1st camino completed - June 22nd 2016

[Angie94]

I arrived in Santiago a couple of days ago and have finished my walk. I am so happy and grateful to God that I was able to physically finish. It was much harder than I anticipated but was fortunate that I didn't sustain injury or encounter circumstances that prevent me from reaching Santiago. I have very mixed emotions about what I experienced but hesitate to go into that here as each person's journey is quite personal. I saw some amazing things that I will never forget and I met some incredible people from all over the world that will be with me in my memories for a long time. Can't say I fully understand why I felt compelled to do the Camino but maybe more will be revealed as life unfolds. I had no expectations and do not feel disappointed, except maybe a tad bit with all of the commercialism ( especially in Santiago) in connection with the Camino - but I can understand why it is so.
I can say that I overcame a lot of fears and anxieties and I believe God provided me with a lot of help through the people I met on the Camino. There were some synchronicity's that occurred that even the people I met and walked with were quite surprised by. It definitely gave me the feeling that I wasn't walking "alone" - not on the Camino nor in life. My plan was always to walk on to Finisterre but once I arrived in Santiago I realized I was done walking. The friends I met along the way when ahead and went on to Finisterre and I stayed here in Santiago and rested up. I did not feel compelled to keep walking, and surprisingly feel quite OK with that decision.
The Pilgrim house is a wonderful place and I am glad I went there. Also I met Ivar when I picked up my package and he is a very friendly gentleman and helpful.
Thank you to everyone on this form who encouraged me and offered me tips, suggestions and help in order for me to make this journey. I am grateful for the help you offered. I would not have been able to do this without it. I will follow up with more when I get back home and post some of my pictures. I will never forget the things that I have been fortunate enough to see and experience in this beautiful country.
(Picture is at the office where I received my compostela)

 

[VNwalking]

Heartfelt congratulations, Angie...After that 'interesting' start you did it! Well done.
And yes...it may take some time to understand what happened, what it was all really about. It can take a while for that to integrate and come clear.
In the meantime, knowing you worked through fear and anxiety is no small thing at all! To say nothing about walking clear across Spain. I guarantee you'll never see a map of Southern Europe the same again!

 

[wayfarer]

Congratulation and well done Angie.
Buen Camino for all the roads ahead.

 

[Juanajoanna]

Congratulations. Glad you had a good trip. Your pack looks huge and heavy.

 

[Giselleontour]

Congratulations Angie. You will never forget your WAY and your way is going on - this time going on from the way of St. James....

 

[Robo]

Well done Angie and congratulations!

 

[Stewpot]

Well done Angie. When you say "first one" do you mean there will be others? Never say never

 

[Introibo]

Congratulations Angie

 

[Rupe]

I arrived in Santiago a couple of days ago and have finished my walk. I am so happy and grateful to God that I was able to physically finish. It was much harder than I anticipated but was fortunate that I didn't sustain injury or encounter circumstances that prevent me from reaching Santiago. I have very mixed emotions about what I experienced but hesitate to go into that here as each person's journey is quite personal. I saw some amazing things that I will never forget and I met some incredible people from all over the world that will be with me in my memories for a long time. Can't say I fully understand why I felt compelled to do the Camino but maybe more will be revealed as life unfolds. I had no expectations and do not feel disappointed, except maybe a tad bit with all of the commercialism ( especially in Santiago) in connection with the Camino - but I can understand why it is so.
I can say that I overcame a lot of fears and anxieties and I believe God provided me with a lot of help through the people I met on the Camino. There were some synchronicity's that occurred that even the people I met and walked with were quite surprised by. It definitely gave me the feeling that I wasn't walking "alone" - not on the Camino nor in life. My plan was always to walk on to Finisterre but once I arrived in Santiago I realized I was done walking. The friends I met along the way when ahead and went on to Finisterre and I stayed here in Santiago and rested up. I did not feel compelled to keep walking, and surprisingly feel quite OK with that decision.
The Pilgrim house is a wonderful place and I am glad I went there. Also I met Ivar when I picked up my package and he is a very friendly gentleman and helpful.
Thank you to everyone on this form who encouraged me and offered me tips, suggestions and help in order for me to make this journey. I am grateful for the help you offered. I would not have been able to do this without it. I will follow up with more when I get back home and post some of my pictures. I will never forget the things that I have been fortunate enough to see and experience in this beautiful country.
(Picture is at the office where I received my compostela)

Congrats Angie...cant wait to experience the Camino myself. I guess my question to you is...would you do it again?

 

[Angie94]

No, for me this Camino was very fulfilling and I don't think I would do it again, although I can understand why people would. I actually met a couple who ran Albergue and she had done the Camino 10 times and he had done it eight times! Although they did not do the Camino together - probably why they're still married! Ha ha!

