We tell you about the experience of making friends on the Way of St. James
Definitely! The Camino de Santiago receives every year thousands of pilgrims from different places who decide to embark on this adventure. Some organise to come together and others do it alone, which is a challenge for many of them.
Even if you come alone, you will never be lonely.
Surely you have ever wondered if it is a good idea to do the Camino de Santiago alone. One of the most frequent questions is: Will I meet people?
Of course! More and more people are choosing to do it alone. One of the reasons is to get to know oneself, to be able to disconnect from everyday life and dedicate a little more time to oneself.
As Travellers who are Scoundrels, we leave you with some compelling reasons why you should do the Camino de Santiago because you will come out of it with friends forever.
Sharing a common goal
The Camino de Santiago is a place where pilgrims share a common goal: to reach Santiago de Compostela. This shared goal creates a sense of companionship and solidarity. The difficulties of the road such as blisters or small injuries, fatigue and even the weather, become topics of conversation that bring people together. Helping each other, whether by sharing a bottle of water or offering words of encouragement, fosters a spirit of cooperation and friendship.
Spontaneous encounters and hostels
This experience shared by people from all over the world is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people. The fact of walking together with other people for hours or even days invites you to chat and get to know each other. Stage after stage you will share experiences, personal stories and many moments of laughter, tiredness, tears and endless anecdotes. In addition, the stops along the way and sharing accommodation in hostels also facilitates this interaction between pilgrims.
This coincidence creates a very conducive environment for deep and meaningful conversations that often arise naturally while walking or resting. We have seen groups of people who have never met before sitting down together for a meal after walking a few kilometres and seeming to have known each other all their lives.
That is the essence of the Camino, what makes it special. You create a unique and beautiful bond with the people you meet. Lasting friendships are forged and it is said that "the friends you make on the Camino de Santiago are forever". Many of the friendships that have been formed last over the years and are even organise to get together again and repeat the Camino..
No one doubts that walking the Camino de Santiago is something magical, but if you also find people with whom you connect, it becomes a very exciting experience.
Conclusions
Making friends on the Camino de Santiago is one of the most enriching experiences that this pilgrimage offers. The human connections that form along the route are a testament to the capacity of human beings to create companionship and support in the most unexpected places. So if you decide to embark on this adventure, be prepared not only to walk but also to open your heart and mind to new friendships that will undoubtedly last far beyond the kilometre travelled.
