I was told about the Camino by a close friend following an event in my life which made me lose my meaning. I was struggling to see any positives or escape from the sadness that I was in. My friend had completed the Camino many times and told me I would benefit from it. The Camino quickly became my focus and I spent all of my time researching and planning for it. Three months later I was packed and on my way to France. Everything about the Camino makes me happy, I can't even remember the pain or struggles along the way. What I remember is the people, the laughter and the friendships gained. love how people who only know each other for mere days or even hours can open up to one another and speak about such personal matters.
No one judges anyone on the Camino, we're all there for a purpose, mine was simply to learn how to be happy again.I smiled so much on the Camino, you look around at pilgrims on the way and that is one thing that everyone does; when they greet new people, when they see the Albergue in the distance, when we sing songs as we walk and when we view beautiful sights. The Camino allows pilgrims to be themselves with no pressures of work, money etc. Everyone on the Camino is living on the minimum and we all appreciate it and each other more because of that.
I learnt how to view positives and to smile again, more so than I had in a very long time.
The things I learnt will always stay with me and I am planning my next Camino stage in the coming months.
The Camino will always be a part of me and I will always hold on to all of the memories, friends and experiences I had whilst I was on the Way of St James.
I am my happiest when I am on the Camino.
Buen Camino!!