Walking the Camino de Santiago
Thoughts about the spiritual aspects of the Camino.
If Navarra smells vaguely of sheep, then Galicia smells vaguely of cows. Yes, I know, we’re still climbing our way out of the valley of El Bierzo, so we’re not technically in Galicia yet. But as we’ve seen, Galician culture is bigger than the physical borders of Galicia. Date: 25 April 2016 Place: between Vega de Valcarce and Ruitelán (Castilla […]
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As we approach the town of Villafranca del Bierzo, we pass through an old farmstead that includes this building. I want to say something about this, because while it is an extreme example, you see this sort of thing all over the Camino. Indeed, in a sense you see this wherever humans live. Was the original wall medieval, or was […]
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Throughout the churches and cathedrals of Spain, many eminent churchmen and lay people are entombed within the buildings. León Cathedral is no exception. Here is the crumbling remains of a bishop’s sarcophagus, soberly reminding us of our imminent death and that even our works and memorials are doomed to crumble to dust. Date: 19 April 2016 Place: León (Castilla y […]
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Simply delightful. There’s just something about this home in Villamayor del Río that caught my attention. It might be the gorgeous blue colour of the crumbling plaster, faded in time to a rustic patina. It might be the potted garden out front or the large central dutch door that leads directly into the kitchen. Or perhaps it’s the combination that […]
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Pilgrims and parishioners mix in the Cathedral square in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. We are but passing through, but for many of these young Catholics, they are passing through the sacrament of Confirmation and joining the Church Militant – that portion of the communion of saints still walking upon the earth. And no doubt some of them will take […]
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I cannot remember taking this photo, and I certainly don’t know if this is part of some monument or just a plinth on a highway bridge. But for me, this image displays one of the deep strands of the Camino. There is a dignity and a quiet majesty surrounding structures in decay. They speak of the past with weary visages […]
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This sign is posted in the common room of the Municipal Albergue in Azofra. You will see or hear variations of this phrase all along the Camino. It’s not only a good explanation of the difference between a pilgrim and a tourist when you travel, it’s a pretty good rule of thumb for life. Particularly when you recall the words […]
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This is one of the reasons I love Spain’s churches so much. To orient you, you’re standing in the middle of the nave of Santa María de Viana, looking down the north transept to a side chapel – and there were many side chapels. If you look up above the chapel, you can see the original Gothic walls and window. […]
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A month ago today, May 2, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela. I still haven’t uploaded all of the photos to Flickr. Perhaps in my head this will be the action that ends the Camino, though it’s long over. I also haven’t finished unpacking, either physically or mentally.
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It is now eighteen days after our arrival in Santiago. I’ve been back to my previous life and job for two full weeks now. Early on, somebody asked me “how’s re-entry been?” I’m not sure I gave a coherent answer at the time, and I’m not sure I’m going to give one now, either. In short, it’s been difficult. I […]
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