Today, we reached the final destination of our Creative Camino: Santiago de Compostela. We walked into the city from our hotel at kilometer 9. I didn’t get to do the final part of the Camino last year; I got sick and had to leave my own trip the day before we actually walked into the city. So, everything we did today was new for me.
In the early morning, we walked down a road bordered by woods on either side, then farmland and corn fields, and later, through villages. At first, the day was chilly. I was wearing shorts, a tee shirt and a very thin, but effective windbreaker, hiking boots, and socks. I was cold. But I’ve learned I’d rather be a little too cold than overheated when walking long distances. I don’t like having to keep stopping to take clothes on and off. I slipped my hand into my fanny pack and pulled out my knitted headband and covered my ears with it; just that little bit of additional warmth was enough—as long as I kept moving.
Gradually things got more urban. Soon we were walking alongside a road and passing factories. I’d expected there to be throngs of pilgrims this close to Santiago, but mostly it was just us, the occasional car, and once in a while, a fellow pilgrim calling out, “Buen Camino!”
Our first destination was Mount Joy, a hillside park outside of Santiago. It’s called Mount Joy because it is the first location from which pilgrims can actually get their first glimpse of the Cathedral of Santiago—the destination of all the Caminos.
As we got closer, I grew silent. I moved slower or ahead of people who were talking. I wanted to feel the weight of the moment resonating inside. This part of the Camino was just for me.
In the packing list we’d sent out, we instructed everyone to bring a stone with them, something that represented a burden they wanted to lay down. I’d chosen mine while hiking in the Sierras earlier in the summer and before I left, I’d stuffed it down deep into the front pocket of my pack. Now I pulled it out.
When we reached Mount Joy, I had everyone sit on a hillside, and gave them a ten-minute writing assignment: “Complete the following sentence. I want you to fill it in as many ways as you can in ten minutes. Use it as a repeating line: ‘I’m letting go of _______, and I’m opening up to _______.”
After we wrote, we walked in silence down a path, holding our stones, passed through an archway of trees toward the statues where pilgrims traditionally leave their stones. I felt the edges of the rock I’d chosen pressing against my palm. I liked its weight in my hand.
As I moved to lay down my stone at the feet of the statues, I felt a deep quiet inside. Unbidden, words pressed up from inside: “I surrender control. Please help me discover and embrace the next phase of my life.”
Around me, members of our group were placing their own stones, saying their own prayers, taking their own quiet moments. Other pilgrims were there, too, and we offered to take each other’s pictures. It was a sweet communion. We all knew that we’d been on the same journey.
Afterwards, our group stood in a tight circle and anyone who wanted spoke about what they’d let go of. One woman started singing Amazing Grace, and soon we all were.
It took another hour for our procession of pilgrims to reach the heart of Santiago. We stopped at a fruit stand. We stopped at an outdoor art installation, The Memory of the Pilgrims, a compilation of current pilgrim experiences on small billboards, relating inspiring stories of 21st century pilgrims from around the world.
Finally, after lots of steps on city streets, we reached the plaza and the Cathedral de Santiago. A few hundred pilgrims were milling around the giant square. People sitting on the ground resting, celebrating. Backpacks were everywhere. There was even a bride and groom in full regalia.
We made our way to the zero kilometer marker and took pictures. It was exhilarating and we were tired! But we had done it!
Take a look at what we experienced today. And yes, turn up your sound—there’s more dancing!
We just couldn’t stop dancing. Turn up your sound if you haven’t already.
