To Each Their Own Camino

There I was, an average middle-aged woman living and working on Canada’s west coast. How, then, did I come to be walking this ancient path, family and friends left behind, and everything I owned in a pack on my back? Exchanging my office pumps for hiking boots and my purse for a backpack, for forty days I followed the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage of almost eight hundred kilometres across northern Spain. During my journey to Santiago, I experienced climbs and descents that challenged my endurance, ancient towns and historical landmarks that excited my imagination, and endless plains and stretches of solitude that tested my soul. I bent against blinding snow and pummeling winds, endured drenching rains, and basked in brilliant sunshine. My steps led over rocky trails, through whispering forests, among dancing grasslands, and through bustling cosmopolitan cities and crumbling towns. A colourful, international cast of characters strolled through my days, from an irreverent Irishman, to a Polish political prisoner, to a young German couple packing their new baby, to a Tennessee twosome that was walking the world. Their stories were as varied as the landscapes through which we passed. Some sought spiritual renewal, some walked to exercise grief, and some in hope or gratitude for personal miracles. Others just enjoyed walking, seeing a new country, and meeting new people. Each experienced their own Camino in their own way. Ordinary people living ordinary lives, suddenly stepping out on an extraordinary journey, we shared food, wine, and bunk rooms. Through laughter and tears, we broke down barriers of language, religion, and nationality. Strangers became friends, and friends became family, some just for a day or two . . . and some for a lifetime.

There I was, an average middle-aged woman living and working on Canada’s west coast. How, then, did I come to be walking this ancient path, family and friends left behind, and everything I owned in a pack on my back? Exchanging my office pumps for hiking boots and my purse for a backpack, for forty days I followed the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage of almost eight hundred kilometres across northern Spain. During my journey to Santiago, I experienced climbs and descents that challenged my endurance, ancient towns and historical landmarks that excited my imagination, and endless plains and stretches of solitude that tested my soul. I bent against blinding snow and pummeling winds, endured drenching rains, and basked in brilliant sunshine. My steps led over rocky trails, through whispering forests, among dancing grasslands, and through bustling cosmopolitan cities and crumbling towns. A colourful, international cast of characters strolled through my days, from an irreverent Irishman, to a Polish political prisoner, to a young German couple packing their new baby, to a Tennessee twosome that was walking the world. Their stories were as varied as the landscapes through which we passed. Some sought spiritual renewal, some walked to exercise grief, and some in hope or gratitude for personal miracles. Others just enjoyed walking, seeing a new country, and meeting new people. Each experienced their own Camino in their own way. Ordinary people living ordinary lives, suddenly stepping out on an extraordinary journey, we shared food, wine, and bunk rooms. Through laughter and tears, we broke down barriers of language, religion, and nationality. Strangers became friends, and friends became family, some just for a day or two . . . and some for a lifetime.

'Walking to the End of the World' keeps us turning its pages--an elegant story woven in the seasoned voice of writer Beth Jusino, who shares great insight into her own strengths and weaknesses, relationships of all sorts, and a world view we'd all do well to consider. -Steven Watkins, author of Pilgrim Strong: Rewriting My Story on the Way of St. James

The route of St Jean Pied de Port in the foothills of the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela represents one of the most popular Christian pilgrimages in the world. Walked by millions over the millennia it represents a force for spiritual transformation. This title offers a guide to the pilgrimage, including a fold out map and route planner, 33 daily stage maps with contour guides, 10 town maps including Santiago, a Sun Compass, to orientate your direction and information on all pilgrim hostels along the way together with details of alternative accommodation.

This book is a factual account of the challenges and joys of the Pilgrimage of El Camino de Santiago, The Way of St. James. It offers practical advice for preparing for it and enjoying the experience. If you like first-person accounts full of facts and reflection, you will like One Wanderful Walk.

Everyone that walks the Camino de Santiago has their own story to tell. In the fall of 2021, John, at age 67, walked 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. He walked with his friends Rick and Dave. This is John’s story. A story that turned out different than expected. Share his experiences along The Way of Saint James. Walking this ancient pilgrimage road, John learned to walk his own Camino through struggles and triumphs. Meet the special people he met along the way, his Camino Family. Learn about the history and myths webbed into the spiritual and inspiring journey on the Camino de Santiago. After reading this story, you will find yourself wanting to “Walk Your Own Camino” to make “Another Camino Story,” your own Camino Story. A combination of memoir, self-help, self-realization, and historical account of the Camino de Santiago, this story will capture your attention and imagination, and hopefully, help you on your own Camino through life.

Experience the powerful prose and poetry of Joyce Rupp with the beautiful full-color art of Mary Southard.

Suddenly downsized from her corporate telecom career, Canadian Sue Kenney walked 780 kilometers on a medieval pilgrimage route in Spain known as the Camino de Santiago de Compostella. She went alone in the winter with the intention of finding her life purpose. Blended with her profound experiences as a pilgrim, her athletic discipline as a competitive world class Master's rower and her extensive background in the telecommunications industry, Sue offers a unique perspective by sharing the lessons and virtues of being a simple pilgrim on the Camino, as a metaphor for being on a life journey with purpose. Sue has written a second book called Confessions of a Pilgrim.