Have you walked the Camino Trail,I want to do it earlynext year?

Question

Have you walked the Camino Trail,I want to do it earlynext year?

Answer 1

Hi, what camino trail you mean? There are at least 2 camino trails known as "el camino". El camino de Santiago, which ends in Santiago de Compostela and can start from france, germany, italy or other points of spain and europe and El camino del Rocio. The first is more of a pilgrimage although the second is too. However the second usually is done by whole villages or large groups of people that leave normally by horse back and horse carts from many differnt points in Spain to the Sanctuary of La Virgen del Rocio. There thsay rewst and stay for a week of celebrations and adoration and then they return home. Depends where you leave from that el camino lasts more or less but even from villages only 50 km away it takes several days horseback to get there. No one goes in a hurry and there are constant stops to dance sevillanas and fandangos, drink wine and finos, and eat tapas. Its more typical of Andalucian villages and cities but there is even people that leave on horseback from Madrid and other far away cities and are a month doing el camino until they arrive to el Rocio, Huelva.

The other one to Santiago is usually done by individuals, mabe a couple of friends and smaller groups on the differnt roads that take to Santiago since the early middle ages and join other pilgrims on the way. Its a more personal experience and for more spiritual too while the other is more a great celebration dedicated to the virgin- a very different way of understanding religion since you sing, dance and offer your joy to the Virgin.

I have done both and El camino de Santiago I started it at Roncesvalles, Navarra, near the french border to Santiago by the cantabrian litoral. Other do el Camino o Ruta de la plata that goes from Huelva and Sevilla via Extremadura following the ancient roman roads or vias, all the way to Santiago.

What ever you do, or better where ever you go its worth it since apart from the destiny the "road" in itself as symbol of life (el camino de Santiago from France is called the milky way - la voyee lactee) is full of unespected events many quite intense. So in one the road is more personal, quiet, observant and you are not only an actor but also an espectator while el Camino to El Rocio you are an actor and a passenger as well as espectator. El Rocio in early may, late april, moon count, while el camino a Santiago is whenever you want. Do the Jubilee or pardon of all your sins is during Año Santo.

Latelly there has been a lot of development in the northern camino to Santiago and you can do it ny horse, bycicle or wlaking different areas. Whatever you do You will enjoy it and it will be something unforgetable. So get excited and ready since as the poet said

Caminante no hay camino

se hace el camino al andar

Best

S