The Accidental Tourist

Tower of Belem Hany Farang summer 25 la concha

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.

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PereGringo by Morning

a dream of passing fire poem Katherine January

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.

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Book Review: The Camigas Scarf – Maiden 

camigas scarf book review summer 2025 la concha

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.

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Santiago Serendipity

rua san pedro santiago carol guttery summer 2025 la concha

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.

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Tired But Richer for the Camino

Watsons enroute to ponteveedra james sladack summer 2025 la concha

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.

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Worth Every Misery to Persevere

Santiago Cathedral Colleen Monahan summer 2025 la concha

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.

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Journeying Through Grief to Gratitude

journeying grief gratitude Dan Hamstra bridge summer 2025 la concha

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.

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Hiking Uphill

hill view after castrojeriz carol guttery

This poem by Rick Pawelski describes a pilgrim’s contrasting perspectives while climbing a hill and upon reaching the top.

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