On the Camino

Along the Camino there are very few items that you buy as you walk simply because of the weight of them - typical tourist items are impractical but me and Becky do like collecting badges from the places that we visit (more about these in a future post probably!), our favourites depict an image of something famous in the place itself (a picture of the Church or Cathedral there maybe or an old Cross maybe). These can be seen to have quite old origins though if we look back to Pilgrim badges.   These were small badges in the mediaeval that were usually made of a base metal (that is a cheap one which was easy to work such as pewter or a lead alloy) and were made en-mass by die stamping them or moulds the idea being that they were cheap enough so that anyone could afford them.   These badges were bought as a souvenir of their pilgrimage and as a symbol to others that they had undertaken this journey – they were worn on hats or outer clothing so that, in a time when fe...

I can't seem to find any information on the history of this prayer, everywhere I look only says that it's 'ancient' which isn't much use! It does bring forth ideas of centuries of Pilgrims saying this Prayer though before they set off and on the road. It helps to remind you that you are one of many millions who have walked this path. Pilgrim prayer – O God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings, who guided the Hebrew people across the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in the love of your name to Santiago de Compostela. Be for us our companion on the walk, Our guide at the crossroads, Our breath in our weariness, Our protection in danger, Our albergue on the Camino, Our shade in the heat, Our light in the darkness, Our consolation in our discouragements, And our strength in our intentions. So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound at the end ...

Santa Domingo on the Camino Frances is where one of the most famous of the legends of the Camino is said to have happened. In the 14th century an 18-year old German boy was walking the Camino with his parents. When they reached Santo Domingo they stayed in the hostel where a girl, possibly the owner’s daughter or maybe just a servant girl who worked in the hostel or an inn (different versions of the story give her different positions), made advances toward him which he spurned. Angered by this the girl decided to get her own back and so she hid a silver cup in the boy’s bag before he left the hostel and then reported it missing. The boy and his parents were stopped and searched and the cup found in the boy’s pocession. The boy protested his innocence but was hung for the crime as his parents watched. They then carry on to Santiago (with great sadness you imagine) to continue with their pilgrimage.         On their return they passed by the gall...

The Pilgrimage came about because of the myth that St James preached in Spain. Although he was largely unsuccessful he then asked to be buried in Spain. His followers placed his body in a stone boat (which can still be seen in Muxia?). There were difficulties in this endeavour as it seems that the Spanish were none too keen to have the Saint buried on their land and refused his followers permission – the local Queen, Lupa, provided the team of oxen used to draw the body from Padrón to the site of the marble tomb a little way inland which she had also provided but the oxen proved to be unruly beasts who had not been tamed and so could not be yoked yet, once the sign of the cross had been made over them, they were docile and pulled the cart with the Saint’s body upon it with ease. The site of his tomb was then forgotten for some 800 years. After the fall of the Roman Empire Spain was ruled by the Moors against whom the Spanish rose up with Saint James at their head literally - in 813...

I love collect sellos (stamps) as I walk - it's great once the hospitelero has stamped your credential to spend just a second inspecting it before you go to find your bed. They are all so beautiful and different and a wonderful way to record your journey and experiences which is why I will get one from every bar that I stop in for a snack or eat at as well as going into Churches when they are open to get theirs. And if I get all cultural on the Camino and go in museums I will get their as well and then when I get home, before I show off all of my pictures, I will show everyone my sellos and we will all admire them. They are beautiful,  free to collect and, more importantly, they weigh nothing  - what's not to love?! These are all of my sellos from 2013: admire and enjoy!

After walking on the Camino six times now I'm certain that it can gt under your skin, that something about it keeps pulling you back so that once is often not enough. Friends that me and Becky made two years ago, who swore that they were walking for their last time, have just returned and another friend we made this year has just reached Samos on his second Camino of the year! And me and Becky are planing another Camino (although this one will be on the Portuguese route rather than the Frances). So if it is possible to become 'addicted' to the Camino what would be the 'symptoms' of this? 1. A desire to walk everywhere even though the buses are quicker. And you have a car, why not just drive? 2. Upon seeing a yellow arrow you are seized by an urge to follow it wherever it leads 3. When a cyclist passes you you want to shout out 'Buen Camino!' loudly (I actually have had to stop myself a few times!) 4. Checking people's backpacks for badges or patch...

Summer is the busiest time on the Camino and the hottest. It’s when a lot of Spanish people walk, particularly the young who see it as a cheap holiday so finding a bed can be a problem, I've heard that some people do have to sleep outside.        Easter week was noticeably busier on the Camino this year as people took advantage of the holiday to walk.         March-May is when I have done two Caminos and it can be nice to see the spring flowers coming out but you cannot be guaranteed warm weather.        My other three Caminos have been in September when the Camino is quieter and the weather has not become too cold.        If you go out of summer then know that not all albergues will be open, check your guidebook (which, from experience, may not always be right!).        The graph (all information for which comes f...

For the past two years me and Becky have gone on Camino in late September and are missing it now - we both feel a bit 'Camino sick' at the moment and so my thoughts are going to our last Camino and to my Compostela which I thought that I would share with you all. This translates as: The Chapter of this Holy Apostolic Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint James, custodian of the seal of Saint James’ Altar, to all faithful and pilgrims who come from everywhere over the world as an act of devotion, under vow or promise to the Apostle’s Tomb, our Patron and Protector of Spain, witnesses in the sight of all who read this document, that: Mr/Mrs/Ms…………………has visited devoutly this Sacred Church in a religious sense (pietatis causa). Witness whereof I hand this document over to him, authenticated by the seal of this Sacred Church. Given in Saint James of Compostela on the (day) (month) (year) A.D.

We keep thinking about walking a different Camino - there are a few to chose from so I've been doing some research on which are the most popular Caminos to walk; one of the best parts of the Camino is being able to meet people from all over the world so we don't want to walk where no one at all does! The Frances is definitely the most popular route to walk! The 'other Caminos' part is not the Finisterra route as the Cathedral doesn't class that as a Camino.