Camino de Santiago: Credencial del Peregrino

I recently received my Credencial del Peregrino (Pilgrim passport) in the mail after submitting an online application at American Pilgrims. The credential identifies me as a pilgrim traveling on foot. When I register in the albergues or refugios in which I sleep along the Camino, I must show it to be stamped. To obtain my Compostela certificate, I must present the credential at the Pilgrims' Welcome Office in Santiago with completed stamps and dates. They require that I obtain two stamps per day throughout the final 100 kilometers on foot. It is in that office too that I will receive my final stamp. Since I'm planning to do the Camino in 60 days (give or take), I think it may be a good idea to ask for a second credential at St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in France where I will start.

I love the "Pilgrims Prayer" on the credential. Here's an excerpt: "God... Be their companion on the way, their guide at the crossroads, their strength in weariness, their defense in dangers, their shelter on the path, their shade in the heat, their light in darkness, their comfort in discouragement, and the firmness of their intentions; that through your guidance, they may arrive safely at the end of their journey and, enriched with grace and virtue, may return to their homes filled with salutary and lasting joy." (Click on the Pilgrims Prayer photo below to read the full prayer)

I also love-love-love the "Spirit of the Camino" listed on the credential. Here it is:

• Live in the moment
• Welcome each day - its pleasures and its challenges
• Make others feel welcome
• Share
• Feel the spirit of those who have gone before you
• Imagine those who will follow you
• Appreciate those who walk with you today 

Certainly applicable in life, not just on the Camino, if you ask my humble opinion.

Update: October 27, 2014

I ended up accumulating 3 books of credencials from my walk from SJPdP to Santiago de Compostela and a smaller one for my walk from Santiago to Finisterre (Fisterra). When I realized that bars, restaurants, churches, and museums along the Camino were also giving out stamps (in addition to the albergues), I started collecting them along the way. The result - a fabulous collection of souvenir stamps of places I'd visited! FYI, a new credencial cost about 2 euros each and you can purchase one at select albergues, pilgrims' offices, or gift/souvenir shops.

Next post: My Pack List

Previous post: The Why, What, When, and How

Camino de Santiago: The Why, What, When, and How

In less than 80 days, I will be going on a solo pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This trip has been on my bucket list ever since I read Paulo Coelho's "The Pilgrimage", about a decade ago. Curious at first about the journey, my motivation now to do the pilgrimage is out of devotion - this will be my personal walk for God. 

It is said that the mortal remains of San Tiago (St. James in Spanish), one of the twelve apostles and brother of John and cousin of Jesus, are found in Compostela. Legend has it that a shepherd had seen a bright star above a field in Spain after the death of Christ; soon after, the Virgin Mary and San Tiago went there to evangelize. The field became known as "Compostela", or the Star Field, and a city emerged drawing travelers from every part of the Christian world. Hence, the roads to Compostela, or the Camino, are symbolized by the scallop shell. They have been traveled by pilgrims since the Middle Ages. 

Most recently, the big screens have captured the essence of the Camino via "The Way" and "Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago". Said to be "life writ small", i.e., an analogy for life, the Camino has in modern times been traveled by many ordinary people who do it for various personal and secular reasons. Perhaps one of the most admirable and important traits to learn on the Camino is the ability to accept whatever life will throw at me and to make the most of it. Also, after a long discernment, finally making the decision to face the fear of getting out of my comfort zone to do this challenging trip, to travel simply as a pilgrim, is a lesson in itself. I look forward to understanding and gaining more insights about myself and about life in general on the trail.

Recently, I was fortuitously introduced to one of Salvador Dali's captivating paintings (Thanks, Ed!). His artwork beautifully captured the apostle St. James amid a scallop shell backdrop in majestic glory. There's more to the painting than I can explain, so if you're keen, here's an in-depth write-up about Dali's "Santiago El Grande". I hope to see the real work in person some day - I heard it's truly awe-inspiring.

