Camino Frances 2023

Eight years had elapsed since I walked my first Camino in 2015. Many people had asked me why I wanted to walk the Camino again after all these years. The truth is, ever since I completed my first Camino all those years ago, I have not been able to get it out of my mind. Nearly every day since, I’ve dreamt about walking the Camino again. Turning 50 this year and finally being free of student loan debt, it felt like the right moment to embark upon this journey. The Camino was calling.

The Camino does something to you that I’m still not able to put into words. It’s not been a deeply profound change, at least not for me, but a subtle shift in my mindset, on my perspective on life. As I get older, I realize that what I treasure most is time, more specifically freedom to control my own time (as time is a precious commodity). I crave life experiences rather than material things.

Walking on average 20 miles a day for 30 days with nothing more than a pack on my back, provides a sense of wanderlust, curiosity, purpose and simplicity — the day’s goal being no more than getting from point A to point B and finding a place to rest your head for the evening. And then doing it all over the next day. Being out in nature makes me feel alive. Every day is a new adventure, whether walking through ancient stone villages, big cities, farmland, or fields of nothingness for kilometers on end. My feet tracing the same path that has been travelled for thousands of years.

While I walk a lot in general, I didn’t train per se for the Camino. I did not put my pack on until I departed for Europe. However, the Camino makes you realize how resilient the body is. After a week or so of aches and pains, especially after trekking up the Pyrenees and a blister or two, my body felt strong and energetic. You get to the point where you walk 15 miles and it feels like a rest day. Pretty amazing.

I’ve met an array of wonderful people along the way. Some who simply made me laugh and whenever I think about them, will forever chuckle to myself. I hope that some remain in my life, or perhaps, will see again on a future Camino (yes, I’ve already starting planning my next Camino).

While the Camino is not all sunshine and butterflies (literally walked for days in heavy rain and wind), there is something magical about it that one must experience for themselves (if they get the opportunity). For me, the hardest part of the Camino is coming home. There is a bit of post-Camino sadness, a longing to return. But, I’ll always have the memories and the hundreds (and hundreds) of photos I took along the way to keep those memories alive.

This journey started on October 3, 2023 in Saint Jean Pied de Port, Basque Country, France…

BASQUE COUNTRY & NAVARRA

Day 1, Saint Jean Pied de Port, France — Over the Pyrenees — to Roncesvalles, Spain.

Walking over the Pyrenees…

Day 1 is definitely challenging. Lack of sleep from anticipation and anxiety and a good 4 hours of uphill climbing, but the walk over the Pyrenees may still be my favorite day on the Camino.

Hola España

No matter how many cows, sheep, goats, rams, etc. I came across, I couldn’t help myself, had to stop and take a photo or two (or three)…

Pilgrims from Scotland and Canada.

And Wales.

Pamplona

Oh the foie (and txakoli)…

I love the Spanish culture, every day seems like a celebration/street festival…and of course, the tapas and vino can’t be beat.

Puenta la Reina

On my way to Estella…

Los Arcos

On my way to Logroño…

Logroño

LA RIOJA & CASTILLA y LEÓN

Rioja Country…

On my way to Santo Domingo…

Belorado

On my way to Atapuerca then Burgos…

Burgos

Burgos is one of my favorite stops along the way. Lots of good energy, good food/wine, history, architecture…the old part of the city is compact enough with lots to see, do, eat and enjoy. If you have extra time, definitely worth an extra day.

Many people walk the Camino in stages. If you only have time to walk part of the Camino, I highly recommend starting in St. Jean and finishing in Burgos and resuming the Camino on a later date.

MESETA

The Meseta is a long, flat, dry stretch between Burgos and Leon. It’s more mentally than physically challenging, as the days can get long and monotonous. But, it’s all part of the experience.

I stopped for a good half hour filming this shepherd and his flock…