What is the Camino de Santiago?

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I have now been back in Toronto for over a week and what a time it has been. Your support, congratulations and best wishes have been overwhelming.

It has been an unbelievable welcome home and I thank you all so much.

I promised you 2 more blog posts, and this is the first. The second will be a final update on Urban Squash Toronto.

Many of you have asked - What is the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino is often referred to as “The Way of St James”. James was one of Christ’s disciples and after Christ died, James went to Finisterre, Spain to preach to the pagan population. Apparently, his preaching met with limited success and he returned to Jerusalem where he was beheaded by King Herod in 42AD. Following his martyrdom, his disciples brought his body back to Finisterre and eventually to Santiago, Spain.

St James Remains - below the altar in the Santiago Cathedral

The story remerges in 813 when a Shepherd was brought to the area by a bright light or star. As a result, a bishop seized the moment and confirmed the discovery of St. James in a tomb. As a result, St. James became the patron saint of Spain, a position that he holds to this day.

The first written record of a pilgrimage to Santiago was when bishop Gotescalco journeyed there in 950 and in 1072 Alphonso the 6^th abolished tolls for all pilgrims travelling to Santiago.

The section that I did, which is the most popular, is referred to as the French Way from St. Jean Pied de Port, however, there are many routes across Europe which you will see in the map below.

The many Camino routes across Spain and Europe

In medieval times, over 250,000 pilgrims went on pilgrimage to Santiago. The promise was that if they arrived safely, they would go to heaven and have all of their sins forgiven. You might now notice a heavenly glow around my presence as you might imagine, my sins have now been forgiven – I know that is a bit of a stretch, but I am going with it anyway!!

In the early 80’s the Camino had fallen to a few thousand pilgrims but a Priest and the state of Spain decided to rebuild the pilgrimage. This year there will be over 200,000 pilgrims making the journey and it appears to be a growing number.

The movie, The Way which was the instigation for my doing this journey, has had a significant impact on the growing popularity of the Camino. As well as I mentioned during my communications, I was surprised how few made this journey with religious motives.

Santiago Cathedral

However, there is a daily mass at 12noon in the Santiago Cathedral that almost all who complete the Camino attend, regardless of religion.

Most pilgrims use a book by John Brierley which you will see below. His book spells out how to do the journey on a step by step basis and in fact promotes a 33 stage effort to complete the Camino.

A Pilgrims Guide to the Camino de Santiago

I hope this answers any questions you may have about the origins of the Camino de Santiago. 

If you have not had the opportunity to donate to Urban Squash Toronto in relation to my Camino trek, please do so by clicking on the picture of me at the top right hand side of the this blog under the barometer.

Look forward to my update on Urban Squash next week. That will be the end of my blogs on the Camino de Santiago.

Clive

Final destination - Finisterre

My family, friends and supporters,

On Monday, I arrived in Santiago, attended the Pilgrims' mass and completed the Camino de Santiago. Or as often referred to, The Way of St James. As mentioned in my previous blog, I had one more job to do to complete my task.

  

Clive on the roof of the Santiago Cathedral

I had to get to Finisterre which in medieval times, was considered the end of the world. On Thursday, I completed that objective. I was hoping for an easy end to this adventure but unfortunately I was mistaken.

On the last two days, I completed 35 km, over eight hours, and 31 km over seven hours. At 62, I can assure you, it was no picnic!!!

Thursday night, I went to the lighthouse in Finisterre, to see the sun down, on a beautiful night in Spain.

Sunset in Finisterre

As usual, I ran into many people, who I had met and become friends with over my Camino experience. A new friend, Jerry, joined me on that final walk. 

I can't think of a better way, to have finished this adventure than with the view you see photographed above.

I returned to Santiago this morning by bus, prior to returning to Toronto on Sunday for a Thanksgiving dinner celebration with family.

Clive

Camino de Santiago Complete!

My family, friends and supporters,

Today, Monday October 7th  I completed my Camino de Santiago. I still have to go to Finisterre and the end of the world, but this was such a special day and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Yesterday I walked 32 km, so that I would only be 8 km from Santiago. As a result, I left in darkness at 7:45 am, and arrived in Santiago at 9:30 am.

Even during that time on the road, realizing this was the conclusion of my walk across northern Spain on the Camino, I felt a lot of emotions.

Every day at 12 noon, there is a Pilgrims Mass, at the main Cathedral of Santiago. I headed immediately to the Cathedral.

The Santiago Cathedral

I saw so many friends and individuals that I had met during my Camino experience. We all congratulated each other on our successful Camino, hugged and kissed and wished each other well.

