A Pilgrimage - Walking on Camino Frances

The Beginning of a Calling

Almost a decade ago, I stumbled into the world of Paulo Coelho, beginning with The Alchemist. His words struck a chord—an elegant blend of spirituality, self-discovery, and emotion that felt both intimate and universal. One book led to another, until I had read nearly all of his works. Even today, when I find myself restless and searching for my next read, I return to Coelho—or sometimes to Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha—as if to steady myself.

Among his books, The Pilgrimage left a lasting imprint. In it, Coelho recounts his walk along the Camino Francés to Santiago de Compostela, a journey of endurance, faith, and reflection. I could almost see myself there, step by step, breathing in the silence of old paths.

Some time later, I watched The Way, the film where Martin Sheen walks the Camino to complete the journey his son could not. That story deepened the pull. The idea of a pilgrimage was no longer just in books or films—it began to live inside me.

Since then, the thought has lingered: to go on a journey of my own. To walk alone for days and to discover not just landscapes but the stillness within. To let the quiet and the long miles strip life down to its simplest truths.

Camnio Frances

“Camino” means The Way. There are many routes—the Camino Portugués, the Camino del Norte—but the Camino Francés is the most popular and beautiful. It begins in France and ends in Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a pilgrimage of nearly 500 miles. The journey usually takes 35 days, though some walk it in sections over many years, while others complete it all at once. 

When I began to formalize my plan, Dr. Annapurna Pandey (whom I call Annapurna apa) shared her desire to walk it as well. She had tried three years ago, but an ankle injury had forced her to stop. I said, “Let’s do it together.” And so the plan was set: in September 2025, we would walk the final 200 miles, beginning from León and finishing in Santiago over 15 days.

As I sat on the plane, ready for the walk, I asked myself: What exactly am I walking for? People walk to escape stress, to reflect, for religious reasons, to heal from heartache, to meet others—or perhaps for something they cannot name.

While waiting at the airport, I jotted down a few lines of poetry.

Dusted Trail

Part I – Why

Why for do I walk

on these dusted trails of the Camino?

neither religious

nor heir to a Christian heritage.

What for do I walk

this ancient pilgrim path,

I wonder.

Was it a random thought,

after reading Coelho,

or seeing the story of a father

completing a son’s journey?

Or perhaps it is my own—

completing a circle

begun years ago.

It is all of these,

and perhaps more.

Part II – Reflection

Part III – Complete

(I have finished Part II and III  - it will be in my next poetry book)

For me, this was always about self-discovery—with no expectations. Just walking, experiencing nature. Facing pain, meeting fellow pilgrims.

Camino Frances Experience

The First 100 Miles (León → Sarria)

Like many things, the journey began with excitement, but reality set in quickly. After the first day, Annapurna apa developed blisters. Yet she pressed on, carefully protecting her feet with Compeed and tape. Each day, we walked 14–20 miles, usually reaching the next albergue (pilgrim hostel) by 3 or 4 p.m. Evenings were simple—rest, a pilgrim’s dinner, or a shared meal.

This part of the Camino was quiet, but we met remarkable people: a father and son from the Philippines, a woman from Santa Cruz, a Spanish trio, an Australian couple. Annapurna apa, as a cultural anthropologist, was fascinated by people’s stories and reasons for walking. I, however, sought minimal interaction—preferring silence on the trail.. 

The Last 100 Miles (Sarria → Santiago de Compostela)

After nine days (eight of walking and one of rest), we reached Sarria. This is where most pilgrims begin, since it can be completed in just a week. Suddenly, the Camino grew crowded. Yet by then we were in rhythm—waking early, grabbing coffee and a croissant, walking for hours, stopping in small villages for lunch, then pressing on to the next destination.

Finally, on September 25, 2025, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela. A surreal moment. Two hundred miles behind us. Centuries of footsteps before us. The city carried a quiet aura, and it was easy to understand why pilgrims had been coming here since the 9th century—to the tomb of the Apostle James

Learnings & Surprises

The greatest surprise was the generosity of strangers. Everyone carried their own reason for walking, yet kindness flowed easily. We met twenty-year-olds searching for direction, and a couple celebrating their golden anniversary. The Camino became a tapestry of stories, woven by people from every walk of life.

My Journey

For me, this pilgrimage was deeply spiritual. Along the way, I came across a family offering free food to pilgrims in their humble home. Very interesting Spanish people - they lead retreats to India and teach yoga. Their presence reminded me of something simple yet profound: we are all pilgrims.

Until then, I had thought of myself as a traveler. But on the Camino, I realized the truth: I am a pilgrim. We all are. As the Vedas and Indian philosophical texts remind us—we are spiritual beings, walking a journey of discovery.

 

Be a pilgrim. Take a journey.
Buen Camino.