Camino Frances (The French Way) scheduled for August 2022, will start in St Jean Pied de Port on 7 August and finishing in Santiago on 22 September. Pilgrims share their experiences and encourage participation from all. Photo: Supplied.
After watching ‘The Way’ in 2012, Shirley-Ann Poulton recalls being inspired to experience The Camino de Santiago first-hand.
Together with Judith and Teresa, both from Bateman Parish, they embarked on their first pilgrimage in 2014 – The ‘French Way’ which began in the French Pyrenees town of St Jean Pied de Port and finishing in Santiago (approximately 800 kms).
“Many would-be pilgrims are under the illusion that all Camino accommodation is in hostels, otherwise known as alberges in Spain, and have to carry their luggage in their backpacks. However, this is far from the truth.”
Fortunately, Dublin travel agent Silvia Montesdeoca, who is part of the Follow the Camino team, also known as One Foot Abroad, assisted with the arrangements.
All accommodation was booked into two, three or four-star hotels, however, the trio soon discovered that despite having two-stars, these hotels were more-than-adequate for a pilgrim’s needs with spotless accommodation, comfortable beds, and a hearty breakfast.
“Many of the hotels are family-owned-and-operated and they are very generous and familiar with the needs of their guests and can give all sorts of advice if needed to help you along your “Way”,” Shirley-Ann said.
“The hotels also offered three-course dinners, with wine, at a very reasonable cost of around $15. Part of our deal included having our luggage transferred for us each day to the next hotel, which meant we just carried backpacks with water, snacks for the journey and any other items we might require for the day.”
The group stayed two-nights in places like Pamplona (which is famous for the Running of the Bulls); Logrono; Burgos; Leon and Sarria and looked forward to spending two nights in a hotel, which meant they could have a sleep-in as well get their washing done.
“Every village had an old Church and we very much looked forward to attending the pilgrim’s Mass each evening in the Church, after enjoying dinner with new friends met on the day’s journey.”
When asked about some of the benefits of doing a Camino Santiago, Shirley-Ann cited that the “experience of a different culture, cuisine and environment,” was a treat. She added that one of her highlights was the opportunity to meet new, interesting people every day.
“The ever-changing scenery never fails to amaze me. Pilgrims can choose a path to walk quietly with their problems and thoughts,” Shirley-Ann explained.
“Then there are the streams where one can sit and just soak their feet in the cool water running down from a nearby hill or mountain. The walking is never boring as you don’t know what you will come across once you reach the bottom of a hill or go around a corner.”
Judith credits her decision to walk the Camino Santiago de Compostella as the most “profound choice” she has ever made.
“I knew I had wanted to do this for four or more years and when the timing was right and the opportunity arose, I booked my trip with two people, unknown to me at the time, and set about “training” and getting to know my travelling companions,” Judith said.
“I had never been a super fit person but ended up celebrating my 70th birthday halfway across Northern Spain. Very soon after I booked into my accommodation a chocolate and cool glass of juice appeared with birthday wishes.
“I thought how on earth did they know, but it was my passport that gave it away. You can imagine that to write about this experience in a few sentences is quite impossible. Many days were hard and painful but the like-minded beautiful people you encounter each day lighten the load by just walking in companionable silence or sharing experiences,” she added.
“The local people were so hospitable and quick to run up to you if you had taken a wrong turn along the path. Although the entire route is very well marked there is always someone, like me, who has no sense of direction!
“At the end of each day we had opportunities of attending Mass or sitting in on the beautiful, peaceful Vespers and receive a pilgrim’s blessing.”
With 2021 scheduled to be the Holy Year for the Camino de Santiago; a Jacobean Year or Holy Year of Compostela (however postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19), Shirley-Ann offered her hopes that the Camino Frances (The French Way), scheduled for August 2022, starting in St Jean Pied de Port on 7 August and finishing in Santiago on 22 September – will be participated by many.
“One of the many reasons to walk the Camino in a Holy Year is because, according to Jacobean tradition, all pilgrims who walk to Santiago de Compostela during a Holy Year and pass through the Holy Door of the Santiago Cathedral are forgiven all their sins. Otherwise known as a plenary indulgence which was started by Pope Calixto ll,” Shirley-Ann stated.
“The last Camino Holy Year was in 2010, and before that in 2004. The first Holy Year was in 1122, so it is a very long tradition. Camino Holy Years happen when St James’ Feast Day, 25 July, falls on a Sunday. The next Holy Years are 2027, 2032, 2038, 2049, and so on.
“Your Camino will be undertaken for reasons known only to yourself and can be as sacred as you want it to be, however there is no doubt it will be a very spiritual experience. You will encounter many different ethnicities all speaking their own languages, and there is a commonality along the way with Buen Camino (good walk), wishes each time you meet a fellow pilgrim,” she concluded.
The cost for this experience which includes 48 nights, breakfasts, and transfer of luggage is around $6000 per person for a twin room, depending on which hotel type is preferred.
For those interested in doing the Camino Frances you may contact Shirley-Ann Poulton at shirleyann.poulton@gmail.com or Silvia Montesdeoca at info@followthecamino.com