A long walk

So we have decided to take a long walk...approximately 500 miles. 

A few years ago we watched "The Way", a film directed by Emilio Estevez about a father's journey on the Camino de Santiago, which is an ancient pilgrimage path through the Spanish countryside. This path has been walked for over a thousand years by pilgrims going to Santiago where the body of Saint James the apostle is buried. 

I am intrigued by this spiritual journey. I'm attracted to the idea of mindful walking. The idea of waking up in a new place and knowing that all I need to do that day is walk feels somehow satisfying. I've grown tired to being funneled into tourist centers and having to make a multitude of decisions about what to see and what to miss. I like the idea of walking and meeting new people. I like how I have different conversations when I'm walking. I like how I see more nature when I'm walking.

John has been wanting to walk the Camino for a couple years and I got on board about a year ago. I just kept meeting people who had walked it and raved about how much they enjoyed it. We went on a few organized Camino walks around Portland and the friendship was contagious, along with the rich conversation.

So in mid-August we begin our journey. We will return in October, renewed with new experience and maybe some enlightenment. But definitely with sore feet and lots of new energy. Good thing we are both massage therapists!