El Camino de Santiago
My daughter Ana and I walked a portion of The Way of Saint James in 2013. We bought sun hats and walking sticks and wrapped our toes in duct tape, a hiker’s tip that prevented blisters.
With a map and instructions to follow the yellow scallop shells painted on rocks or the road or the side of a building, we walked 70km in six days, which is the length required in order to receive certification as a Pilgrim. I had no motivation other than to see this beautiful country on foot. As I walked I often thought of my favorite line from the poet Machado: Caminante, no hay camino. Se hace camino al andar. Traveler, there is no road, you make the road by walking.
Somehow I find more meaning in the Spanish version.
