Tell Me More About The Artsy Way Pilgrimage:
We start with two nights at a country villa near Santiago to begin our deep connections with each other and with Galicia, the Spanish region in which we will travel. Next we visit a beautiful historic monastery in Samos and hike to the scenic mountain pass and village of O Cebreiro, which has a significant historical impact on the Camino. Then, we walk from inn to inn on the last 100 km of the Camino, ending in Santiago de Compostela, with time to explore the city and visit the Cathedral, enshrined with the (mythical) relics of the apostle Saint James. We have an optional post trip excursion to coastal Finnesterre, long believed to be the end of the earth.
Our journey is unique because our focus is more than simply walking, although we will do plenty of that. We include an exploration and experience of the Camino through our senses, through sketching and watercolor painting, journaling, personal reflection, dynamic stretching, moments of meditation, and learning to observe our surroundings with all of our senses.
We share the history of the Camino, which begins long before the famous legend of Saint James, back to pre-Celtic peoples who lived throughout northern Iberia in hilltop villages, the remains of whose houses and towns are visible in Castros dotted throughout this region. The history of the Celts overlaps that of more ancient pagan peoples who also lived throughout northern Iberia, leaving dolmens, or standing stones, as well as evidence of their spiritual practices that still may be seen in contemporary Galego village traditions. The Romans left their mark throughout this area, seen in roadways, aqueducts, bridges and buildings that stand to this day. We will identify subtle signs of Roman construction on the walls of churches and municipal buildings along our journey, which will help us to see the details of the landscape around us as well as tangible signs of a very complicated history.
Although the Camino is a historic Christian pilgrimage, it is widely walked by people from all over the world, with many different beliefs and incentives for completing an arduous and personal journey. The history, stone architecture, colors, landscape, culture, and food of Galicia make this journey appealing to people of all beliefs. Because of our focus on art and travel journaling, we will take our time and really sink into pilgrimage mode, which will undoubtedly have different meanings for each person.
The walking distances listed in the itinerary are between our lodgings. We are limited in lodging choices that have enough rooms for our group. However, our private driver meets us throughout the day, so you can choose how long you want to walk; you may want a lift to the next stop, or to our lodging for the night, or walk the entire distance – it is your Way.
People with all types of watercolor experience are welcome. We especially invite those of you who believe you have “no artistic talent” or haven’t painted since elementary school. All you need is a desire to look closely and some instruction and practice in basic relationship skills; like other things in life, relationships are the key to drawing and painting. We will have fun learning and practicing how to notice our beautiful surroundings, using color and simple lines, shapes and values, as well as more about the historical and cultural significance of the Camino. After our time in Spain, immersed in beauty and a creative traveling community, you’ll return home with a personal journal documenting your journey.
About the Watercolor Sketching: Can I Come If I’m Not an Artist?
Some of us will be total beginners and others have been practicing for longer and are more skilled at drawing and painting. We especially welcome those of you who believe you have “no artistic talent,” “can’t draw,” or haven’t painted since elementary school. All you need is a desire to look closely and some instruction and practice in basic relationship skills; like other things in life, relationships are the key to drawing and painting.
We’ll provide you with a custom art set with colors chosen specifically for the Camino, and a travel journal that is small enough to take everywhere on the trip; it all fits in a quart size plastic bag. Brenda will share techniques for small, quick sketches that capture your experiences and impressions, using watercolor and pen and pencil. The act of taking time to look closely to notice relationships of line, value, and basic shapes around you will transform the way that you see your environment. Oh, the light, textures, and interesting subjects we will see!
Travel sketching is very different from creating a painting to hang on a wall. It is personal art for your own record of your pilgrimage. We promise that after the trip, each image in your journal will take you right back to that place you sketched on the Camino, regardless of how you “judge” the artwork.
We will also give daily writing prompts/historical information that you can add to your journal. You may decide to write more, sketch more, or simply take photos… It’s YOUR Artsy Way!
If you already have sketching practice, this is the perfect trip for you, with extra time to do your craft.
About the Hiking: Am I Fit Enough to do the Hiking on This Trip?
The distances that we walk are determined by lodging with enough rooms for our group. However, our private driver meets us throughout the day, so you can actually choose how long you want to walk; you may want a lift to the next stop, or to our lodging for the night, or walk the entire way.
