001: Is the Camino de Santiago for Everyone?
Is it for YOU?
The Camino de Santiago has continued to gain in popularity since I first walked it in 2012. But how do you know if it’s for you?
(For those of you that don’t know what the Camino de Santiago is: it’s a network of trails across Europe that people have used for over 1200 years to get to Santiago de Compostela—a city in northwestern Spain. I’ll write a post later about its origins and why nearly a half-million people walked into Santiago de Compostela in 2023.)
So who are you?
Maybe you already know you want to walk a Camino.
Maybe you’re not sure.
Maybe you think it’s not for you, but someone you love wants you to do it with them.
Maybe you have no idea what the Camino is (other than what I shared above), but something or someone got you to this page so you’re willing to take a look.
Whatever your reason for being here, welcome!
I’m here to save you from having to watch hours of YouTube videos, reading thousands of web site pages, or following dozens of Facebook groups about the Camino.
If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of planning a camino. . .
If you have no one to go with and are wondering if you can do this alone. . .
If you are not sure you have the physical stamina to do this. . .
If you have questions about packing, eating, planning, medical care, or anything else. . .
If you wonder if the Camino is for you or not. . .
Take a few deep breaths.
Maybe grab a favorite beverage.
Then, let me share with you the knowledge I’ve gained in my 12 years of walking Caminos, volunteering on Caminos, living on the Camino, and talking to hundreds who have decided to embark on this journey.
So who is the Camino for?
Couch potatoes, athletes, and anyone in between — I detest going to the gym or doing much of anything that could be called “exercise,” but—for reasons I couldn’t explain before my first Camino—the Camino was something I wanted to do. I made it happen and believe that no matter your physical abilities at this moment, you could make it happen, too.
Able-bodied, physically challenged, or anyone in between — On my first Camino, I met a man walking the route on crutches. Two years ago, I met a woman who leads blind people on the Camino. Last year, nearly 200 people in wheelchairs completed a Camino. Does this mean it’s easy? Absolutely not. But does this mean it’s possible for more people than I might have initially thought? Absolutely.
Those who can buy anything they want without a thought or care, those that are watching every penny and/or relying on the generosity of others to get by, and anyone in between — over the course of a Camino, I can walk with someone for hours, chat with them every day for a week or more, and by the time we reach Santiago, I may still have no idea what they do for income. Is it only for those with plenty of money and time? No. Is it free? No. But can people in a variety of financial situations find a way to do it? Absolutely.
Atheist, Religious, or anything in between — the origins of the Camino were indeed religious, but today people walk it for a variety of reasons. A specific religious belief is not a requirement. In fact, there aren’t a whole lot of requirements for doing the Camino.
Those who enjoy the comforts of a private room and a private bathroom, those who want the camaraderie of hostels, and everyone in between — there are plenty of debates as to who can be called a “true pilgrim” on the Camino, but I’m not here to judge. I’m here because I want to help people get to the Camino de Santiago. I think if the pilgrims of the Middle Ages saw the Camino today, some would say, “Wait — you can drive a vehicle to get to Santiago de Compostela? Why on earth are you walking?” Kings, Queens, and prisoners have walked the route. I doubt the former stayed in hostels. For now, know that no matter your sleeping and bathroom preferences, you’ll find it on at least one route of the Camino de Santiago. (And for those of you saying, “There’s more than one route?!” Yes. We’ll cover that in future posts.)
Newborns, over-90-year-olds, and anyone in between – Okay–technically the newborn wasn’t walking. She was being carried by her German parents who told me about Germany’s generous time off policy for new parents. Apparently, some people feel like walking a few hundred miles after birthing a child. Who knew? And that 90-plus guy? I can only hope I have half his energy when I’m that age.
Solo travelers, groups, and anyone in between – Personally, if you can do your first Camino on your own, that’s my vote. As much as I’ve enjoyed walking Caminos with my father, my husband, a friend, etc., my solo Caminos hold a special place in my heart. I’ll write more about this in a future post. Again, you can do it any way you want:)
I’ve met plenty of people on the Camino who tell me, “I started out walking with my friend/boyfriend/wife/husband but we learned we have very different ideas about how we wanted to do this, so we’re not walking together now.” Did the relationship end? On one occasion, I know it did. But on most, the pair found they both enjoyed the experience much better if they simply reunited in an agreed-upon town each night, for example.
Carrying a pack, having someone else carry it for you, or anything in between — this is another topic of great debate in the Camino world, but I learned on my first Camino to let go of judging others. I’m not perfect at it, but the Camino opened my perspective on a lot of things. . . So yes, there are companies that will port your belongings from one location to another on some of the Camino routes. So don’t let your inability to carry a backpack—for whatever reason—stop you from doing the Camino.
And for those of you wondering what could possibly be “between” carrying a pack or not, I have seen donkeys walking with their human companions at least three times on various Camino routes!
I have so much more to share with you—stories and insights on each of the topics mentioned above. I'll be sharing them in the coming weeks and months, so I invite you to subscribe to get notified whenever I post (it's free!).
If you’re eager to turn a dream of walking the Camino into a reality, I welcome you to set up a call with me at TheCaminoCalls.com. Helping others plan their Camino is such a joy for me–I would love to hear from you.
With love,
Rebecca
What I’m Watching:
Having been involved with the Camino de Santiago for 12 years, I’m always delighted when I come upon something that talks about the Camino from a different or previously-unknown-to-me angle. On AppleTV+, there’s an episode of Sacred Sites that talks about the history of the Camino routes long before the Camino de Santiago existed (and the Camino has been around for 1200 years!). Check it out in Season 2 (Episode 3).
Wise Words:
“So much in our lives is fast-paced. Walking is a slow undertaking. It is among the most radical things you can do.” -Erling Kagge; Walking: One Step at a Time
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The examples of different lifestyles you provide are so good. I can definitely see myself wanting to go through this experience!
This is great! How inspiring!