked and every day I wrote a blog about the most incredible experience I've ever had in my life. The people, my thoughts and a million other things that the Camino delivers to you on an hourly and daily basis. I learned a lot about myself and about walking the Camino.

Update

This is my book that I wrote about my journey http://www.lulu.com/shop/iain-mckie/my-camino-dream/paperback/product-23432301.html

I'd be more than happy to talk or answer any questions anyone may have. My advice if your thinking about it. Just do it. You'll learn along the Way. As always thanks St James(I'm not highly religious but this guy was thanked every day and still is) and of course Buen Camino

 

[Waka]

Wonderful and open post, thanks for sharing.

 

[maisenza13]

What a nice story.

I need to make important choices in life, I'm 25 and it is an age of decisions , Im thinking to make the Camino in the future months with my mom, i think it can help me to make the choice i really need!

 

[Iain McKie]

Wonderful and open post, thanks for sharing.

Thank you, it's hard to share sometimes and the Camino in its own way thought me

 

[Iain McKie]

What a nice story.

I need to make important choices in life, I'm 25 and it is an age of decisions , Im thinking to make the Camino in the future months with my mom, i think it can help me to make the choice i really need!

I smiled at that your turning 25, I hated my 25th birthday as I felt it was now or never. Go on the camino. Don't forget it's your Camino though even if your mom is there. You have made me smile as 25 is an incredible age. As are all ages. Go find you

 

[jmcarp]

What a nice story.

I need to make important choices in life, I'm 25 and it is an age of decisions , Im thinking to make the Camino in the future months with my mom, i think it can help me to make the choice i really need!

Like Nike--not the Greek goddess one--says: Just do it!

 

[jmcarp]

The Camino seemed to find me at a time in my life that I wasn't so happy. Loneliness, depression and alcohol had wrapped their ever so loving arms around me and the light at the end of the tunnel was very dim indeed. I had read the Alchemist years back so sent of for more of Paulo's books and the pilgrimage was one that arrived. No idea what it was about till I grasped it one night and wandered into a hotel bar and read the back cover. The girl bartender noticed it and started to tell me how she had done the Camino the year before. I had never heard of it. Watch a movie called "the way" she said and that night after many drinks I watched the movie. The seed had been sowed and got on with life. I quit drinking not long after that and for the next couple of months started to see life through eyes that were enjoying every little thing that they were focused on. I started an art course as I'd never tried but while not good I loved it. On the run up to Christmas 2015 I was finding myself buy little items such as good walking boots and clothes. The Camino was a dream in the back of my mind that would not stop popping up to caress my thoughts with you need to go. A friend had been on a beech one day and found a shell and gave it to me. A scallop shell and it had sat in front on my TV for about 8 months and before I had heard about the Camino and now it was like a reminder to me every day now and so in late January 2016 I decided I was going. Well I was buying things and talking about to.... myself. I set off from Scotland on the 24th Feb 2016 to walk the Camino Frances. I hadn't read the book nor could I remember the movie and I didn't plan where I'd get to other than day 1. It was all going to be new. 5 weeks I walked and every day I wrote a blog about the most incredible experience I've ever had in my life. The people, my thoughts and a million other things that the Camino delivers to you on an hourly and daily basis. I learned a lot about myself and about walking the Camino. This is my blog http://caminoiain.blogspot.co.uk/ which inonly read myself for the first time two days ago. I'd be more than happy to talk or answer any questions anyone may have. My advice if your thinking about it. Just do it. You'll learn along the Way. As always thanks St James(I'm not highly religious but this guy was thanked every day and still is) and of course Buen Camino

My Camino Dream

A wonderful post, Iain. Thanks for sharing your personal struggles, and the effect of your Camino on your life. I'm sure it will inspire others who face similar issues. It was not lost on me the subtle hints, like the gift of the scallop shell, that led you to make your decision. Ultreia!

 

[Iain McKie]

Thank you .

 

[MTtoCamino]

Thank you for sharing this, the testimony of human struggles is what the Camino is all about. I wish you well on the years going forward.
Keith

 

[Annie Little]

Thank you, it's hard to share sometimes and the Camino in its own way thought me

Never be afraid to share ..... Many will identify with all your experiences .... It struck a cord with me .... It takes courage to be open ....

ULTREIA
Anne ..... Walking to Pamplona today

 

[Iain McKie]

Thank you Anne and enjoy your walk into Pamplona today. It's an incredible city. Buen Camino

 

[Iain McKie]

Thank you for sharing this, the testimony of human struggles is what the Camino is all about. I wish you well on the years going forward.
Keith

Thank you. The Camino is great for the soul and mind

 

[Waka]

Have you started planning your next one yet?

 

[maisenza13]

I smiled at that your turning 25, I hated my 25th birthday as I felt it was now or never. Go on the camino. Don't forget it's your Camino though even if your mom is there. You have made me smile as 25 is an incredible age. As are all ages. Go find you

Ok i'll take your advice, thank you very much Iain!

 

[maisenza13]

Like Nike--not the Greek goddess one--says: Just do it!

Thank you, i love there is so much enthusiasm about this experience, it makes me so curious, can't wait till next year