Pilgrims
The Pilgrims' Way to Santiago de Compostela is not only about getting a certificate. Someone can enjoy beautiful countryside, feel strong emotions and think about life. But for me it was mainly about the people I have met. This route yearly passes pilgrims (Spanish: peregrinos) from all around the world and this series includes portraits of some of them. Doesn´t matter if a pilgrim walks alone or with somebody. To go to Santiago is a personal decision and it is a very special experience for each of them. I had a chance to spent longer time with some people, with others I had just a quick chat, but everyone left some impression. People have many different reasons why they are doing this route and that was what I was curious about. For some pilgrims Camino can be a blessing, for some others disappointment. You can meet a guy who walks every year a part of the route and Camino becomes part of his life. Or you can stumble upon a man who is looking for some answers, but at the end of his pilgrimage, he ends up with even more questions. I was enquiring about their backgrounds, life attitudes and problems and sharing mine with them. That made my pilgrimage the real Camino.
Luděk (Czech Republic) – met in Roncesvalles.
He used to work for a big IT company, but was fired. He doesn't feel resentment; instead, he was happy to go to Santiago. It has always been his dream and a challenge for him. He was asking: "if not now, when?" The main reason for his travel is the fact, that he likes places which "breathe history“.
He used to work for a big IT company, but was fired. He doesn't feel resentment; instead, he was happy to go to Santiago. It has always been his dream and a challenge for him. He was asking: "if not now, when?" The main reason for his travel is the fact, that he likes places which "breathe history“.
Ryan (USA, Arizona) – met near Larrasoaña.
He felt very bored at his home in Phoenix. He wanted an adventure. He doesn't mind to sleep outside or in a hut in the forest. After reaching Santiago he wants to hike through Ireland.
He felt very bored at his home in Phoenix. He wanted an adventure. He doesn't mind to sleep outside or in a hut in the forest. After reaching Santiago he wants to hike through Ireland.
Lukasz (Poland) – met in Pamplona.
He had already been to Santiago and was very disappointed. He went there wondering about what to do with his life. When he finally got there, he didn´t find any answer. Instead of that, he came back with more questions.
He had already been to Santiago and was very disappointed. He went there wondering about what to do with his life. When he finally got there, he didn´t find any answer. Instead of that, he came back with more questions.
Dinara (Italy) – met in Cizur Menor.
She is a student on holiday. She´s got very big problems with blisters on her feet, but wanted to go there because of religious reasons.
She is a student on holiday. She´s got very big problems with blisters on her feet, but wanted to go there because of religious reasons.
Walter (Argentina, Rosario) – met before Uterga.
He went on this trip by bike to make a report for National Geographic. He gave me a badge with pope Francis, who is his friend, as he told me.
He went on this trip by bike to make a report for National Geographic. He gave me a badge with pope Francis, who is his friend, as he told me.
Fabio (Brazil, Sao Paulo) – met before Obanos.
He quit his job in Italy at the airport. He was stressed and had a burnout. He wants to clear his head and think about his future.
He quit his job in Italy at the airport. He was stressed and had a burnout. He wants to clear his head and think about his future.
Gábor (Australia, originally from Hungary) – met near Ventosa.
He moved to Brisbane after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe to seek a better life. He decided to go to Santiago, because he likes Spain and its typical architecture. He is not in a hurry because he has two and a half month for his pilgrimage. He also wants to visit his birthplace and his daughter who lives in London.
He moved to Brisbane after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe to seek a better life. He decided to go to Santiago, because he likes Spain and its typical architecture. He is not in a hurry because he has two and a half month for his pilgrimage. He also wants to visit his birthplace and his daughter who lives in London.
Gony (Israel) – met in Viana.
After three years of required military service he lived in a community where they shared all the produce they made and he travelled for half a year through the whole of India. On the recommendation of his aunt, who went to Santiago, he also decided to come here. He wants to think about what to do in the future. He hopes to meet someone who will inspire him.
After three years of required military service he lived in a community where they shared all the produce they made and he travelled for half a year through the whole of India. On the recommendation of his aunt, who went to Santiago, he also decided to come here. He wants to think about what to do in the future. He hopes to meet someone who will inspire him.
Eve (USA, South Carolina) – met in Grañón.
She went there with her friend who was influenced by the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen. She joined her because she likes backpacking. Eve has a faster tempo, so she goes ahead by herself. All her life she has been a full time mother, so she wanted to take a rest, but be active at the same time and get to know another country. She is an independent woman, but she feels bad for leaving her 14-year old daughter at home. She wants to get back before her birthday.
She went there with her friend who was influenced by the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen. She joined her because she likes backpacking. Eve has a faster tempo, so she goes ahead by herself. All her life she has been a full time mother, so she wanted to take a rest, but be active at the same time and get to know another country. She is an independent woman, but she feels bad for leaving her 14-year old daughter at home. She wants to get back before her birthday.
Tihomir (Bulgaria) – met after Grañón.
After having finished studying TV and movie management, he was thinking about what to do next, because in Bulgaria there are not many possibilities of employment. He said that over the last year many things have changed in his life: relationships, he finished his studies, quit the job and very important person for his life passed away... He is a spiritual person, but not religious. Although he belongs to the orthodox church, he wants to maintain the distance from religious affairs.
After having finished studying TV and movie management, he was thinking about what to do next, because in Bulgaria there are not many possibilities of employment. He said that over the last year many things have changed in his life: relationships, he finished his studies, quit the job and very important person for his life passed away... He is a spiritual person, but not religious. Although he belongs to the orthodox church, he wants to maintain the distance from religious affairs.
