Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, or The Way of St. James, is a collection of old pilgrimage routes that cover all of Europe. My friend Tim just completed the 790 kilometer route across northern Spain, averaging 27 kilometers (just over 16 miles) per day. He has been posting pictures and updates on Facebook over the past month and he said he has lots of stories to share. Can't wait to hear some of them!

A pilgrimage such as this can be a life-changing experience - testing your limits, deepening your spirituality, widening your world through developing new friendships and exploring new cultures. Here is a poem by one of the Santiago pilgrims, called "The Road."

Here is the road: the light

comes and goes then returns again.

Be gentle with your fellow travelers

as they move through the world of stone and stars

whirling with you yet every one alone.

The road waits.

Do not ask questions but when it invites you

to dance at daybreak, say yes.

Each step is the journey; a single note the song.

~ Arlene Gay Levine ~

Tim inspired me to consider my own pilgrimage - to Nidaros in Trondheim, Norway. This, too, was a popular Christian pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. Some routes are completed and some are still in process. A two or three-week walking trip? Why not? I love quests - here's spiritualityandpractice.com's take on the spiritual practice of Questing