Because it was a Monday, I thought it might have been a small gathering, but I was mistaken. The cathedral was overflowing.

The mass was done in Spanish, so I did not understand a word that was said but it did not matter. The emotions and good feelings were overflowing.

The Altar at the Santiago Cathedral

There was one section during the mass, when six priests spoke to the congregation in their native tongue. The English priest, asked us to remember the support and good feelings that we exhibited during the Camino and asked us to continue those feelings, as we headed back to our day-to-day lives.

I am not a Catholic, however when they gave out the sacrament, I went to the altar and received a blessing from the priest. I was thrilled I did.

My only regret, was I ran into a Toronto based, Israeli, who I had walked with a few days before and he reached out to me just as I was to go to the altar. I wish I had insisted that he join me for a blessing.

I'm sure he would have come, such were the feelings of the day and the wonderful sense of humanity that existed not only today, but throughout the Camino experience.

I feel so proud and humbled, by this Camino experience. And the support that you have all shown me, both financially and emotionally, will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I still have more to communicate to you, including The history of the Camino de Santiago, as well as Urban Squash, Toronto. So you are not finished with me yet.

But I wanted to share this very special day with you.

With much love and thanks,

Buen Camino

Clive

$100,000 goal surpassed!

My family, friends, supporters and soon to be supporters,

WOW, congratulations to all of you for helping me reach my $100K goal BEFORE completing the end of my trek. If you have not had the opportunity to donate, please don't let this stop you - UST is an incredible cause and overachieving would be a good thing!

Let me add a little incentive, to those of you who have already donated. When I return from the Camino, I am going to send a DVD of The Way, the movie with Martin Sheen, that inspired me to tackle the Camino, to anyone who has donated $500 or more. As you know, that is an extremely generous offer, considering how expensive DVDs are today! So, if you're so inclined, please consider increasing your donation up to that level, and you will get your very own copy.

Camino Trail Marker

On October 2nd, it had been 26 days on the Camino de Santiago, I am getting very close to the finish. I am now less than 150 km from Santiago. Once I get to Santiago, I am going to go the further distance to Finistere , as I originally promised.

My body continues to hold up remarkably well. I continue to have minor issues with a small blister, but it has not been a serious problem.

About 10 days ago, I thought it was possible that I may not be able to finish my Camino. I developed a serious pain, in my right shin, above the ankle. I went to a local hospital, it was diagnosed as tendinitis, I received some medication, took a day off, and got on my way.

It has remained a unique, lifetime experience.

Beautiful sunset leaving Orbigo

The places I have visited and the people I have met have been remarkable.

Church in Fromista  - circa 1066

City Hall in the beautiful chocolate capital - Astoga

I enjoyed the town of Leon, both the Cathedral in the main square, and the Parador hotel, where Martin Sheen stayed in the movie. Incredible.

Cathedral in the main square of Leon

Parador Hotel - Martin Sheen stays in this hotel in the movie "The Way"

The Camino this fall has been extremely busy and I started having troubles getting somewhere to stay. A friend, and Cambridge Member, Gerry, referred me to an individual, who helps people on the Camino. He was remarkable and helped me get accommodation all the way to the finish, in Santiago.

I have met so many people, but perhaps the most unique and special, were Peter, Jean, Patrick and Catherine from Great Britain.

My new Camino friends

Separately, they have done parts of the Camino, a number of times over the years. But this year, they are doing the entire Camino, and they are not spring chickens.

They are being met by a friend, a priest, and a minister, 100 km from Santiago who are joining them walking into the finish.  And in Santiago, they are being met by their family members, children and grandchildren, welcoming them as they finish this historic adventure/pilgrimage.

It has been wonderful to have gotten to know them over the last 10 days.

The Iron Cross in unfavourable weather conditions

Although I thought being in the homestretch, it was going to be quite easy and simple from here. But unfortunately, that is not the case.

Two days ago and yesterday, I had to do 30 plus km each day. Yesterday, the last 8 km was straight up hill. And today, which was a simple 21 km, was in the worst rain, wind and fog of the entire Camino. But I survived to endure another day.

Such an experience this Camino de Santiago. So many people, so many stories, such an endurance effort.

Before I return, I am going to give you a brief history of the Camino, and what it is. I am also going to give you a brief history of Urban Squash, and what has been accomplished over the years.

  

It’s been tough on the Camino and I am certainly pushing my physical limits but I am committed to finish strong. Please help me surpass my fundraising goal just as strongly by donating to UST if you have not done so already.

Many thanks,

Clive