Gariné (Australia, Armenian ancestry) – met in Hontanas.
She quit her job in the IT sector and decided to go to Camino without her boyfriend. She needs some time just for herself to clear her head. Camino is for her about knowing new people, their attitudes, country, beautiful places and about thinking. She has got a dream. When she comes back, maybe she will start to study medicine or work with adolescents.
She quit her job in the IT sector and decided to go to Camino without her boyfriend. She needs some time just for herself to clear her head. Camino is for her about knowing new people, their attitudes, country, beautiful places and about thinking. She has got a dream. When she comes back, maybe she will start to study medicine or work with adolescents.
Monika (Poland) – met in Villafranca Montes de Oca.
This pilgrimage is a strictly religious thing for her. In fact she don´t like hiking or even walking. Many people support her in the decision to do the pilgrimage, although some of them think she´ll become a nun after that. This pilgrimage is a religious sacrifice for her, she just has 25 days to get to Santiago, which is more than 800 km. So everyday she has to go a long distance on her swollen legs.
This pilgrimage is a strictly religious thing for her. In fact she don´t like hiking or even walking. Many people support her in the decision to do the pilgrimage, although some of them think she´ll become a nun after that. This pilgrimage is a religious sacrifice for her, she just has 25 days to get to Santiago, which is more than 800 km. So everyday she has to go a long distance on her swollen legs.
Brice (France) – met near Sahagún.
He already did Camino del Norte (St. James´ Way which leads by the coast of northern Spain). I´ve met him when he was coming back to Camino Francés, also by walk, which is more than 1600 km. The weather was rainy and he has seen many cabs and buses with pilgrims passing by. He thinks they are cheating just themselves. That is not a real pilgrimage in his opinion.
He already did Camino del Norte (St. James´ Way which leads by the coast of northern Spain). I´ve met him when he was coming back to Camino Francés, also by walk, which is more than 1600 km. The weather was rainy and he has seen many cabs and buses with pilgrims passing by. He thinks they are cheating just themselves. That is not a real pilgrimage in his opinion.
Te (South Korea) – met near Reliegos.
There are many religions in South Korea and Christianity is one of them with about 10% of the population following it. It was always a dream for him like for many Christians from his country to go to Santiago de Compostela. He finds Seoul very overcrowded, so he considers Spain with its calm villages to be an oasis of peace.
There are many religions in South Korea and Christianity is one of them with about 10% of the population following it. It was always a dream for him like for many Christians from his country to go to Santiago de Compostela. He finds Seoul very overcrowded, so he considers Spain with its calm villages to be an oasis of peace.
Marc (Spain, Mallorca) – met before Cruz de Ferro.
Marc wanted to do his own movie about Camino on bicycle.
Patrick (Ireland) – met before Astorga.
Like many Irish people on the Camino, he is also a Catholic. Patrick is more of a tourist, unlike those people that do it mainly for religious reasons. He finds the 800 km walk challenging, but he is not afraid of the bad weather.
Like many Irish people on the Camino, he is also a Catholic. Patrick is more of a tourist, unlike those people that do it mainly for religious reasons. He finds the 800 km walk challenging, but he is not afraid of the bad weather.
Evelyn (Germany) – met in Ruitelán.
She had started her pilgrimage in Pamplona not in the Pyrenees like many of the pilgrims. It is very tough for her to walk because she´s got a swollen leg. But she doesn´t want to take a bus. She likes meeting people from all around the world and talking to them. She had encountered 24 nationalities up to then.
She had started her pilgrimage in Pamplona not in the Pyrenees like many of the pilgrims. It is very tough for her to walk because she´s got a swollen leg. But she doesn´t want to take a bus. She likes meeting people from all around the world and talking to them. She had encountered 24 nationalities up to then.
Aly (Australia) – met before Santiago.
She works for the Australian government as an administrative worker. She wanted to have 2 months off and "switch off“, because she has been very busy. She wants to do the whole journey (to Finisterre) by walk.
She works for the Australian government as an administrative worker. She wanted to have 2 months off and "switch off“, because she has been very busy. She wants to do the whole journey (to Finisterre) by walk.
Heather (Canada) – met before Santiago.
Former gymnast, she used to have back pains during the journey, but she is coping OK with the backpack. She has more problems with blisters.
Former gymnast, she used to have back pains during the journey, but she is coping OK with the backpack. She has more problems with blisters.
Patrick (Scotland) – met in Finisterre.
I saw him at the moment when he came to the end of his journey, made the sign of a blessing, sat on a rock and enjoyed the view of the ocean. He travels a lot. Before Camino del Norte he also did Camino Francés, so he can compare them. Camino del Norte is nicer, but more difficult. It is more about enjoying the country, than about knowing new people, because it is not so popular. He would also like to try Camino La Plata. Camino definitely has become a part of his life.
I saw him at the moment when he came to the end of his journey, made the sign of a blessing, sat on a rock and enjoyed the view of the ocean. He travels a lot. Before Camino del Norte he also did Camino Francés, so he can compare them. Camino del Norte is nicer, but more difficult. It is more about enjoying the country, than about knowing new people, because it is not so popular. He would also like to try Camino La Plata. Camino definitely has become a part of his life.
Petra (Slovakia) – my camp-follower.
After quitting her job in PR agency she wanted to have a rest from her stressful work. Trekking through foreign country was the right way how to clear her head. She met many inspirational people, who shared their thoughts and attitudes with her. Although she has got a lot of blisters she didn´t care about them and other problems and kept going. She liked the life of a pilgrim and she would like to travel the world this way. She enjoyed every minute of Camino and was afraid of return to reality, to everyday life.
