This April (2011) I walked on the Camino Frances portion, starting in Burgos, of the many St. James Way’s. Burgos is 500km from Santiago de Compostella, where the mortal remains of the Apostolic Saint James (Jakob in German, Jaques in French and Jaqobus in Latin) are enshrined. It is the second most important Pilgrimage of the Catholic world, but is undertaken by many people of different creeds and for very different reasons. I myself apply the label “atheist” if pressed for a religious affiliation. Last year I read about it on a blog and knew with astonishing certainty that I would have to go. And while I had few expectations, I can say that they were wildly wrong, but the reality was far superior to anything expected. The love and compassion I encountered, the lifelong friends I made and the truths I learned about myself have made this into (one of) the most important and serendipitous journey of my life.

Each journey on the Camino is different, but I have not met one person that was not wildly excited about their experience. There is pain and worry and moments of despondency, but in the end the exhilaration of getting up each day and walking make up for these moments.

As any proper knitting fanatic would I decided that I could not go three weeks without knitting, even if every gram counted because I would have to carry it for 500km. I wanted something simple but not boring and since I was part of the Old Maiden Aunt Sock Club I had these two beautiful colors of yarn I would never have bought for myself. It was a choice between Daybreak and Taygete. I chose the former for the clean unfrillyness.

I was the only knitter on the road and a curiosity to other travelers, but knitting helped me through some tough moments. Each stitch now reminds me of the many steps I took to reach my goal and the shawl is the best reminder of the strength and endurance of my body, of the love in my heart and the ability of my mind to adore the beauty of this world.

I’ll stop here before I start crying and you get sick with the pathos of my writing. If you have questions, or would like recommendations for traveling on the Camino, please leave a comment or message me.

Buen Camino.