Sophie Walks El Camino de Santiago

Sophie Miller Start Date: Mar 20, 2018 - End Date: Jul 19, 2018
  • Santiago de Compostela, Spain

My Travel Story

by: Sophie Miller Start Date: Mar 20, 2018 - End Date: Jul 19, 2018
Hi! I have started this campaign to reflect the upcoming pilgrimage I intend to complete: El Camino a Santiago de Compostela. 

I first learned of this pilgrimage through my studies. Since then, I'd thought about it again several times, but had never truly contemplated completing the trail. After my dad passed away this past October, I've been trying to grapple with how I could make him proud, but I knew I wanted to do it in a self-reflective way, one that would attest to just how deep the depths of his quiet, curious soul were.

Upon completion of his favorite book, The Alchemist, my eyes were drawn to the epilogue, and low and behold; the author, Paolo Coelho, wrote that he had completed El Camino and that it aided him on a lifelong spiritual quest. This seemed like a strong sign to me that I had found my next step in the world. My father was a lover of the outdoors and a disciplined man--qualities essential to completing this trek, and qualities which I dream of living out in his name. The walk will take 5 weeks, walking for the duration of each day, and I intend to do this for myself and for him, as I am certain he would have loved to complete this existential exchange by my side if he had been able. 

I intend to use this opportunity to participate in cultural exchanges between myself, those in the villages and albergues  (hostels for "pilgrims") I will cross, and everyone else on their own personal quest. It is my hope that upon completion of this journey, I will feel more connected to myself, the earth, the concepts of life, death, and rebirth, and most of all to my father. Anything and everything helps, and I appreciate you even taking time out of your day to read this. (: Thanks and cheers.

-with love, Sophie
  • Santiago de Compostela, Spain