Traditionally, a Camino journey refers to the Camino de Santiago, The Way of St. James, which is a Christian pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the remains of the Apostle James are said to rest.
Pilgrams walked this route as an act of faith, repentance, and devotion as they sought forgiveness, spiritual renewal, or a closeness to God.
Today, the spiritual roots of taking this Camino have evolved into a profound, personal experience that draws people from all faiths, perspectives, and walks of life.
The actual Camino in Spain is a walk of hundreds of miles, testing physical strength, determination, and fortitude. Yet, the steady rhythm of walking becomes meditative, allowing travelers a chance to listen to their inner voice.
Also, the Camino is a shared experience as fellow pilgrims from around the world connect with conversation, kindness, and the shared effort – creating a sense of community amid simplicity, generosity, and mutual care.
Little did I know that our family’s week-long visit to Tucson, Arizona, and specifically, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, would become our Camino experience.
From the moment we arrived at the hotel campus, we had started our journey. Every day, we absorbed this new terrain, climate, flora, and fauna.
We learned how to correctly pronounce “Saguaro” – the remarkable sentinels of the desert landscape. Hint: replace the “gu” with a “w” to make: “sa – war- o.”
This incredible cactus reminded us of nature’s time frame – so different from our frantic, connected world. You can appreciate this landscape more deeply by viewing this growth chart for the Saguaro:
Then, we capped off our week with a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Just driving through the mountains on narrow winding roads, sharing the way with cyclists and motorcyclists, provided a much slower pace deserving of our awe and wonder.
The whole outdoors seemed to span space and time, reminding us of the broader truths we each were seeking.
Getting out of the car at the museum, we experienced the rhythm of our steps trough vistas of dessert beauty.
Our communal experience as a family appreciating the desert animals – a Puma napping; two very large, speckled squirrels; black bear; prairie dogs, and others – along with a landscape that cannot be contained by words or pictures – was so personally moving.
On the path through the winding roads, we experienced yet another view of the mountains on our return trip back to our hotel.
Each new curve around the mountains seemed to take our breath away.
Then it happened.
As we approached one particular mountain view, we were all silent. Tears started to form in my eyes. One of us started to sniff.
Still now, I can cry just recalling the experience.
We were on our own Camino.
The intimate messages of this journey are still being absorbed. So much had transpired that week for our family – so much to savor, ponder, and cherish.
I will be forever changed.
Have you had a Camino experience?
In health – Deidre