At 19, Olivia is one of our Future Generation Ambassadors. This year Olivia decided to walk the Camino de Santiago on her own walking around 500 miles in 6 weeks. The Camino de Santiago is the ancient pilgrimage route crossing Spain which in Olivia's words '...was not only a huge physical challenge but also a real personal challenge as it proved I could do something by myself and for myself. On the journey, I met some truly inspirational people and lots of strong women. With no make up, no shaving, no technology or social media (as I just carried a brick phone) I felt so free.' Here she talks about what the journey meant to her....
Camino means path in Spanish. However, it also means journey. There are many different physical paths to reach Santiago but there are also many different spiritual journeys, unique to each individual. The routes of the Camino de Santiago stretch across the globe, they are not just confined to Spain, Portugal and France, as some pilgrims decide to walk straight from their homes from destinations across the world. The pilgrimage is steeply embedded in religion. Nevertheless, walking the Camino Francés, I discovered that regardless of whether you were religious or not, ultimately the Camino is a personal journey which encourages connection. This connection is multi-faceted. On one hand, it is your connection with the path. For me, my Camino was the 791km path from St Jean Pied de Port, in the French Pyrenees, to Santiago in North West Spain and then 87km path more to Finisterre. From the early hours of the morning to the late hours of the evening you are outside on the path which stretches in front of you, a seemingly interminable distance, which one day suddenly ends, surprising you. The path is the thread through the journey.
Then, there is the connection you share with the people you meet. For me, I met 40 different nationalities stretching across the globe from South Koreans, to South Americans to South Africans , formed friendships regardless of age and met people who in general day to day life I would not have ever met or made an effort to meet. On the Camino, hearts which may have been closed were allowed to open and spirits allowed to rise to the surface , encouraged by the physical and mental challenge of the way. Therefore, true connections with people became easier to form, not just the superficial ones we get into the habit of making. With this connection, I broke out of my bubble and preconceived stereotypes vanished as I realised people are just people. I realised that people are not rigid structures to be classified. Ultimately, people are just people.
However, essentially the Camino was about the connection with the self. It was a 5 and a bit week walk of listening to my physical and emotional needs. With no social media to distract me, just an emergency phone, I had no distractions from this personal journey. With no accommodation bookings or strict schedule to stick to in order to catch a plane, I had no kilometres that I needed to clock off each day. Even with my Camino friends there were rare occasions when we arranged to meet, we would just naturally drift together along the way. For once, my mind and heart were connected and I was listening.
On my journey, I encountered such wonderful people and places, that I became full up with this incredible energy and level of contentment. However, I did make mistakes and I did face tough moments along the way but I am a stronger as a result. For what I had craved was not a holiday but an experience, one which will continue to infiltrate into my life for years to come, and I believe I found it .
I was a girl without a plan and I thrived.
And so it ends, and yet it begins
Have you completed a journey on your own and want to share your story? If so, we'd love to hear from you - let us know info@above-water.co.ukor Facebook or Tweet us @LifeAboveWater
