The Way -
In May of 2011,myself and two other friends undertook to walk the Camino, also called St James Way or the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
The Way of St James has been one of the most important Christian pilgrimages since medieval times and it has existed for over 1000 years. The city of Santiago de Compostela is considered the burial site of the apostle James the Great. Legend states that St. James’ remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. In the middle ages the route was highly travelled.
The most popular of the routes runs from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles on the Spanish side. Before making its way through to Santiago de Compostela through the major cities of Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos and Leon. About 780km later, after traveling the breadth of Northern Spain you arrive at your destination of Santiago de Compostela. >This is the route my friends and I took.
This is the route my friends and I took. Many say they walk just because it is there, for others it’s an adventure holiday or walking holiday. Some start out with the thought that it is a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey, however given the way people bond after spending so much time together walking even those on holiday agree by the end that it is a very special journey.
By the time you complete this series you will have done 1% of the Camino. I would encourage you to walk this series to get a very small sense of what it was like. Buen Camino.
May 9th Monday – Najera - Another long walking day, 27 kms . Another charming medieval town on a river. We stayed at a municiple hostel that had almost 100 beds all in one room and very crowded. The water was turned off so we did not get a chance to shower.
