What Actually Happens Each Day on the Camino?

By Varsity Caminos

Read Camino de Santiago stories, reflections, and practical pilgrimage advice from Varsity Caminos.

My typical day in the USA is filled with deadlines, 1,000 emails and text messages, and sometimes I don’t feel like I get a break until 2 p.m. on a Saturday when I’m listening to my audiobook while doing dishes.

I think that is what gets so many of us absolutely burnt out.

The Camino is very different. Each day, you walk to the next town, and really, that is all you need to worry about.

The Morning: Coffee, Breakfast, and Getting Started

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On a typical day, you wake up and get started around 7 or 8, depending on the season. I need to get my coffee, otherwise I turn into a monster.

I was very proud of myself because I went coffeefree for two months, but then my son Frankie decided not to sleep for a week, and now I am an addict again.

But Spain has awesome café con leche, which is basically a cappuccino. My favorite is when I can find a chorizo omelet sandwich. As my friends and wife can attest, I also need my protein so I don’t turn into a monster.

Then you hit the road.

The Walking: Simple, Beautiful, and Surprisingly Peaceful

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Most days on the Camino, you walk around 10 to 15 miles a day, which is about 4 to 5.5 hours of walking depending on your pace.

I am a pretty speedy person, but I make up for my speed with plenty of breaks.

The Spanish countryside is absolutely beautiful, and I try really, really hard not to touch my phone and to touch grass instead.

The Conversations: The Best Part of the Camino

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My favorite part of walking is being able to talk to your fellow pilgrims.

Especially when we take a group, I try really hard to walk with everyone at least once. Name another time when you get an excuse to talk with other Catholics for five hours at a time?

With that much time, you are really able to talk about the deeper things. It can feel really refreshing in a world full of short, quick conversations.

Lunch and Rest: The Spanish Way

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Around noon, you get into the town where you are staying for the day. I like to drop off my big, heavy pack and get into my sandals. Yes, even during the winter.

Around 2 p.m. is when the Spanish have their big meal of the day, so after dropping off my stuff, it is typically time to head over to the restaurant.

Because I love food, we probably spend a bit too much on our groups so we can go and eat well.

After lunch, I typically take some time to myself to pray, journal, or sometimes just walk around the town and do a bit of exploring.

Evening: Mass and Community

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Then, in the evening, we have the most important part of the day: Mass at the local Spanish church.

I used to understand almost nothing at Mass in Spanish, but with no help from Duolingo and a lot of time with my Spanish tutor, I can actually get something out of a Spanish homily now.

After Mass, it is time for community. We will either go to a restaurant for wine and appetizers, or sometimes we will take food and drinks back to our albergue.

It is a great time for fellowship.

Then You Sleep Hard

After a full day, I typically fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

The best part is that you get to do it all again the next day.

Why It Works

That is the gift of the Camino. For a few days, life gets really simple.

You walk. You pray. You eat. You talk. You go to Mass. You rest.

It is not complicated, but that is why it works.

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