Trekking the Camino de Santiago

by Teresaa
(Newaygo, MI)

I'm a 48 year old woman. On June 29th I flew to St Jean Pie de Port, France to begin a 560 mile trek West across Spain on the Camino de Santiago. I completed the trail.. and ended up walking on to Finisterre.

The Camino walked me through my whole life..I learned many great lesson...and I met people from all over the world.

I slept in Albergues. - housings for pilgrims. I carried my 20 pound pack for 5 weeks and washed my clothes in the shower with me then hung them to dry. This all felt natural. The pilgrims took care of each other.

It was an amazing journey. I reached the end without one blister but my feet did swell. My Spanish is terrible. I am a deaf women who wears hearing aids but I did not wear them as I walked 18 to 22 miles each day. I walked alone by choice.

One day I had reached the top of a hill where an old church housed pilgrims. A very nice man helped me and was speaking to me. I tried to tell him my ears were no good. He then ran outside of the church and got the Doctor for me. I then showed them my hearing aids and we had a good laugh.

I was treated with the most love and compassion on this journey. The Camino is on my mind every day and my life is different. I've always enjoyed hiking and walking but not 18 to 22 miles EVERY DAY! I continue to walk 12 miles each Sunday morning and a few times stay overnight with some friends. I walk not so much for the body but for the peace of mind. Blessings to all.

Some people read their Bible in Hebrew, some in Greek. I read mine from Mother Earth! I am "She-who-walks-plenty" aka Teresa...Together we are all one.