Above: Dali's "Santiago El Grande"

So, what's there to expect? 

• 3 months (this summer)
• 3 countries (France, Spain, and Portugal)
• 3 languages
• 1 backpack
• 1 pair of good walking shoes. 

I will be flying into Paris, France, and taking the train southwest to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, in the French Pyrenees, where I will start my walk. I will be following Camino Frances, the most popular route for walking the Camino de Santiago. The walk distance is at least 500 miles (790 km) and I have budgeted sufficient time for sight-seeing and rest days. 

After I end my pilgrimage at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, I plan to walk a further distance to Finisterre (Land's End before Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas!). After Finisterre, I will find my way south to Porto, Portugal, where I will fly home. 

Accommodations will mostly be in budget refugios. And not to worry, I hope to brush up on my less-than-perfect Spanish before I leave. So, that's the general plan I trust to take with God's grace. Please pray for me, if you will. Thank you.

I hope to update this blog again with pre-Camino plans; I do plan to post updates while I'm on the road, where possible. Please drop by anytime! Buen Camino! 

God bless and pax vobiscum.

Next post: Credencial del Peregrino

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Yosemite National Park - An Educational Visit, California, USA - 2-7 March 2014

Above left: A heart-shaped cavity on the wall of El Capitan; 

Above right: Half Dome view from the meadow

Yosemite is no doubt a place of beauty and history and I remain enchanted even on my fourth visit there. This time around, I went as a chaperone for a group of junior high students. Our group's program was led by a NatureBridge educator.  It was a new experience for me to be with these young adults for 6 continuous full days. Although the experience was taxing, thanks to sleep deprivation, a lack of down time, and physical fatigue from the daily hikes, it was overall still a fun and restoring time for me to reconnect with nature. 

The kids learned a lot in just a week by getting out of their comfort zone. I noticed a positive change in them over time. They became more optimistic, worked better as a team, learned perseverance, communication, and trust, and gained new attitudes and perspectives about themselves and nature. Many of them were inspired by the silent spirit walk on the meadow - for these teen-agers, this was a chance for them to listen (to nature and to their inner voice) and learn in golden silence. They also discovered the spirit of stewardship - I loved how enthused the kids were about picking up other people's trash. I chuckled when a boy said to his buddy, "Is that another acorn cap (you picked up)?" The kids also learned about the scientific research process (observations, hypothesis, and constants/variables) in a fun and engaging way. The NatureBridge educator taught them games as a transition to learning. I was also fascinated to see the students conduct field science research on Tenaya Creek. They tested its water for PH level, turbidity (clarity), dissolved solids, oxygen level, and temperature. Physically, they conquered a challenging 6.5 mile hike on snow (in some parts, there was as much as a foot of snow on the ascent) and climbed through 2 dark talus caves over the week. 

Personally, I enjoyed the hikes, outdoor picnic lunches (one of them on snow - a first foray), gorgeous scenery, and awesome cool, crisp weather (thank God it only rained twice at night the week we were there). I was also grateful to see bright stars (and a shooting star!) on our night hikes. We saw deers and a bobcat on the trail too. Nature is SO amazing. I loved the calm and serenity and I have no one to thank but God for His wonderful creation. He has touched the hearts of each and everyone of us at Yosemite. Glory be to God.

Above: Bucks jousting

Above left: Morning fog near Curry Village in Yosemite Valley

Above left: Fireplace in a cabin at Crane Flat campus - rustic accommodation; 

Above right: Trail hike from Crane Flat campus to Fire Lookout

Above right: Fire Lookout at elevation 6,644 ft.

Above left: Trail hike from Crane Flat to Gin Flat (a 6.5 mile loop hike)

Above left: Back at Yosemite Valley; Above right: Spider cave near Yosemite Falls

Above left: Yosemite Falls (2,425 ft)

Above right: Tenaya Creek

Above: Split Rock at Yosemite Valley

You may also like: Yosemite - May 2009

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