Congratulations to the 300 000 pilgrims who accomplished the Camino de Santiago in 2017

2017 is the biggest year for the Camino de Santiago on record as the Pilgrim Office in Santiago de Compostela announced last week they gave out a total of 301 036 Compostelas, Certificates of Achievement of the Camino de Santiago.

Congratulations to all those brave pilgrims who walked, cycled or horse-rode over 100 km into the City of the Apostle Saint James!

Each Camino has its reason and is an achievement.

Whichever way you have done it (with luggage transfers, support van & booked luxury accommodation or with just your backpack and a map), you dedicated at least a week of your time plus preparation, you overcame your fears and each one of the challenges that were put in front of you, you went out of your comfort zone and interacted with other human beings. Even if you are a seasoned traveller and have walked the Camino in the past, each Camino is unique and worthy of respect and praise.

group of horse-riders on the Camino de Santiago arriving in Monte de GozoSo, we dedicate this post to the 300 000 intrepid pilgrims who accomplished their goal last year, to those who are not in this list but who walked a long section of the Camino somewhere not finishing in Santiago and to all those who have done it in the past and will in the future! Well done!

Continue reading Congratulations to the 300 000 pilgrims who accomplished the Camino de Santiago in 2017

New BOOK Notice: Buen Camino! Tips from an American Pilgrim by Anne Born

One of the most enthusiast Caminoer we know and a wonderful poet, has just published her first book and the subject is how to prepare yourself for a Buen Camino. So if you are looking for that extra push to decide to embark on this once in a lifetime experience, we highly recommend you give it a read!

How to plan, where to stay, how to pack, what not to miss, and how to have a Buen Camino from the #littleoldladywalking!

 

Buen Camino! is not a guidebook, there are no maps, no long-winded legends or history – just lots of fun little stories and helpful tips from a veteran American pilgrim to anyone planning their first Camino by themselves or just waiting to go back without the help of an agency or staying in albergues.

Released in December 2017, the book is available for purchase on Amazon ($6.99 US) and will soon be available on Kindle, Nook (Barnes & Noble) and on Casa Ivar’s Camino Forum Store. Continue reading New BOOK Notice: Buen Camino! Tips from an American Pilgrim by Anne Born

The Camino de Santiago embraces Yoga by Silvia Santos Sanjuán

Working as a guide on the Camino, I was happily surprised that my first clients were a group of Yogis from California. As a yogi myself, I found it fascinating that yoga teachers from all over the world were coming to practice yoga on the Camino!

Later on, a profesional project put me to walk the Camino in the search of how much Yoga, as in asana or meditation sessions, was available on the ancient path to Santiago. The results of the search were beyond any expectations. Yoga is so present in the Camino that my original plan for a one month trip became a three months journey!

Not only I found Yoga; I realized the Camino is Yoga.

Looking at their origins, both spiritual paths arose from similar universal needs in the Eastern and Western worlds and they have shared parallel evolutions through History until today. Now, they share a moment of expansion, after decades of fast growing interest from explorers around the world. Continue reading The Camino de Santiago embraces Yoga by Silvia Santos Sanjuán