Have you had the call to walk Camino de Santiago?
You may have heard stories of those that took the call to walk Camino de Santiago, and others waiting for the right time and/or courage to go. After all, the “French Way” is an 800 km walk across Spain following yellow arrows.
Walking a Camino is known to inspire change, awaken the senses and enliven the spirit.
My story…
You know that feeling, no matter what you do you feel as though you are swimming upstream? That was me before walking Camino de Santiago.
My intuition was prompting me to travel yet the “let’s be practical”, “You are not getting any younger” you are a Nanna now after all, was winning.
Rewind several years
27 years of marriage ended. While working and living quite comfortably one day the realisation I was a year older than I thought had me selling my home and giving away my possessions. Then venturing off to live a nomadic life of solo travel.
Time to settle down
Returning for the birth of my first grandson, and then soon after my second grandson was born. I decided to find myself a new home and settle down.
Developing my natural skills as a people person, I completed an Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy, a Certificate in Shamanic practice, and Certificate 4 in training and assessment.
Everything was going ok, I was connecting with women in the therapeutic field and setting up a new business holding one-one Art therapy sessions, workshops, and women’s circles. The problem was nothing felt right.
Call out for help
I asked spirit (call it what fits for you) for guidance.
I like to ask for answers in my dreams, as I did this time. Asking for a clear sign, travel, or continue on my current path. That night I dreamt I was buying a ticket to Thailand.
Decision made
I booked a retreat in Thailand, purchased some boxes, and started packing up my life again. Despite the monkey mind reminding me of my stupidity… within I had a sense of calm.
Then the fun began
Monday morning Irena called “I have to deliver a book to you today, I am coming past to drop it off” The book was; The Camino by Shirley MacLaine
Camino de Santiago was a vague memory of a film I had watched called “The Way”. However, an 800 km Pilgrimage on the “French Way” was not on my radar. I walk everywhere when travelling. Yet at home, the corner store and back was about it.
The following Wednesday, while waiting to have my purchase wrapped at a bookstore a woman walked in and asked if they had any books on Camino de Santiago, she was going to make a dream of hers come true, to walk the French Way on Camino de Santiago.
HMMMM… Now I am paying attention
Attending a funeral on Friday, I asked my friend why the funeral had been delayed. My girlfriend replied, “I was in Spain waiting for my partner to finish walking Camino de Santiago!!”
I had to hold back the tears. I knew at that moment I was being called to Camino de Santiago.
Off on another adventure!
Immediately I began researching what was in front of me. As often happens when you make clear decisions in life the doors began to open. The right equipment and support found their way to me effortlessly. Not fully understanding what was ahead of me, off I went.
Camino de Santiago here I come!!!
On reflection
Perhaps I was a little hasty in taking my dream literally. I could have just gone to Camino…
The truth is, doing the retreat prepared me emotionally and physically. The best surprise was my first client to do the full Camino was an Australian woman I met at the retreat… no mistakes ever.
Walking Camino de Santiago was the most inspiring adventure of my life. Crossroads Travel was born out of my desire to support others to step out of their own way and walk Camino de Santiago.
Trust the call when it arrives, Camino de Santiago awaits.
“Bone by bone, hair by hair, Wild Woman comes back. Through night dreams, through events half understood and half remembered…”
― Women Who Run With the Wolves
