I started this blog in January 2014, intending to only write about my journey on the Camino de Santiago. I was at a difficult point in my life: a serious relationship had ended, changing the course of my future. I was 33 and completely uncertain about what to do with my life. I still had my quirky apartment in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I still had my sometimes stressful, sometimes inspiring job of counseling teenagers. But I felt lost, having been so close to changing my life by joining it with my partner. I was once again on my own, and needing to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life.
So I walked 500-miles on the Camino Frances, hoping that having a literal path to follow would lead me to some answers and some direction.
What answers did I have at the end of that walk, as I stood in front of the cathedral in Santiago, or better yet, at the edge of the world in Finisterre? Nothing concrete, and yet everything important: the people around us matter. The earth matters. I am strong. With time and patience, I’ll figure out my next steps.
This blog is about the Camino, it’s about travel, it’s about photography, it’s about writing. Sometimes, it might be about coffee. But mostly it’s about my life, as I continue to look for my path: walking down the yellow brick roads, taking the detours, going the wrong way, the missteps, the discoveries, the magic.
Thank you for reading; I am thrilled to have any audience, big or small. Say hi, or read anonymously, but know that I am happy to have you here.
Read about my three weeks in a writer’s/artist’s retreat in the south of France, 2013, here. Read about my return trip, 2016, here.
My journey on the Camino Frances begins with this post.
A brief of ‘one year of blogging’ recap is here.
My journey on the Camino del Norte begins here.
Click here to read about my 5-day hike on the West Highland Way, in Scotland.
Anytime! I’m always up for reading people’s journey and how they grow from it. It inspires me as well.
It looks like you have great motivation and adventures! Making the most out of life, great job.
I look forward to hearing about your adventures. I walked the Norte 18months ago and will return to Le Puy en Velay in France this June to walk some of the French Camino de St Jaques. This time next monday will be on the trail! Enjoy your walk.
Thank you for reading, and Buen Camino!!
Great blog! I look forward to reading future posts!
Nadine, I love your stories, photos and layout. Great blog! The Camino de Santiago is a special place. My brother and I both felt a sense of peace when we visited in the past. We didn’t hike the entire trail, but I want too now! You should go hike the Circuito W in Torres del Paine, Chile. Check it out on my blog. It’s the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done and the senderismo infrastructure is world class.
Funny you should say that; updating this ‘About’ page is on my list of things to do… I originally thought this blog would just be about walking the Camino, but since I’m continuing to write, this definitely needs to be updated! Thanks for reading!!
Hi Nadine, I just love your blog! And I wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! It’s an award passed around from blogger to blogger and is meant to promote aspiring blogs featuring great content. Check out my post here: http://littlebirdaroundtheworld.com/2015/02/11/liebster-award/ and get your acceptance speech ready! If you have any questions about it let me know!
Okay, Nadine, so now I am following you . . . though WordPress says I was already following, but I’m not sure. I HAVE seen your website header before, so now I will be sure to keep up with you. At some point, perhaps we can communicate “off-blog”, because I too am writing. Made part of my Camino website writing into a Master’s thesis last Spring, and finally put my “Just for me” Master’s degree to bed, after procrastinating on the thesis for 14 years. Now the same sort of struggle/thoughts for reshaping to a book. Would love to stay in touch just a bit if possible.
Good luck on your Norte!
We can definitely be in touch “off-blog”. You’re welcome to send me a message through the ‘contact me’ page on my blog, and I can email you through that (and exchange contact info, etc).
I love that you’re also working on shaping your Camino writing into a book… I’m at the very beginning and am overwhelmed but so excited. Good luck!!
Lovely reason for a blog!
Came here after you commented on my blog, and am so excited to find you’ve written lots about the Camino, and are writing about your life journey just like me! I’ll have to come back when I have more time and read through your posts properly, they look so interesting and inspiring!
I just wanted to drop you a few lines after reading your wonderful little book about what to do with your life when you return from the Camino. I found many thoughts you wrote down could have easily been mine. I have done my first Camino in 2003 and since then I have come back nearly every year to various caminos, just like you and so many other pilgrims did. And just like you said: as long as my body will let me, I will walk. So most naturally right now I am in the middle of preparations for my second part of the Norte. We’ve been following each other for a while on Instagram (camino.tips) and just like your book I enjoy your photos. Keep walking, and keep writing.