April 11, 2024 – Redmond WA:
We are feeling official now. Our Pilgrim’s Credentials arrived for the Camino de Santiago.
It is a passport that a pilgrim gets stamped at each city or albergue (hostel) as you walk toward the Santiago cathedral. A pilgrim will receive a compostela (certificate) if you walk (or ride by horse) at least the final 100 kilometers (62 miles) or bike ride the final 200 kilometers.
We could have picked it up in Portugal, but Siri requested it from American Pilgrims on the Camino, a US non-profit that supports pilgrims and the Camino. Having it in hand makes it more real, (it even has our names!) and we really are going to do this.
As we open up all the blank pages with anticipation of how it will look with fresh stamps as we visit various communities along the way, we also see the map of ALL the Caminos de Europa (check the yellow map). You can start as far away as Rome, Budapest, or Oslo – a trip of several months.
There is also this statement:
The Spirit of the Camino
Live in the moment
Welcome each day – it’s pleasures and it’s challenges
Make others feel welcome
Share
Feel the Spirit of those who have gone before you
Imagine those who will follow you
Appreciate those who walk with you today
A nice philosophy to keep with us along our own pilgrimage.
Siri and David Adventures 