when i think of the countries of Europe, i am curious and interested in visiting them all, but i have no sense of urgency. if anything, i have thought the countries of Europe would be there for me in later life, when my desire to stay at hostels and carry only a backpack would have waned. i imagined touring through centuries old villages, visiting ancient churches, and being a "tourist" who leisurely takes in all that someone like Rick Steves has to offer. ok well maybe that is going a bit too far but still, European travel seemed something a maturer version of myself would do.
enter...The Way of St. James...El Camino de Santiago...le Pèlerinage de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle.
this map shows the many routes people took to get to Santiago, considered the 3rd holy city to medieval pilgrams, after Jerusalem and Rome. from the 10th century to the present day people have followed 4 routes, the route in red (Camino francés) is the most traveled today with approximately 200,000 people doing some portion of this route each year. this is the route i will take, about 900km...unless i decide to go "to the ends of the earth," to Finisterre which will add 90km to the trip.
the more research i do, the more i talk to people who have gone on this incredible journey the more excited i become! it is yet another reason "travel" is such an astounding experience...i am not even gone, no real date/plan in mind but the prospect, just the idea is in itself an experience.
until next time.
