Camino de Santiago

Buen Camino

Shitanshu Maurya

— 2 min read
Buen Camino
Distance to the Compostela after the end of Day One.

For many months, I breathed and dreamt MBA admissions. Giving the GMAT over five times and taking the utmost care in writing my applications, I did not imagine a possibility where I wouldn’t get in anywhere. So when that happened, I was shook. It was the biggest rejection of my life.

I couldn’t just act like nothing happened and go back to the daily grind. A few days after I realised I was not going to business school this year, I decided to quit my job. It was a thought-out impulsive decision. I had been looking forward to not working once I got admitted. I didn‘t see why it still couldn’t happen. After jumping from one job to the next and working for over seven years, it was time for a break.

I had heard about the Camino de Santiago over two years ago on one of my treks. But when would I ever take out five weeks to walk the 790 kilometers from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain?

The starting point of the Camino at St. Jean

Walking 41655 steps from St. Jean to Roncasvalles on the first day, considered to be the most difficult stretch of the Camino, I had a few observations:

  1. There is a sense of camaraderie among the pilgrims. The shared experience of taking on the challenge of walking this distance makes us feel that we’re part of something larger. Everyone greets each other, and people are interested in helping each other out.
  2. There’s a lot of solo travellers on the Camino. I’ve been on many treks and usually people come in groups or pairs. Today, more often than not, I met individuals from 25 to 75, who’ve come to the Camino by themselves.
  3. There’s a LOT of interesting people walking the Camino. In just one day, I met someone who studied in the same school as I, a professor of ecology from Colombia who attempted to climb the Nanda Devi, and a seventy-something couple who have previously taken their boat around the world with their children.
  4. I am forgetful. I put my towel out to dry at the albergue (hostel) in St. Jean Pied de Port. It’s still there.
  5. The Camino is exceptionally beautiful and peaceful.

That is all for today. My body needs some well deserved rest. Buenos Dias!

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