Camino Footsteps: Reflections on a Journey to Santiago de Compostela

The Camino de Santiago is an ancient path from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, walked by ten of thousands of pilgrims since medieval times. Also known as the Way of St James and the Camino Frances, it covers a distance of almost 800km. To absorb the history, to touch the old stone of the buildings and bridges, to walk the path built over the centuries, to see the variety if architectural styles, from Roman and Moorish to medieval, to Gothic and Renaissance, and to be immersed in some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes - is a journey for heart and soul. For many, the Camino is undertaken with a clear purpose, whether personal, emotional or spiritual. To others it is a challenge in terms of fitness and stamina, to achieve a goal. For experience trekkers Kim and Malcolm Wells, it became a powerfully spiritual journey, and the common bond of peace and friendship formed amount the many pilgrims they met was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.