April 23, 2019

Dear Family,

I wanted to write to each of you personally, but due to time constraints, this form letter is a much more efficient way to reach you.

As you know, I will be going on an adventure in a few weeks. I will be walking “El Camino de Santiago” (The Way of St. James)  through northern Spain (the Galacia region). “The Way” is actually a number of different routes through various countries that all lead to the city of Santiago de Compostela where the remains of the apostle, St. James, are supposedly buried at the Cathedral de Compostela. During the Middle Ages, el Camino was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages.

I will be walking the Camino Portuguese. It technically begins in Lisbon (where I land), but our group will drive north to begin our approximate 60 mile hike at the Spanish border. I will walk anywhere from three to fourteen miles/day for six days, staying in various “rufigios” (towns) along the Way where I will collect the town’s official stamp of St. James in my “credencial” ( pilgrim’s passport) to earn my “compostela” (certificate of completion)  After attending the Pilgrim’s Mass at the Cathedral, we will drive to the town of Finisterre (“Land’s End”) on the western coast, once thought to be the end of the world. 

The symbol of the Camino is a scallop shell. Thousands of years ago, a scallop shell was collected at the coast as proof of completion. Today, the path is marked by signs with shells and travelers wear one to denote themselves as pilgrims (peregrinos). 

So now that I’ve addressed the “Who? What? Where? When? and How?”, I can address the “Why?”. Quite simply, I’m not sure. Even though Stephanie (and 10 others) will be there, it still feels like a solitary experience and that is a bit scary. I wish you could all be there with me, so I am asking you to choose  your own small symbol that I can carry along the Way. We’ll walk together in spirit!

This symbol can be anything that is meaningful and representative of you. You can place your own intention on it. I’d appreciate it if it was about the size of a small scallop shell. I will be sending you an envelope for easy mailing, but I wanted you to have some time to start considering. Also please think about whether you’d like me to leave your symbol along the Way, toss it into the ocean, or bring it back to you. You can let me know when you mail it or at any time.

Thank you for coming along for the ride! “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”- Lao Tzu

Many thanks and much love. Buen Camino!

Sheila/Aunt Sheila/Mom

Note: Photo credit- Marco our amazing tour guide