The walks are up to 6 hours a day (up to 15 miles one day; most days are 7-9 miles) on a variety of surfaces, including country lanes, dirt trails, pavements, and cobblestone streets. The hiking is not difficult and does not have significant elevation gain, although there are lots of rolling hills, with some short steep ups and downs in places. Walking on the Camino is different from hikes at home in that we stop often to sketch or eat and relax at cafes along the way, so the mileage doesn’t feel as long as it sounds.
We share fitness & training tips for hiking and will send periodic reminders about training.
I Haven’t Participated in a Group Walking Trip. What if I’m Too Slow or Too Fast?
We want you to be able to hike at your own pace. With two hiking guides, we will always have a guide at the “sweep.” There will be times when we all intentionally walk together as a close group and other times when we may spread out, with some people walking ahead of the group or alone if you choose. Also, we will stop at key spots along the way to write or sketch. Every day we provide a daily guide with distances and an elevation profile so that you can track your progress throughout the day.
What is a Pilgrimage?
The simplest answer is that a pilgrimage is a journey on foot to a holy place, seeking connection. It provides time and space to process thoughts and emotions and to encounter self without daily distractions. The pilgrimage has been described as religious and non-religious, welcoming people of all faiths or no faiths. It also helps us to connect with other pilgrims, both companions and strangers.
On our journey, we will pass by (and sometimes stop to experience) numerous Catholic churches, shrines hand-made by other pilgrims, rivers and streams, light-filled forests, vistas, and rural communities with cobblestone streets and stone buildings time-etched through centuries. We will create and converse with each other, as well as strangers who share “the Way” (El Camino in Spanish). These places and experiences will be “holy” or “spiritual” (or not) in different ways for each of us. We will each commune with our deeper selves in our own unique way.
I Don’t Have Anyone in Mind to Room With. Can you Help Me Find a Roommate?
We will try to pair you with a roommate. We stay in small, locally owned accommodations, walking directly from lodging to lodging in pilgrim fashion, so solo rooms are limited to 4 single supplements for an additional cost.
What is the Food Like? Can this Trip Accommodate My Special Diet?
We will mostly be hiking through rural areas where there is not a huge variety of food. Breakfasts tend to be toast, cheese, ham, tomato, jams, almond cake, and fruit, with occasional eggs. Lunch options at small cafes are sandwiches, salad (usually a garden salad with hard boiled eggs and tuna), a Galician soup with beans and kale, a Spanish omelette or tortilla, a delicious egg and potato frittata and, sometimes, “pilgrim meals,” which are a set menu. Dinner is often a choice of meat or fish with potatoes, grilled peppers and a side salad. The area is known for a local cheese, octopus and other seafood, which is available in Santiago and a few places along The Way, but not at all the small inns.
There are vegetarian options, though not as varied as you might be used to. If you are gluten-free or vegan, you will have a harder time balancing your diet. Depending on your restrictions, it may be possible to bring extra supplemental food yourself. If you have questions, please email Andre (Andrecezanne@gmail.com) describing your diet restrictions. She will give you a call back to discuss if this trip is right for you.
Is it Too Late to Get Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is required for this trip. It is never too late to purchase it; however, if it is more than two weeks after you have made the initial deposit for the trip, any pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Each company has different rules, so please read the fine print carefully!
How Important is it to Pack Small and Light?
You will be staying at small inns/hotels that in most cases do not have elevators. You will be carrying your luggage up and down stairs. Practice carrying your packed luggage at home! We recommend a maximum luggage size of 22”X14”X9” because the luggage van is small and you need to be able to manage your own luggage. Laundry services are available at a couple of the hotels and you can wash out quick dry clothing in your room. Become part of the pilgrim culture by leaving the extras at home.
This Trip Recommends Trekking Poles, But I Don’t Want to Check a Bag.
Unfortunately, you cannot carry-on hiking poles, so you will need to check a bag. Be sure to carry on your day pack and the essentials for the trip. We will share packing strategies at our pre-trip Zoom meeting.
What Do I Need to Know Before the Trip?
We will schedule three zoom calls for our group berfore the trip, in April, June, and August to get to know each other and form our creative community, as well as cover training and fitness tips, packing tips, some of the interesting history of the Camino, and your questions. We have found starting to prepare for the trip well in advance builds excitement and support.
One unique Pilgrim tradition is to carry a small stone from home in your backpack, representing a burden that you carry. There is a special place at the end of the pilgrimage where we will leave our stones, unloading the “burden”. Some pilgrims also bring tiny symbols of loved ones to leave at trail markers along the way.