 

[Carol06]

You arrived the same day as us. Isn't it wonderful? Buen Camino. I have just been to the a pilgrim House and left a shell for Denise. Apparently Rebekah Scott had just collected the rest of the shells. Can anyone tell me what she is going to do with them?

 

[movinmaggie]

Well done Angie. Will look forward to more of your 'reflections' on this amazing experience.

 

[Castilian]

Congratulations, Angie! But don't think you are done with the Camino! You have now to digest the experience(s) what may be even more enriching than the walk itself.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Well done Angie! You look so strong in that photo at the Pilgrim Office.

So glad that the rest of your Camino went well. Synchronicity can be quite amazing when it occurs... it makes the Way seem to 'flow'...

Wishing you a safe and easy journey home and all the time to absorb your experiences.

Go Well

 

[mcopeland]

You arrived the same day as us. Isn't it wonderful? Buen Camino. I have just been to the a pilgrim House and left a shell for Denise. Apparently Rebekah Scott had just collected the rest of the shells. Can anyone tell me what she is going to do with them?

We arrived on the same day, took one look at the line and decided to come back in the morning. I'm not sure we would have recognized you (nor you us). I was exhausted. We should have kept in touch. We too did not want to walk to Finisterre but took the bus out and back yesterday.

 

[willydp]

Well done Angie!
Now you deserve a good physical and spiritual rest.
Slowly pick up "normal" life, reconnect again ...

 

[GettingThere]

Congratulations Angie!!

 

[domigee]

No, for me this Camino was very fulfilling and I don't think I would do it again, although I can understand why people would. I actually met a couple who ran Albergue and she had done the Camino 10 times and he had done it eight times! Although they did not do the Camino together - probably why they're still married! Ha ha!

Never say never I LOVED walking my first camino, met someone who was walking for the 3rd time and...couldn't quite understand WHY anyone would do this....
Mmmm.
I have walked a Camino every year since
Congratulations

 

[Debora]

I arrived in Santiago a couple of days ago and have finished my walk. I am so happy and grateful to God that I was able to physically finish. It was much harder than I anticipated but was fortunate that I didn't sustain injury or encounter circumstances that prevent me from reaching Santiago. I have very mixed emotions about what I experienced but hesitate to go into that here as each person's journey is quite personal. I saw some amazing things that I will never forget and I met some incredible people from all over the world that will be with me in my memories for a long time. Can't say I fully understand why I felt compelled to do the Camino but maybe more will be revealed as life unfolds. I had no expectations and do not feel disappointed, except maybe a tad bit with all of the commercialism ( especially in Santiago) in connection with the Camino - but I can understand why it is so.
I can say that I overcame a lot of fears and anxieties and I believe God provided me with a lot of help through the people I met on the Camino. There were some synchronicity's that occurred that even the people I met and walked with were quite surprised by. It definitely gave me the feeling that I wasn't walking "alone" - not on the Camino nor in life. My plan was always to walk on to Finisterre but once I arrived in Santiago I realized I was done walking. The friends I met along the way when ahead and went on to Finisterre and I stayed here in Santiago and rested up. I did not feel compelled to keep walking, and surprisingly feel quite OK with that decision.
The Pilgrim house is a wonderful place and I am glad I went there. Also I met Ivar when I picked up my package and he is a very friendly gentleman and helpful.
Thank you to everyone on this form who encouraged me and offered me tips, suggestions and help in order for me to make this journey. I am grateful for the help you offered. I would not have been able to do this without it. I will follow up with more when I get back home and post some of my pictures. I will never forget the things that I have been fortunate enough to see and experience in this beautiful country.
(Picture is at the office where I received my compostela)

I finished June 1st and had mixed feelings as well. I will tell you this...I think 33 days was a little too long for me because I'm somewhat of a home body and that came out loud and clear the 2 weeks. Now that I'm home, I look back on the experience with longing to do it again (but a different route and for only two weeks)...and to be honest that is a complete surprise to me. Your memories will come to you a little at a time and in a very sweet way. Welcome home.

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Hi @Angie94,

I'm so happy you shared this with us. I concur completely with your initial post. I finished 06-11-2016 and felt the same way.

Darn it, I could not find "Pilgrim House" ... (nor @ivar!) but, that's because my guidebook with notes went missing.

Then, I was thinking just like your 2nd post all the way home...'satisfied'. Yet, after a short while I realized that I would indeed make another Camino BUT...only on MY terms and my plan because, I ended up as part of a group (apart from God's intercession, which I'm open to ).

Bottom line is, I'm so very happy that you got to make this Camino!

May God continue to richly bless you...
Tina

 

[Camino sisters]

Congratulations Angie, so pleased for you!
My sister and I leave Melbourne for our first Camino on 21st September. Very excited but very nervous too!
All the very best to you Angie, Hilary and Caroline