I do not know if I have it in me to walk even those 50 miles to the end. I really respect the people who feel strongly enough in their faith to undergo such a long and strenuous journey, and I am sure for them it is also quite a rewarding experience. I am still undecided if I want to attempt a greater portion of the Camino! Maybe this summer, once school is out of session.
The Camino is at its roots a Christian pilgrimage. The pilgrims undertaking this route along the north of Spain are attempting to follow in the footsteps of St. James the Apostle as he made his way across Spain, attemping (supposedly mostly unsuccessfully) to spread Christianity to Spain before returning to Jerusalem. After St. James' martyrdom, his remains were reportedly taken by his followers by boat across the Mediterranean Sea and up to Galicia. Here, his followers landed and brought their Saint's remains to what would become the city of Santiago de Compostela. Spain's political and cultural histories are largely entertwined with the history of the Catholic Church in Spain. Consequently, the pilgrimage has been an important part of Spanish history ever since St. James' remains were rediscovered in the 9th century.
