Thousands of Pilgrims have travelled the path of Saint James all through the centuries, the same path that we have walked. Each Pilgrim completes their own journey with lessons they have learned along the way.
Here are some of the lessons the group from Women's Own Adventure have learned.
Lesson 1 - available men are in abundance
Lesson 2 - how to stop and smell the roses
Lesson 3 - improved fashion sense
Lesson 4 - Social Graces
* the art of napkin folding into unmentionable things (the photo has been censored)
* how to mix our drinks, vino tinto, vino blanco, tinto de verano (red wine, white wine, red wine with soda) at every meal and between meals.
Lesson 5 - Local Customs and Cuisine
* yes, there is a Jamon Museum
* fine dining table service sometimes means 3 courses served in 10 minutes and/or when the waitress stands there not saying anything with a gruff face it means 'may I take your order please?'
* sometimes fruit for desert means a whole apple or a whole orange on a plate
* listening to flamenco guitar and singing right outside our bedroom window at 11.30pm after walking for the better part of 20kms.
Lesson 6 - A Man's Home is his Palace
There are many bargains to be had when seeking shelter along the Camino.
It is a wise Pilgrim who once said 'No Pain - No Glory' as we nurse our sore and bandaged feet while hobbling along with legs that just don't want to co-operate with the body anymore.
Buen Camino! and it is!
- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure