Challenge of Returning Home from Camino

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📰 Camino News

• Your Grief Is Welcome: A Pilgrimage for Bereaved Parents

• Why are record numbers of Australians becoming Camino converts? (useful website if you hit a paywall)

👍 Recommended Gear I Used This Year

I never thought I'd be jealous of another pilgrim's gear, but on my most recent Camino that all changed.

When I saw the Kutsuwa SS113BL HiLiNE Portable Scissors, it was love at first sight. After using them, I knew I needed a pair of my own.

These portable scissors with a sharp Japanese blade were a lifesaver on the Camino. They cut through blister tape and old Compeed with ease. Super compact and weighing next to nothing, these scissors are a dream to use. Every blister kit needs a pair!

They ship from the US, so are cheaper if you live stateside. The current price on Amazon US is $6.50 or £13.38 when shipped worldwide.

🏡 Camino Accommodation Recommendations

Casa Pascual – Camino Primitivo

This albergue stood out as my favorite among all the wonderful places I stayed in along the Camino Primitivo.

This charming albergue is tucked away in the small village of El Espín, just outside of Borres - Stage 4 on the Gronze stage breakdown.

Casa Pascual is a "donativo" albergue, run by the kind and welcoming hospitalero, Silvia. Silvia's loving renovations have given the albergue a cozy and homely vibe, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day on the Primitivo.

The garden, covered seating area and field at the back, give pilgrims the option to enjoy the company of others or the space to savour a moment of quiet reflection.

With only 11 beds in a spacious room, this albergue is a world away from the cramped municipal dormitories.

The communal dinner was a delicious homemade Italian affair, featuring a bruschetta starter piled high with local fresh tomatoes and basil, followed by a hearty vegetarian pasta dish.

Silvia takes reservations by phone in English, Spanish and in her native tongue, Italian.

If you get the chance, stay here, it’s a true Camino gem!

An Unexpected Challenge

The Camino Francés, the most well-known and popular route to Santiago de Compostela, is often spoken of as having 3 distinct stages: the body, mind, and the soul.

• The 1st stage, the BODY, stretches from St. Jean to Burgos. 

The initial weeks can be incredibly demanding on the body as you tackle the Pyrenees and adjust to walking long daily distances not often encountered in your everyday life.

• The MIND section takes you across the sun baked meseta.

Due to the often flat, arid expanses of this section, you don't have much in the way of scenery to distract you, so you're often left alone with your thoughts.

• The SOUL section marks your entry into Galicia.

You bid farewell to the sun-baked meseta and embrace the green of Galicia. You begin to reflect on what you've achieved and how home life awaits you.

The "body" section of the Camino, whether it's the Frances or any of the other long-distance routes, is where pilgrims devote a lot of their pre-trip time, energy, and worry. Just glance at YouTube and you'll see that first-day Camino vlogs dominate the view count.

Ending your journey can be equally tough, but for different reasons, and navigating this emotional shift is often an afterthought.

Having struggled myself and knowing others who have also found it difficult to adjust post-Camino, here's what has helped us when returning home:

• EAT. Reintroduce vegetables and variety into your diet, your body has been craving the nutrients. Pilgrim menus power your way to Santiago, but when the main vegetables on offer are chips, you owe it to your body to give it some nutritious, healthy food 🥗

• SLEEP. You'll likely return home more tired than you realise. Early starts and long walks take their toll. Now you're home, it's time to slow down and give your body what it craves: rest and recuperation 😴

• MOVE. Walk, run, cycle, swim - all great ways to keep your Camino legs strong and the post Camino blues in check 🚶‍♀️

• TALK. Talk to friends and family about your journey, share the joy you experienced. Some may not get it, but if you manage to inspire even one person to walk it, you’ve put them on a positive path 💬

• KINDNESS. For yourself and others. There will be moments where you want to run back to Camino or tell your boss where to stick their report. Take a deep breath and remember the kindness of all those “Buen Caminos” you gave and received on your journey 👐

• CONNECTION. Your Camino family is only a WhatsApp message away. They're probably experiencing the ups and downs of returning to normal life too. Why not drop them a hello? It could make their day, or even yours ❤️