This summer, I have the incredible opportunity to return to Spain to hike the southern side of the Camino de Santiago. Previously, I hiked the northern part of the Camino along the coast while I was in high school with a student group. This summer, I will be hiking with alumni and friends from my high school. During this 10-day trip, I will be hiking over 100 miles along trails that have been in use for hundreds of years. Each year, thousands of pilgrims take these walks across Spain as faith walks in reverence of St. James (Santiago) or as a walk of their own faith. 

One of the main aspects of this pilgrimage is walking in silence while connecting with the Lord. Each day, I will be hiking in at least two hours of silence where I can pray or silently connect with God. During my last camino, I was able to experience the incredible ways that God can move in silence as I admired his creation through nature.

Spain is filled with beautiful rolling hills and coats that are amazing to walk through. While doing the camino, pilgrims walk through many cities and countryside where you are able to see what daily life is like within and outside of main cities. This summer, I will have great opportunities to take tours while in the cities we pass through to learn more about the history of the Camino and Spain. 

The final stop of the Camino is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. Here I, alongside other pilgrims, celebrate by sharing travel stories and receiving the stamp of completion. It is common for the church to be filled with many people carrying packs that they have walked with and resting their legs. I am especially excited to end here because previously I did not finish the camino at this location. Overall, by the end of this trip I will have walked over 250 miles of the camino!