This week's Moment of Travel Zen comes to us from David Freifeld of the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain.
"Every year, millions of people from all over the world travel to the ancient Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Of these millions, over 100,000 individuals arrive on foot upon a centuries-old pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago. A 500-mile footpath, the Camino traditionally begins in the Pyrenees and winds its way across northern Spain to the final region of Galicia. After walking for seven consecutive weeks, carrying only a backpack and a walking stick, I arrived in Santiago on June 24, 2012—joining the countless number of pilgrims before me to have completed the trek.
Nowadays, the notion of walking 500 miles seems archaic and impractical (I should mention that the entire trip can be completed by car in all of eight hours), yet I guarantee that even as you read this sentence, hundreds of people are making their way towards Galicia. Most, if not all of them, are walking for two reasons: 1) the “surface”: well I have always been intrigued by the trip… and 2) the “honest”: I’m seeking direction for some new challenge in my life…”
The impetus for my Camino was a diagnosis: Multiple System Atrophy. Most likened to Lou Gehrig’s, MSA is a swift and terminal neurodegenerative disease. So when it befell my father, it hit with a vicious blend of shock, injustice, grief, and uncertainty. And though I could not change the prognosis, I decided to dedicate my Camino to my beloved dad—fully aware that he would soon lose his ability to walk entirely.
Upon arrival to the Pyrenees, I immediately found myself surrounded by other pilgrims. I walked with widows, the unemployed, families, broken hearts, the young and old. Each one clouded by his or her circumstances, but all seeking balance. Unlike other hikes, this walk is not about self-sufficiency or survival; rather, it’s humility and the joy of learning from whomever you’re with.
At its essence, a pilgrimage is a journey marked by horizons, both geographical and personal. Whether facing the peak of a mountain or seemingly endless plains, the Camino does not offer shortcuts or detours. Instead, it decelerates life down from 60 miles per hour to one step at a time. Each obstacle must be taken in stride with a welcome awareness for whatever comes next. As the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke once said, “Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."
Where have you traveled for a moment of zen? Email travel@huffingtonpost.com with your travel zen or submit below.
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Camino de Santiago in Spain
-David Freifeld Durham, North Carolina <a href="https://twitter.com/defreifeld" target="_blank">@defreifeld</a>
Camino de Santiago in Spain
-David Freifeld Durham, North Carolina <a href="https://twitter.com/defreifeld" target="_blank">@defreifeld</a>
Raleigh, North Carolina
Taken near Raleigh, North Carolina in July of this year. -Anna Marie Jehorek <a href="www.PullOverandLetMeOut.com" target="_blank">www.PullOverandLetMeOut.com</a>
Bijapur in India
These are Sunflower fields seen on the road from Solapur to Bijapur in India. The burst of yellow is simultaneously soothing and blinding in the otherwise arid land. The photo was taken in Nov 2012 when I was on my way to Hampi by road. -Archana <a href="http://yenforblue.blogspot.in/2012/12/the-best-way-to-really-know-our-country.html" target="_blank">http://yenforblue.blogspot.in/2012/12/the-best-way-to-really-know-our-country.html</a>
Narita in Japan
Overflying the rice fields outside of Narita Japan on final approach. Note the airplane shadow. -Jeffrey Roehr
County Monaghan, Ireland
The drumlins of County Monaghan, Ireland (taken near Castleblayney) -Jill Guest
-Miranda Andersson
Most Na Soci, Slovenia
-Sarah Steegar
Camino de Santiago in Spain
-David Freifeld Durham, North Carolina <a href="https://twitter.com/defreifeld" target="_blank">@defreifeld</a>
And to see our past featured Moments of Travel Zen...
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Waterfalls in the Philippines
-Melissa DeCastro
Waterfalls in the Philippines
-Melissa DeCastro
Hidden Valley Inn, Belize
This waterfall I photographed at the Hidden Valley Inn, Belize. You can actually hire it for a day and have your own private waterfall. -Fred van Eijk Netherlands Travel & Lifestyle Writer and Blogger <a href="https://twitter.com/fredvaneijk_en" target="_blank">@fredvaneijk_en</a>
Cascades in Giles County, Va.
Here are some photos of the Cascades in Giles County, Va. -Abbie Sanders
Cascades in Giles County, Va.
Here are some photos of the Cascades in Giles County, Va. -Abbie Sanders
Cascade Falls
-Angela Scott
Chagrin Falls, OH
-Christina Valle
Iceland
Over 1km of water trickling through the lava fields in Iceland. Photo taken on a recent G Adventures trip. -Erin Buttler
Cascade Falls
Taken on Wednesday, July 3rd 2013. The rain stopped that afternoon just long enough for us to get a few pictures. -Jennifer Croft
Panther Creek Falls
Hidden away, just north of the Columbia River in Washington, sits Panther Creek Falls. "Sometimes I dream in waterfalls" More photos from the falls can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatReesePDX/media_set?set=a.10103166614885320.1073741834.13943955&type=3" target="_blank">here</a>. -Kat Reese
Cascade Falls in Pembroke, Va.
-Marlene Benfield
Niagara Falls, Canada
Maid of the Mist boat approaching Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls. -Osvaldo Frias New York, NY
Niagara, New York
To see the Niagara Falls is an experience of a lifetime. And to see a rainbow there makes it doubly so :) This was taken from the Maid of the Mist on 11-May-2013. -Pallavi Kamat
Tresaith in West Wales
This is a waterfall in a beach side town in West Wales called 'Tresaith'. Tresaith is set in a small sheltered sandy bay named after the River Saith which cascades as a waterfall over the cliffs to the beach. This image was taken on my old iphone last October hence not great quality. The location itself and the waterfall is just stunning. You should visit some time, rooms in The Ship are quite cheap and lovely, all overlooking the sea! -Nia Evans <a href="http://30pluswanderlust.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">30pluswanderlust</a>
Hideout Hollow
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Grant_Scarsdale"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100004204603367/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Grant_Scarsdale">Grant Scarsdale</a>:<br />Buffalo National River in Northwest Arkansas- United States' First National River
Milford Sound waterfall
This is one of the numerous glorious waterfalls cascading down the mountains into Milford Sound in southern New Zealand. -<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Rickne" target="_blank">Rickne</a>
Hammerschmidt Falls
John Paul Hammerschmidt was the Congressman that was instrumental in getting the Buffalo National River designated as the Nation's first National River. -<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Grant_Scarsdale" target="_blank">Grant Scarsdale</a>
Iguazu Falls
-<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/allepatt" target="_blank">allepatt</a>
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