The Camino Changed me FOREVER! Here's How

[@darrylellis9578]

Kate I am half way through the full camino. I walked the central Portuguese in 2022, the coastal in 2023, in 2024 I will walk from Pamplona. Yes I experienced exactly the same emotions and craving simplicity on return to Australia. Unless others have experienced the camino it is so hard to describe. I know in my heart my camino journey will not be over until I reach Santiago new year. My fantasy is to finish on my 74th birthday. I also now declutter and my priorities have changed so much…for the better. Life is more positive. Thanks Kate, now back to the long documentary.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts Darryl! I hope you have a fantastic time on the camino and that you get to enjoy your birthday reaching Santiago! Buen Camino!

[@billkrueger9305]

well done, Kate...I watched your original pilgrimage and was touched by your thoughtfulness. I have walked 3 Caminos of varying lengths and am planning a 4th. I am now in my 70's and still feel the pull of the Camino. By all means, yes, it has changed how I look at my world, and when I forget it reminds me that I need to be patient and kind to all. So, thank you for sharing your journey with us and, of course, I wish you a buen camino. many blessings!

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you Bill and thank you for sharing how the camino has impacted you. Buen camino!

[@IreneSegura2]

I loved your video and thank you for sharing your stories with us. I did partial stages of el Camino Del Norte in June and part of July due to timing. I have already requested my sabbatical for 2 months starting May 21, 2025 and I’m planning to complete the entire Camino this time. I’m obsessed with my feelings when I walked el Camino and think of it each day. Congratulations for completing it all the way to Finistère. Well done ❤

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

It’s so good you have walked sections of the camino Norte. Very exciting to hear you plan to walk the whole camino in May next year! Buen Camino!

[@Siabeyond]

U may forget the people on ur journey, but never forget ur feelings and experiences there... Hi there, u are right & this is, what most of the pilgrims feel every day after a (30-45 days long) camino to Santiago. Every day ur thinking about the journey and a piece of u is still walking until ur there again. This is only my oppinion...🙂 Buen Camino

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

That is really nicely put! 😊

[@bertenclaeys20]

HI Kate, many thanks for this video. I have, just like you, done 40 days of Camino this summer (leaving SJPlP on Aug 8) all the way to Finisterre. I am, or better I was, not a hiker at all but enjoy a walk from time to time and my age is very similar to yours. The return to 'normality' hit me like never anything had hit me before. After 40 days without any big responsabilities (no house, car, job, kids, wife) the coming back was very heavy indeed. I love my wife and my kids and I do like my house and my job, but to have to deal with it all, more then ever because having not been there for over a month, was more then I had expected. After three weeks of being back I had a very low moment of feeling extremely depressed, having the feeling that i would not be able to save anything from my great Camino experience at all in daily live. I was so happy to have found your video to learn that that is quite normal and that things will look up again in a couple of weeks. So many thanks for your work and I loved you entire Camino documentary. Hope you're doing well. Buen Camino. Berten

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you for sharing how coming back home from the camino has been hard for you. I think now I’m home I realise that applying the camino to my life is really helpful. Also I know I need to walk. Every now and again I go on longer walks with friends, my husband or daughter. I am fortunate as there are plenty of pilgrimage and secular trails in the UK. I make time and get out into nature again and it really helps! Buen camino!

[@michaelpowell2717]

Well presented Kate, when I got home I set about decluttering house, life, relationships, self. I still procrastinate but am improving. The itch to return is alive as ever. I find that 'the Camino effect' begins to wear off, I NEED to get back...

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you. Yes I understand! 😄

[@fatimaalbino1204]

Thanks you very much for sharing your Camino journey with us! I really enjoyed waching the videos!🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed following my journey!

[@caminochrissy]

I loved your full movie! I was enthralled the whole way through! Congratulations! I’m heading back for my second Camino in six weeks.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

So glad you enjoyed it! Enjoy your Camino, buen Camino!

[@Jesper-bl2ns]

A winter camino. Good choice. Everything will be different. Please notice that from November many albergues may be closed for winter. I had no issue though, I walked from 1.Jan and mostly used cheap hotels/hostels.

[@jeanettem8986]

Loved listening to your reflections on this!! Great video!! 💜💜💜

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you! 💚

[@KaterOnBike]

Kate, thanks for this video. Yes, I can subscribe to everything you’ve said here. The Camino does change us … and I think the more time one can spend on it, the better. I have walked it in sections: one week is great, but everything hurts. Two weeks are better, but just when you get into the Camino routine, you’ve got to get back into the hamster wheel; three weeks… then you begin to truly experience what you were talking about. 40 days is super! I could experience a long Camino when I cycled from Germany to Santiago. However, traveling by bike misses out on the Camino friendships, because there are fewer people doing the same stages. But that’s ok, too, as I did experience the human factor when I walked. It’s amazing to be surrounded by like minded people. And yes, it’s worthwhile to save up for such a long trip, and I know it’s not easy to get enough time off from work. I had to take unpaid time off, which also needs to be considered as extra costs adding to the bill. But I’m telling you, it was worth every little bit of it. And yes, I would do it again. No regrets 😊. As ever: Buen Camino

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences Kate! I don’t think I’ve met anyone yet who regrets investing time and money into doing a camino!

