Hiking the Camino del Norte || Self-discovery and Rejuvenation—The Movie

#caminodelnorte #caminodesantiago #spain #hikingadventures

Can you recall that feeling of needing a major reset in your life? I certainly can.

I was, like many, stuck in a daily grind and I craved an adventure that would reconnect me with nature and myself. I was always rushing and in a hurry.

I felt as if I’d lost the sense of what was truly important in my work and life.

And when pressed hard, I walked urgently, thought urgently and ate urgently—all of this I found tremendously ineffective and unhealthy.

I also dreamt of taking on a challenge that pushed me physically, mentally and emotionally.

That’s why, when I gave up my full-time job, I first decided to embark on an 840 KM hike along the Camino del Norte in Spain.

The Camino del Norte, or the Northern Route, stretches across the northern coast of Spain.

I started in Irún; a city close to the French border. Moving west, I passed through the rugged yet beautiful Basque Country, soaked up the sun and sandy beaches in Cantabria, delighted in the mountainous and lush vegetation of Asturias, and ended up in the rich cultural landscape of Galicia and the historic cathedral city of Santiago de Compostela.

So, join me as I take you along on my adventure.

I’ll show you some stunning scenery, introduce you to the wonderful people I met along the Way, invite you to sit with me during my frequent coffee breaks, and finally share with you my challenges and feelings about getting lost, trudging along stony pathways and getting out of breath going up (and down) steep hills and mountains.

I certainly had my fair share of challenges from getting lost, stepping on stones, walking on asphalt and going up and down endless hills. But, I enjoyed myself tremendously and I’m glad I did it.

I’ll be honest and tell you that although there is much discussion about the ‘Camino experience,’ I’m not sure I can pin it down to a specific event, time or place.

I didn’t have (or I don’t think I had) an epiphany—a moment of sudden realisation or revelation.

Rather, I think something else happened that crept up to me daily.

For starters, I got fit. I learnt to SLOW DOWN and reflect. I felt younger, and looked less haggard, I think.

It became a lot easier to socialise and help others when they needed it and I realised that I had, and continue to have one year later, the perseverance and stamina to walk a very long distance without an injury and blissful wonder about how fortunate and blessed I am, these days.

So, I encourage you to explore and experience the Camino de Santiago for yourself.

The Northern Route is beautiful, unique and not as crowded in my experience as the Camino Francés—the French Way.

¡Buen Camino! Thanks for watching and I’ll see you on the next one.