It’s been an incredible journey walking through the stunning countryside of Spain, carrying with me a sense of wonder, bandaged feet, and aching back.

The Camino has been a celebration of life for me. I’m grateful to have had this opportunity. I’ve also learned a few things along the way.

How to walk in a group.

I’ve never attempted group travel. I’m used to walking at my own pace, stopping when I want and and moving forward when I am ready. I have learned to slow down. That’s a good change for me.

Improvise.

When there is no bathroom and you need to go, you find a ‘green door’. This is a term we use when we enter the woods to do our business.

Eat the same thing every day.

The Spanish food along the Camino does not vary much. My go-to is a simple salad of lettuce, onion and tomatoes and Galician soup made with white beans, potatoes and kale.

The kale here grows like trees. No kidding.

Watercolor painting.

Our watercolor guru extraordinaire, Brenda, gives us tips along the way. How to mix paints to get the right shade of green, how to work with shadows and background, and the simple basics of watercolor painting. I am hooked.

Daily writing prompts.

Our writing teacher Laura, gives us a quote and writing prompt each morning. One day as we walked in silence, her prompt was: ‘When I’m silent…’ ‘Silence invites me…’ ‘Silence can teach me…’.

I’ve seen the smiling faces of pilgrims from all over the world. We’ve exchanged the greeting ‘Bueno Camino’, a cross cultural way of recognizing fellow pilgrims and wishing each other well on our walk.

We’ve walked past spectacular sunrises and sunsets, forests and cornfields, rolling hills and winding cobblestone streets, ancient bridges, towns, churches, ruins, as well as sheep, horses, lazy dogs and friendly cats. I watched a herd of cows amble behind a rusty red tractor through the streets of Palas del Rei. The last cow in line decided to head our way and say hello.

This walk has afforded me extended time to explore my thoughts, which have run the gambit. ‘Where is the next ‘green door’? ‘Will my body hold up?’ But, mostly I’ve been in joy and deep gratitude each day.

I’m grateful for my life, the ability to walk through this beautiful country and for the new friends I have made.

My walk was cut short by a few days when several of us tested positive for Covid and had to leave the group. I am nursing a runny nose and dry cough. Other than that I’m doing fine. I am in Santiago, our final destination. The others arrive today.

This famous pilgrimage site is dotted with graceful monasteries, magnificent churches, historic palaces and beautiful parks. And of course, the spectacular Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the pilgrim’s journey ends.