I’m not sure why I decided to walk the Camino, what question I hope to answer during the journey or what I want to find. I know that many things appealed to me when considering making this pilgrimage from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. As a Catholic, a pilgrimage through a historically Catholic country while staying in church hostels and making time for prayer appealed to me. Walking 500 miles had an athletic appeal – I wanted to challenge body. The thought of taking this journey with only a backpack and carrying the most necessary supplies appealed to my sense of adventure – I wanted to challenge my mind and experience something different. I can tell you what did not appeal to me about the Camino – talking to hundreds of strangers along the way.

After 5 days on the Camino, I continue to not know what I am searching for or why I walk to Santiago de Compostela. But I can tell you how I will continue to walk the Camino – in humility. I met an amazing group of individuals, all with unique stories and all searching for something. Most remarkably, I encountered an 80 something year old woman who could not carry her backpack but was dragging it along the way. Her smile and attitude helped me persist, particularly on physically and mentally tough days. I can tell you why I choose to keep walking the Camino – to give thanks to God for the body He has given me. For feet that sustain me daily, that have already hiked 75 miles in 5 days, and will trek the ~425 miles left to travel. For a back that can bear a 20 lb pack and carry it up mountains, through strong winds, and along onerous roads. For eyes that keep me safe, look out for the yellow seashells and arrows pointing the way, and are alert for danger; the same eyes that notice the beauty of quaint villages, mountain ranges and peoples’ faces.

I do not know why I walk the Camino, but I know I must keep walking.