The Camino de Santiago is a series of traditional pilgrimage routes leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish), the disciple of Jesus. In medieval times, pilgrims flocked from all our Europe to visit the tomb and receive a blessing. The routes have been revived in the late 20th century and again pilgrims are drawn from around the world to make the journey on foot to Santiago.
The main route, the Camino Francés, begins on the French border in the sleepy town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and stretches over 800km (500 miles) to Santiago de Compostela near the western coast of Spain. The path follows the route laid out in the first pilgrim guidebook, the Codex Calixtinus, from the 12th century. Today, over 100,000 pilgrims make the trek along the Camino Francés.
I am going with my best friend, travel partner, and adventurer Dr. Mel. Melissa and I go all the way back to high school. We have traveled all over the world together. It was her idea that we should complete this trek. At first, I was not sure, then I realized that I really wanted to adventure for so many reasons. I want to see this part of the world, I want to feel accomplished and I also want to have a spiritual pilgrimage. I feel that after a long road in my faith God has been calling me back to deeper intimacy I once had. I know my faith and spirituality will never be that of me long ago since I have changed, learned, and grown from that young naive girl.