The northern route of the Camino de Santiago increases year after year, their popularity The pilgrims’ hostel has a full house since early June

In 2006, following the Holy Year Lebaniegos, Comillas decided to open the doors of the hostel for pilgrims. Since then, there’s been about 5,000 people, and as time passes with more regulars. Since June this year and so far 1,500 people have enjoyed the two visits of the ‘Pena’, which seats 20 people. The building that now these walkers overnight was built in 1879 and was formerly used as a prison. In Argentina we could find a pilgrim at the door of the hostel, we commented how you like the fact that it will spend the night in an old jail. He says he had no idea, but I had noticed the barred windows.

Each pilgrim with whom you speak differently live experience of the Camino de Santiago. They are of all ages and nationalities, mostly Spanish, French and Germans, but also drop by the hostel, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Norwegian, American, Canadian, Swiss, Chilean, etc.. When asked what motive drives them to make such an experience, there are those who confess openly religious, and who recognize that practice cheap tourism, for cultural reasons, such as sporting challenge especially cyclists, for solitude and to meet people also for making a promise, as did Luis Aragones, the former Entrador of the Spanish football team, which in 2008 said that if they won the Euro would make the pilgrimage to Santiago. Does he have done?
But of them all, which normally live more intensely the Way are those who claim it for spiritual reasons. For those not worth or take buses or taxis to ‘hitch’ or sleep in boarding houses or hotels if there is a gap in the hostel.
Although the going gets rough and blistered feet are there to keep walking, flood, shine or snow. There is the willpower and perhaps why the pilgrims called ‘Miracles of the Holy’.

Repeat
At the hostel for pilgrims find Eduardo Escudero, 39, a native of Madrid. One of these spiritual pilgrims grateful to be there. “It happens that you are all fucking day and then get to the hostel and you take a shower and feel a sense of satisfaction only … It’s like when a rock hits you in the shoe and walk to suffer and then you take her out and feel very comforting relief. But despite suffering Edward, like many other pilgrims, he repeats, but this time chose the Northern Route, instead of the French Way, which have thus has become an authentic pilgrimage, especially in summer . “Someone told me that the Camino de Santiago started once you got to Santiago, and I think that is true.
Without Soles
Eduardo account that all pilgrim guides recommend carrying “three of everything ‘, three shirts, three socks, three changes … “A week ago I left my socks and shirt and I thought I would buy another. But I can continue that with two perfectly, “said the pilgrim, who later recalled that even having lost the sole of a boot he continues walking with them. “I’m going with my feet it seems that I have two baths. When I get them I put newspaper to dry y. .. to continue. I keep it outsole not know why. Pilgrim’s Pride.
But all this to live with the minimum, walking alone, have no attachments and feel liberated may have its dangers, because as recognized by another pilgrim, Robert Suan, of Danish origin, “you become a hermit and just maybe if you hooked a lot, as happened to some people after arriving in Santiago decided to continue the pilgrimage to Rome, I lost touch with reality, and that’s getting into a parallel world a little dangerous because it is 100% real.
Unions
The stories begin where the road begins. Eugenia, Argentina, and Alex, Canadian, met in Irun on the first day. Now, after 14 days together, it seems that their relationship has strengthened. Perhaps the time they reach Santiago is ring through.
They say that for a few days they were walking next to a Japanese girl. “One of the stages passed by a nudist beach, the Japanese just realizing the situation began to turn red, especially when he saw two people as God brought the world playing so happily shovels. His embarrassment was increased when her two partners of pilgrimage, Eugenia and Alex, also undressed. The girl blushed had to cope with a drink for which perhaps was not ready, but that’s the Camino de Santiago.
For skeptics, the Camino de Santiago in Santiago but does not end in Finisterre, and say they de Compostela was invented by priests to develop it commercially. It is unknown whether at the time knew what was going to give it the ‘business’ of the pilgrimage and how it would become a focus for attracting a diverse crowd from all corners of the Earth.
Maybe that’s the real “Miracle of the Holy ‘.

Information obtained from www.eldiariomontanes.es