The Things I Learned on my El Camino de Santiago

Good morning everyone:

It has been 6 months since I started my El Camino de Santiago (May 21 was my first day of walking).  Interesting, I have realized that my Camino journey is really my whole life.  The El Camino gave me an opportunity to slow down and reflect on my amazing journey.  I am so grateful for everyone in my life right now and all those I have met along the way.

In the past few years, I have learned that people can change and more importantly that I can change.

So this post is about the list of what I learned on the El Camino.  When I made this list a few months ago, I tucked it away, thinking that I would add more to it later on but when the opportunity came, this week, to share it with Lloyd Jones, Martin's father, I realized that the list is really complete. 

If you are thinking of walking the El Camino de Santiago or just wanting to know more about it, there are many blogs like mine, where you get the feel of the journey.  Enjoy my "take aways" and I hope that you will find your own, when you go on your own Camino.

The Things I Learned on my El Camino de Santiago

1) Take time away from people when you need it.  There will always be more people coming along.

2) Wear a wide brim hat, it keeps the rain off your glasses.

3) Watch for and accept kindnesses as they are given.

4) There is a difference between care taking and kindness.  Be aware of your motives.

5) Be gentle with yourself.  It is a long way and you have time.

6) Roll your sleeping bag up from the head opening to the feet, that keeps the dust from the road where it belongs.

7) Sometimes an extra 300m (one way) off the trail for coffee (and a pee) is worth it.

8) Everything in your pack needs a place, that way you will always remember where it is when you need it.

9) Sometimes idiot mittens were helpful as children... attach things to your pack.

10) Remember to bring everything you need to the bathroom in the morning, it will save you many trips.

11)  Be nice to slugs and move them out of the sun, everyone needs help once and a while.

12) Our bodies are amazing and can adjust to many things, even 30 km days.

13) Take time to smell the roses.

14) It can be fun to cook a meal with friends.

15) Remember that everyone you meet is there for a reason, it's ok to learn what you need and let them move on.

16) Like people in our lives, you will sometimes need a break from your pack to maintain a good relationship, send it ahead when you need to.

17) Always help a local Spaniard, if the opportunity arises, we are in their home.

Love 

Lauralee

My first 1/2 Marathon, October 30, 2016, in Niagara Falls.