What does it mean to go on a Camino or pilgrimage today in these modern times?

A pilgrimage is traditionally a journey or travel, typically of a considerable distance, that holds significant religious, spiritual, or cultural importance for the person undertaking it, and is to a sacred place. The purpose was (and can still be) to seek spiritual growth, enlightenment, fulfilment of vows, penance, or a deeper connection with self and the divine.

Today, there is also a great trend towards being a SPIRITUAL TRAVELLER. That is, to travel intentionally with a desire to seek fulfilling and meaningful adventure. To be more of a gracious, grateful, light-footed adventurer than a mindless consumer. This traveller seeks rejuvenation from routine, reconnection with themselves, people and sacred, beautiful places steeped in nature.

Pilgrimages can be individual or collective, and they often involve rituals, prayers and reflection along the way. This is what we love tapping into on a Soul Of My Feet adventure. We live in very busy, productivity-driven times and the Camino is an antidote to always being “switched on”. Our minds and bodies enter a lovely rhythm as we walk long distances. We start to create space for ourselves, our thoughts, insights, healing, transformation and rejuvenation. We rewire our nervous systems over long distances. We are squarely in the present moment and having friends to share the challenges and the beauty with is just priceless. 

On a Soul Of My Feet Camino, we take time to interact with the local people and we delight in giving small tokens of appreciation from home to those we come across that serve or care for us in some way. We try to be respectful: we are the visitors in a foreign land and we want to leave a good impression so we are welcome back. We learn so much and receive so much joy in return.

A GREAT joy is our sharing circles, where we take time to reflect on the day and our lives. How walking across these lands together makes us feel and how it inspires us to be better human beings. We write poems. We make art. We journal.

THE SHARED NATURE OF THE JOURNEY MULTIPLIES OUR JOY.

We also like to make this journey a celebration of life, with a touch of RIZZ (romantic appeal) like the addition of high tea, self care, sharing circles and savouring regional dishes and drinks in fabulous settings.

Our biggest piece of advice is to be open to the journey unfolding. Don’t hold on too tightly to preconceived ideas or fear. It was always going to be A HEROINE’S JOURNEY with a few obstacles to surmount. BE OUTRAGEOUSLY OPEN to what presents, and you will be pleasantly surprised, even amazed and thrilled. THIS IS OUR WISH FOR YOU on your modern day Camino. Place value in everyone in the group, and accept everyone’s uniqueness and differences. We have found this to be the glue for connection and a magical joint adventure. It is amazing how this mindset serves to bond us and create forever friends from the sacred road.

A TYPICAL DAY ON CAMINO

• Wake fairly early. Where possible we will leave at dawn to beat the heat, unless we have breakfast booked at our hotel or there are no options along the way.
• Pack clothes maybe drying from night before. We may often have to hand wash clothes or find a laundrette. This is your responsibility. Sometimes Sylvie and I will offer to gather everyone’s clothes and do a big communal machine wash.
• Fill water bladder/ bottles. Tap water is usually just fine but we also often buy bottled water to fill up with.
• Meet fellow walkers for “hands in the ring” to greet and bless our day!
• Start walking. “I am here. I am here.” Wow to everything and everyone I meet.
• Have breakfast after 1-2 hours of walking, in a little village. (Other days enjoy buffet breakfast at hotel before setting out.)
• Walk in wonder, chat, dream, marvel, stop for a snack or rest, drink in the scenery and every encounter. If we walk into a village we normally stop for a coffee/ snack/ refreshments.
• Arrive at accommodation by lunchtime or soon after. Let’s try avoid afternoon heat.
• Gather dirty clothes for a group wash of clothes in a washing machine OR hand wash in the event of no machine!
• Shower or bath (bliss!!)
• Hang, dry laundry.
• Yoga stretches.
• Go explore the town, shop for small souvenirs, chat to the locals OR rest.
• Settle in a cosy cafe with the girls. Journal about the day or chat to everyone in sight!
• Sharing circle every other day when possible to share the day’s events and emotions with each other and fun activities to deepen the experience of being here.
• Gorgeous dinner and drinks in a corner of the world you have walked into by foot with new friends to share it with. Amazing.
• Sleep. Ah sleep. Ready to repeat again and again!!

LET THE CAMINO EXPERIENCE CHANGE YOU IN WONDERFUL WAYS. TAKE IT BACK HOME AND INTO YOUR EVERY DAY.

BUEN CAMINO, WHEREVER YOU CHOOSE TO GO ON THE ROAD OF LIFE, BEAUTIFUL ONE!