In all cultures, there is usually a fairly standard greeting that local people use to greet one another. When I am at home in Australia one of the most used phrases is Hi, how are you… In Spain, it is Hola Que tal (Hello, how are you)
Camino greeting
Along Camino de Santiago, pilgrims will greet you with the phrase “Buen Camino,” in Spain, or “Bom Caminho” in Portugal. Literally translated it says “good way”. A greeting understood as, enjoy your walk, have a good day. A recognition of the fact that you are among others who, as you, are walking a Pilgrimage.
You will find that this simple little phrase is greatly appreciated among a multi-lingual path. It is a fantastic opening line that can lead to a conversation with people you meet along the way. Or if you are there to be with yourself, it will be acknowledgement as you pass by, yet if you do not engage it will be known and other Pilgrims will simply continue on their way.
One thing is definite, you will never have to be alone if you don’t want to. With this little phrase, you are part of the collective of Pilgrims with packs on their backs following yellow arrows to guide the way.
