We keep saying the Camino de Santiago is the journey of a lifetime – because we’ve experienced that ourselves and because hundreds and hundreds of our customers have said that before!
On the Camino, you’ll enjoy discovering landscapes, cultures, people… and even yourself. So before time takes its toll, why not immortalize it? In this friendly guide, we’ll explore why documenting your Camino is a brilliant idea even if you don’t feel artsy, and we’ll share with you some laid-back tips on how to make sure those memories stick around.
3 motives to capture your own experience:
Embracing Personal Growth:
Let’s chat about the not-so-secret magic of the Camino – the profound self-discovery. Documenting your journey becomes a mirror reflecting your growth, challenges, and triumphs.
Sharing the Camino Spirit:
Imagine sitting with friends, recounting tales of your Camino escapades over a cup of coffee. Documenting lets you share the infectious Camino spirit and sprinkle a bit of inspiration into the lives of those around you.
Capturing Cultural Gems:
From cozy hamlets to bustling towns, the Camino is a cultural buffet. Your camera or journal becomes a treasure chest, preserving the charming encounters and unique cultures that color your pilgrimage.
Your Camino, Your Story
While you might think other’s stories are worthier, your own path will take you to places none else will step on. Documenting your Camino will help you shape your narrative, turning it into a tale that’s uniquely yours. A story that you’ll cherish and others will find intriguing. Don’t forget we’re all storytellers at heart!
Find your own way of sharing and remembering your encounters, laughter, and even the blister-induced hobble with fellow pilgrims. Do it for yourself, to be able to tell your stories after you go back home, but also for the many pilgrims that will come after you and could find inspiration in your words or your pictures or drawings.
Memories can be elusive, but a photo or journal entry serves as a time capsule. Documenting ensures that the vivid details of your Camino – the laughter, the challenges, and the stunning vistas – remain etched in your memory.
Documentation Tips for Begginers
You might find it intimidating to start documenting your journey, but it shouldn’t be! You can record it as precisely or as genericaly as you’d like. We are basically here to tell you to just go ahead and do it!
Follow our advice and keep this 3 things in mind at all times:
- Keep it simple: No need for fancy equipment or elaborate journaling. Keep it simple. A smartphone camera and a pocket-sized notebook can work wonders. Use what you have!
- Mix it up: Can’t seem to choose one particular technique? Sure of which one will work better for you? Try them all! After all, variety is the spice of life. Combine photos, sketches, and words to capture the multifaceted beauty of your journey. Your documentation, like the Camino itself, can be wonderfully eclectic.
- Embrace imperfection: Your documentation doesn’t have to be flawless; it just needs to be authentically you. A picture doesn’t have to be technically perfect (though we have some Camino photography tips for you if you’d like to read them!) to perfectly reflect a moment, words don’t have to be precise to help you remember a feeling. Create as you go, trust your gut, and aim to just express yourself.
- Create an Evening Routine around it: Believe it or not, skipping just a couple of days can hugely damage your project! Dedicate a few minutes at the end of the day to review your pictures, take a few notes, or work for a while on your art. Turn it into a gratitude practice to even improve your mood and energy level!
Do It Digitally
Of course you can bring your camera, your favorite journal, or your art materials on your Camino, but if you prefer to pack lightly – these apps will help!
The best journaling apps
- Day One, to write and draw from every platform.
- Penzu for secure journaling.
- Five Minute Journal for journaling beginners
- Daylio for non-writers (this one is my personal favorite!)
A Life Worth Documenting
As you step onto the Camino, pen in hand, or camera at the ready, remember – you’re not just documenting a journey; you’re crafting a love letter to an experience that will stay with you forever, or even inspire others to walk their path!
But it all starts with the first step: planning your Camino! Reach out and ask for a quote to start designing your trip. You could start creating and captivating your story right today! Wouldn’t it feel nice?
