It’s not often you encounter someone still making life-defining memories in their later years. Meet Eloiza Baughan. She is a regular client of Follow the Camino who recently travelled on the Camino Frances for the third time and celebrated her 80th birthday on the iconic pilgrimage. Proving the Camino difficulty for older people is relative to your fitness and level of support, Eloiza chatted about her experiences on the French Way and how she finds “peace, gratitude and happiness” each time she walks the Camino.
Thanks for your time, Eloiza. What inspired you to walk the Camino de Santiago?
“I had walked sections of the Camino de Santiago 4 times before. Once I travelled from Porto, Portugal into Santiago, and the other 3 times I started from St-Jean-de-Pied in France. I took this long stretch in manageable sections, so I could enjoy each individual section of the French Way for its unique landscapes and local culture.”
“The Camino Frances is undoubtedly an inspiring walk and I never get tired of meeting people of different nationalities and all stages of life, and listening to their stories.”
What surprised you or challenged your expectations about the Camino?
“Before I went on my first Camino trip, I had watched the movie The Way with Martin Sheen for some inspiration and to see what kinds of people and places I might see. I also did some reading about the history and religious significance of the Camino.”
“I didn’t have any expectations for the walk, but I was concerned I wouldn’t have the fitness or the strength to finish some of the more extraneous sections. It made me delay planning my trip for a while, but once I realised that I could work with a dedicated Camino tour operator who could assist me if something went wrong, I felt more confident about going.”
“Each time I have returned to the Camino my experience has been slightly different to the previous one.”
How did you plan your Camino? What difficulties did you have organising the trip before working with Follow the Camino?
“I prepared my body for the Camino by walking long distances several times a week, sometimes by myself and sometimes with friends or family joining me. It’s about building your fitness slowly over time.”
“As for organising my trips, I decided before my first time on the Camino that I would use a tour operator for planning. Between trying to arrange for my bags to be transported to new accommodation each day and making bookings myself—which is difficult in high season when there may only be one hostel in the town you’re stopping for the night—it seemed difficult. I have always used Follow the Camino and they make my experience easier.”
“Even if the accommodation options along the Camino are not the most comfortable to begin with, it is still nice knowing you have a trusted planner who is working to find you the best option.”
What made the Camino such a unique travel experience?
“Each and every time I have walked it, the Camino has helped me to realise how grateful I am to be able to walk long distances at my age. My husband said the same as we were working, and he is older than me! Also, I always find 3 extremely important things when I walk: peace, gratitude, and happiness. It seems the world is lacking these things at the moment, and all I can say is that those things are ever-present on the Camino.”
Last question! What advice would you give to people who want to walk the Camino?
“If you are thinking about walking the Camino: stop thinking about it and just do it! If my husband and I can walk this pilgrimage at our age, then anyone can. No matter which Camino route you walk, who you go with, or your pace, The Way is calling you and it’s an amazing adventure!”
Want to discover what you’re capable of on your own Camino adventure? Follow the Camino can create a custom walking itinerary for your holiday that is just right for you. Chat for 5 minutes with our expert Camino Planners today!