Not what i hoped for, more than i expected

[jonchunk]

So my camino was cut short after 11 or so days. I truly lost track. I had to desperately get back home to take care of personal family matters. In the short time on the camino, I had allowed myself to be consumed by what it had to offer on my journey of self reflection. I can honestly say I've met some of the most beautiful, honest, and genuine people in my 50 yrs of living on this earth. I had experienced the lowest lows in my life, and at the same time, some of the most comforting emotional embraces that I've ever known. I believe this experience will help me be a better person moving forward in this life. A brief interaction with a gentleman named francesco at casa leon near belorado allowed me to realize that if you open your heart and eyes, people (even strangers) can help you change for the better. My only advice, if you find yourself "doing" the camino 5 times, you may be doing it for adventure or exercise, and that is ok. I didn't even need to complete the camino once to realize how much it has to offer. Don't worry about the race to the destination to get your stamp saying you've completed the camino de compostela. Think about the truest words I've heard about the camino from a gentleman named steve, It's the journey my friend, not the destination!
Buen Camino

 

[Anamya]

It can indeed be a life changing experience. Hope all is ok at home, and that you have a good camino wherever life takes you

 

[Botaivica]

So my camino was cut short after 11 or so days. I truly lost track. I had to desperately get back home to take care of personal family matters. In the short time on the camino, I had allowed myself to be consumed by what it had to offer on my journey of self reflection. I can honestly say I've met some of the most beautiful, honest, and genuine people in my 50 yrs of living on this earth. I had experienced the lowest lows in my life, and at the same time, some of the most comforting emotional embraces that I've ever known. I believe this experience will help me be a better person moving forward in this life. A brief interaction with a gentleman named francesco at casa leon near belorado allowed me to realize that if you open your heart and eyes, people (even strangers) can help you change for the better. My only advice, if you find yourself "doing" the camino 5 times, you may be doing it for adventure or exercise, and that is ok. I didn't even need to complete the camino once to realize how much it has to offer. Don't worry about the race to the destination to get your stamp saying you've completed the camino de compostela. Think about the truest words I've heard about the camino from a gentleman named steve, It's the journey my friend, not the destination!
Buen Camino

the true spirit of the Camino

 

[C clearly]

I had allowed myself to be consumed by what it had to offer

This is a very nice way to put it, and I'm glad you were able to do that in such a personally satisfying way. I also hope all is well with your family.

if you find yourself "doing" the camino 5 times, you may be doing it for adventure or exercise, and that is ok.

Maybe, but there is no reason why, on repeat caminos, you can't still allow yourself to be consumed by what it has to offer. It offers something different each time. I expect you'll be back!

None of my caminos were dramatically transformational, but I think I learn something for the better, each time.