Posts by Carol Guttery
The Accidental Tourist
In this essay, Hany Farag encourages pilgrims to embrace the role of “accidental tourist” by incorporating touristic stops before or along the Camino route for a deeper understanding of local culture and people.
Read More2025 Gathering of Pilgrims: Bridges of the Camino – Connecting Cultures & Hearts
Highlights, reflections, and remarks from the joint Gathering of Pilgrims co-hosted by the Canadian Company of Pilgrims and American Pilgrims on the Camino, held May 15-18 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Read MorePereGringo by Morning
These song lyrics by Robert Bain, set to the tune of George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning,” tell the tale of a guitar-playing peregrino who finds joy in strumming tunes while pilgrims from dozens of countries sing and hum along.
Read MoreBook Review: The Camigas Scarf – Maiden
A review of Alder Allensworth’s The Camigas Scarf: Maiden, the second novel in a planned three-part series inspired by an actual scarf that has created a special connection among women across many Caminos. In this hero’s journey tale, an archetypal cast of characters help Valerie advance on her maiden voyage.
Read MoreSantiago Serendipity
An American husband and wife are struck by the serendipitous moment that brings them together with a Chinese artist and an ethnic Chinese British subject from Hong Kong to share a meal at a restaurant in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Read MoreTired But Richer for the Camino
Two widowers in their 70s, friends since grade school though separated by time and life, embark on Camino together. Joined by family and friends, they arrive in Santiago tired but richer for the experience.
Read MoreWorth Every Misery to Persevere
After a series of disappointments starts to cloud her second Camino experience, a pilgrim dreams one night of a seemingly perfect pilgrimage where everything goes to plan. And yet, upon arrival in Santiago, her dream-self feels empty. Her subconscious seems to recognize that overcoming challenges along the way is what contributes to a sense of exhilaration in the end, changing her outlook for the rest of her journey.
Read MoreJourneying Through Grief to Gratitude
A widower on Camino to grieve the death of his wife creates the intention of dedicating each day of his walk to a person or group that was a blessing to him. Somewhere along the way, he discovers that his grief has turned to gratitude.
Read MoreChapter Happenings – Summer 2025
A Summer 2025 compilation of American Pilgrims on the Camino chapter happenings.
Read MoreHiking Uphill
This poem by Rick Pawelski describes a pilgrim’s contrasting perspectives while climbing a hill and upon reaching the top.
Read More