Many reasons

"Why are you walking back?" was the question i was asked several times today by pilgrims who just couldn't imagine a reason.  

I walked today from Portomarin to Vilei (on the outskirts of Sarria).  These pilgrims are about 5 days from Santiago.  Some just started today and are fresh and perky.  Others have been walking for weeks and are sore and tired.  One man as he asked jokingly continued, "are there no taxis?"  He was amazed that one would ever walk again after reaching Santiago... cuz he apparently never wanted to, if he ever made it.

One fresh footed pilgrim from Miami was astounded since her dream was only to walk six days to the Apostle's tomb.  She figured it was over then.  

But one man who stopped to talk was delighted.  He was on his sixth Camino. He had walked the Primitivo, the Camino Madrid (where he lived), the Camino de la Plata from Seville, and this was his third time on the Camino Frances.  His wife died this past year, so this year he walked alone... missing her very much...

There are many reasons pilgrims walk Camino and many blessings they receive along the way.  A joy comes in sharing with pilgrims that the visit to Santiago is a beginning to sharing the Apostle's blessings with others.  It is an honor to affirm the reasons that have pilgrims walking.... especially the pilgrims who know the blessings and rely on them.