[@yolandamumford6406]

Thanks for sharing, I also really enjoyed your documentary. A week from today I'm flying to Spain to start my camino, I will be doing only 5 days starting in Sarria, a very short camino compared from yours, but I'm expecting nothing but the best time!! (Even with the rain 😊)

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks for watching! Sounds great! Buen Camino - enjoy your walk! 💚

[@Cantairi]

A thoughtful reflection. Thank you for sharing. Buen Camino.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you! 🙏

[@SJones-p7m]

Thank you for taking the time to share your Camino experiences. Your documentary is very well done. I love your authenticity! 💖 I walked the Camino Frances 15 years ago, at a time when my 25+ year marriage was crumbling. The lessons were profound - I could not just manage, but could thrive solo. It was such a transformative experience, that allowed me to continue to make life decisions that nourish my soul. And now, I’m embarking on the Camino again later this month… same route but this time with confidence and curiosity about experiencing the magic (and bits of misery!) from a very different life perspective. Wishing you the best as you continue to hold the camino close, letting it guide you in life.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks so much for sharing your story. Have a great time on your camino later this month! Buen Camino! 😊

[@JoycePike-l4c]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reliving my camino experiences as I have journeyed with you, Kate. Thank you for your excellent presentation. I agree wholeheartedly with you and could relate to all the answers you shared in response to people's questions, especially the first one. I definitely simplified my life, especially my wardrobe, on my return home which eliminated many decisions. I walked the Camino twice, (in 2010 and 2013) both times with my husband who was 5 years my senior. I was 68 the first time and not an outdoor person. However I prepared well and will never regret investing the time and money for the sheer joy of sharing in the lives of so many folk and having endless hours to pray and reflect. Over the years I have reduced my possessions to the point, where as a widow of 82 I now live in a tiny home with just those possessions with special meaning to me. My 26 square metre home is a happy place -- bedsitter, kitchenette and studio rolled into one. Thank you for sharing with such honesty. Blessings, Joyce

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you so much for sharing this Joyce! I’m glad you enjoyed watching my camino but I’m even more glad to hear your story and that you feel that walking the camino was a great investment of time and finances. I’m glad that your home is a happy place! Blessings to you too! 💚

[@gayledixon72]

Thanks Kate. I enjoyed your documentary from my treadmill where I am training for a short Camino next year. I am 73 and I need to keep inspired as I work to develop the physical capacity to be successful on the Camino......Much appreciated.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Hi Gayle Aww that’s so cool to hear about you watching it from your treadmill! 🏃‍♀️ Have a fantastic camino! My daughter and I walked the Camino Ingles in June which was a short camino and we had a great time together. ☺️

[@joannejohnson]

Thank-you Kate for sharing your Camino experience take care from Joanne.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you! ☺️

[@LeonEdwards-os9eo]

Thank you for sharing your reflections on walking the Camino Frances. I really enjoyed watching your video, and I’d go so far to say it’s the best! I am 71 and I’m planning on walking the Camino Frances in May/June 2025. A question I would like to ask is how much training did you do beforehand? Thank you for sharing your experience, knowledge and wisdom xx

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thank you so much! I tried to get out and do walks locally when I could and build up my distances. I also did some core strength low impact fitness videos to try and build up strength in my core and legs. Buen Camino for May/June!

[@ciaranclerkin2441]

Great reflections on an epic life episode Kate. And how is that 1 year already? I love the phrase "bring the Camino home with you", which is a perfect sentiment to finish on. Serious well done👏👏💚💚

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks so much Ciaran for the encouragement!

[@roberthuxley1689]

So true that the Camino changes you. Few days pass without a longing to return.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Yes! I love dreaming about and planning future possible Caminos!

[@jennyhanna371]

Hi Kate ❤ I thoroughly enjoyed your Camino pilgrimage experience, you're an inspiration, I'm planning on May 2025 I'll carry your wisdom with me ❤

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

So glad you enjoyed it Jenny! It’s very exciting you are planning to do a camino next year! Buen camino! 💚

[@ciaranclerkin2441]

PS, we're going to watch you full documentary from start to finish on one of the long, dark nights coming our way as winter closes in. Stove will be lit and life unplugged🤩

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Sounds great! it’s just the episodes stitched together into one long video, but it was very satisfying to do! (it is quite long though! 😂)

[@leonorlagomasino2915]

Thank you once again for such a thoughtful commentary.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

You are welcome! 🤗 Thanks for watching! ☺️

[@jcr-studios]

Thank you, I was looking for a Camino video like this. You mentioned that you were able to tuck money away for the trip by rounding up on each of your purchases. Was that done using an app or did you manually keep track of this and make transfers to a separate savings account daily?

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

I use a prepaid debit card for my daily spending. It has the option to round up to the nearest £1 every time I spend and put it in a pot. in addition I actually put a few £s aside every day. I used the IFTTT app which linked to my debit card app. But many banks also offer this feature.

[@TonyMc70]

Thanks Kate. I did the Camino Frances last year and can't get enough of these videos 😂

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks Tony!

[@Jesper-bl2ns]

Warning: You have been infected by the camino longing disease. You will inevitably do it again. I have walked it 9 times since 2013. Three times full Frances, three times from Burgos. One time camino portuguese, one time Primitivo and one time Via de la plata. This may sound strange - but try to disconnect from your first camino, you can't relive the "First Camino" and it's hard not to compare.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Hi Jesper! thanks so much for that tip about not reliving the first camino. I’ve been back to Spain since and walked the Camino Ingles and hope to do another next summer. Yes I think I will be a serial camino walker! Buen Camino!

[@18floridablu]

Hi Kate Have thoroughly enjoyed watching all your vlogs. Thank you for the time and effort taken to film and edit them. I managed to walk from Sarria to SdC last February with my daughter with 2 weeks notice and totally unprepared 🥴 But I was amazed that I could walk 114km after a wet Winter with little walking and totally fell in love with the Camino. I have always been a simple soul anyway and long to return at some point to do the full Frances Camino while I still have health. Did you vlog your Camino Ingles ? No worries if you didn’t 😂 x

[@timgearing5121]

Hi Kate, I found the emoji and large titles while trying to watch and listen to your message distracting. Happy trails.

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Thanks for the feedback!