Hiking El Camino is a Life Altering ExperienceÂ
I often get asked what made me decide to hike the Camino the first time. I get asked more about why I decided to hike it a 2nd time!
I always say that hiking El Camino demonstrates human kindness at its best, but many people just don’t believe me. They  often say why can’t you just walk around your neighbourhood and be kind to people?
Your neighbourhood is not the Camino. There is something very special about doing this, and I hope to shed some light on that in this blog.
Let me share what happened to me today during a long hike on a hot day!
I was walking alone and enjoying myself and my mind drifted to my family. I was sad because tomorrow August 13, my Great Nephew is being christened and I won’t be there. I am quite sad about that.
It’s sometimes hard being away from family and friends. I have not heard much from home. Although I am with friends, family is family.
On the Camino, you have lots of time alone to think while you hike. I had that time today. Today I also thought of my parents, who both have passed. I sat and looked over the vistas and found myself shedding a few tears.
I didn’t think anyone was around, but a young couple turned the corner, approached me, and saw me with tears in my eyes.
They rushed over to see if I was hurt. They were from Latvia. Their English was very good. I told them I was missing family etc., and they both hugged me. We chatted for a while and laughed about how emotional you can get here.
The young woman then took a tissue from her pack, wiped the last tear that ran from my eye onto my cheek. She hugged me and kissed my forehead. Her boyfriend gave me another hug and we laughed and off they went. I was smiling again.
That is kindness! Strangers showing concern, listening, and being compassionate! It happens all along the Camino!
I don’t think this can be done at home until we have walked The  Camino. At home, we are all not alike. On the Camino it does not matter how much money you have, what job you have, who your family is, your socio-economic status, or your culture/religion. We are all just people with backpacks hiking to Santiago.
I love being in a place where human kindness prevails. This is what I love about the Camino!
It is NOT A CULT!
- there is no secret password or handshake
- there are no rights of initiation
- no leader
- no money expected to be given
- no brainwashing ?
Here is another example I can share.
3 days ago, I met a man from Sweden who had badly blistered feet. He was in lots of pain and was showing me a couple of spots on his foot where his blisters were really bad and he wasn’t sure how to put his shoes on and walk the next day. I offered advice and my Hikers Wool.
Hikers wool is something I discovered a couple of years ago which is wool rich and lanolin. You put it on your feet on spots were blisters are about to form or have formed. It reduces the friction and reduces the risk of blisters forming or becoming worse.
I passed him yesterday and he shook my hand and thanked me for helping his feet. He was insistent that he buy me something because of what I did. He felt like he needed to pay me back. I told him to do something kind for someone else instead. That is what we do here for each other. Strangers help strangers simply because we can and we want to. Nobody would ever pass by someone in need on the Camino trail and walk by without a conversation or offering help, absolutely nobody. We should not do that at anytime or anywhere.
DO YOU DO THAT AT HOME?
The Camino teaches you the following;
Dedication, Perseverance, Compassion, Courage
Belief in Yourself, Living Up to a Challenge
Tolerating Pain – emotional and physical, Endurance
MOST IMPORTANTLY – it teaches you how to be kind to complete strangers
THIS IS WHY I DO IT!
HERE ARE PHOTOS FROM TODAYS LONG HIKE in the Blazing Sun!
We Crossed into the RIOJA REGION ( wine country ), and left Navarre (Basque Region) Today!
Finally, The Ruins of San Pedro in Viana!
TOTAL TRACKER STEPS – 36,010
KEEP WALKING!
Hi Dan
I read your blog today and was both moved and inspired by it. Your act of kindness , sharing your home, has been felt deeply by me as I too go on my journey . Being here has been very therapeutic as a sort out the meaning of my new role, a widow. Each day as I walk along the lake I am reminded how fortunate I am that your friendship with Meg brought me to this wonderful place. While you may not known this at the time your kindness has made a significant difference in my life. Thank you!
Hi Carole:
I am beyond thrilled that you are enjoying it there and enjoying the walks along the lake that I love to do daily!
Your kind words have made me smile at the end of a very tough hiking day !
I was wondering how you were enjoying it and I am just thrilled that you’re loving being there !
Dan
Dan, with so many negative things happening in the world together with one person hating another, it was good to read your blog today and realize that there is hope in the world. Maybe the media should publish only the positives and see what might happen.