People Are the Way
People Are the Way
by Deborah Gonzalez | Athens, GA
Many see the Camino de Santiago as a road or a trail, but for me, it became something more. Spanish poet Antonio Machado once wrote, “Walker, there is no path. The path is made by walking.” I’d go a step further: the path is made by the people you meet along the way. Pilgrims often talk about how life-changing the Camino is, and almost universally, they point to the people as the highlight. Whether it’s communal dinners, unexpected kindness from “Camino angels,” or the way strangers open up without hesitation, there’s a rare depth of connection. People share without filters—maybe because the Camino exists outside of everyday life, or because there’s a sense of freedom in knowing you may never meet again.
I walked the Camino at a time when my hope in the world was waning. Back home in the United States, I felt overwhelmed by cruelty, despair, and the seemingly endless battles for justice and compassion. My heart was tired from years of advocacy—fighting the good fight and facing harsh backlash for it. I wasn’t sure I had any more to give. But on the Camino, something changed. My faith in people returned. Smiles crossed language barriers, and gestures of kindness created real bonds.
Older couples often “adopted” me along the way, and I felt safe in their presence. Pilgrims shared what they had: a piece of fruit, a cookie, a story, a GPS signal, a walk to the nearest pensión when I fell ill. In my journal, I tried to capture the beauty of the natural surroundings—the trees, the animals, the landscapes—but again and again, I found myself writing more about the people. They became the markers of my journey.
I remember their names: Mary, Trevor, Veronica, Kathy, Jim, Gareth, Annie, Jaime, Samuel, Russell, Meryl, Lily, Jesús, Yuun, Corrine, Barbara, Pat, Tomasi, Santiago, Alfie, Ravi, Andrea, Yifan, Joao, Catia, Alejandro. And so many others whose names I never learned, but who shared a moment, a glance, or a kind word.
In just over ten days, I encountered more humanity than I had in years. I came home filled with hope, compassion, and love. For that reason alone, the Camino was worth every step.
