Pilgrim, tourist or Camino Traveller

It started as a mere thought as we crossed the Meseta and continued to manifest itself into topics of conversations as we ventured from Albergue to Albergue.  The origin stemmed from a rest stop; one of many, taken as we traversed ‘the way.’  As we dodged the toilet paper that grows wild like rape seed and dislodged our pack, we noticed the scrawled writing on the back of a sign.   Small in stature but packing a thought provoking wallop; the words simply stated:  ‘Pilgrim 10%, tourist 90% - which are you?’

Which indeed!  We had used the word pilgrim, pilgrimage and peregrino at every opportunity like a cheap rapper dropping beats to the nosebleed section, but were we simply a tourist feeding on the St James economy?   If we were a tourist, did this somehow render what we were doing null and void; were we indeed cheapening the experience by somehow embarking on a Contiki Camino?  True, we were not undertaking the journey for a religious experience or in the hope of a life changing epiphany but rather a challenging opportunity to journey together and reflect in a simplistic manner.  Surely that equated to a pilgrimage. Deep down that scrawl reverberated. We didn’t feel like a tourist, who demanded instant gratification, nor were we carrying a bible. The way of it is; we were just two individuals, stripping back our busy life and enjoying the monotony of seeking out the yellow arrow & ceramic shell.   

Certainly, we did see a few religious zealots, who chewed our ears off with their own slant of biblical verses and traditions; which strangely matched their own agenda, (the likes of 'God Hates Divorce' tshirt or the carrying of one’s own substantial crucifix.)  In reality, along ‘The Way’ there are no tourists but rather Camino Travellers.  We first heard this term when we were espousing our dilemma at the Municipal Albergue in Sahagun. This particular group of liked minded travellers had all completed the Camino on multiple occasions and as the vino tinto flowed, the discussion raged. Our fellow walkers clearly articulated that there is no right or wrong way to partake of the Camino. In essence, the Camino is your way and no book, individual or piece of graffiti can define it  – you must experience it yourself and take away from it what you will.  We are all travellers and the Camino is our canvas; where we share stories, form friendships and build a community that supports, nurtures and grows.

  We are proud to be Camino travellers of 'The Way'.  Who needs to be a pilgrim when you can be a traveller?