When I was a child my dad would always disappear for a week once a year. My mom would vaguely say he was on a retreat, but I never really inquired much about it until I got older. In my 20’s I finally got around to asking my Dad where he went on his mysterious retreat once a year, and he told me he went to some Jesuit retreat center in Louisiana and didn’t talk. He said he just read, prayed, ate and walked around like a typical retreat, but everything was in silence and it was the best week of his life.

Even though the Camino seems simple enough, no one really talks about what a typical day looks like. I’m frequently asked- is it just walking?- and while it is mostly walking, I think it’s important to understand that this is more than a hike or walking trip.

The journey that travelers take while walking the Camino is spiritual and meaningful and so much fun.

August and early September have seen a very busy Camino. Even with the pilgrim mass being relocated to San Francisco Church, there was a line around the block to hug the Saint and see the remains of St. James inside the Cathedral in Santiago.

It was good to see the scaffolding removed from the front of the cathedral, but renovations continue on the sides and back of the church to prepare for the 2021 holy year.

Many times, after walking the Camino, travelers don’t want their experience to end. They can also feel overwhelmed with the crowds and people in Santiago and they long for the quiet trail of the Camino.

One way to extend the trip and have a reflective experience is by taking a day trip to Finisterre, translated as “The End of the Earth”.