Margaret Brown

A Pilgrimage Story Margaret Brown

The Camino de Santiago - in the warm living room at home, it had seemed so exciting - miles across Spain on an ancient track - inspiring - time to grow spiritually and perhaps to grow together again in their marriage. Now, standing in the cold rain of early spring by the bleak, dark monastery, Carole was not so sure.

In this fictionalized journey, the author draws on the experiences of several pilgrimages on the camino to weave a story of pilgrims and their searching. As Carole and Mark walk, they encounter pilgrims seeking a variety of goals - for some, it is a journey to understand themselves or for direction to change their lifestyle - for others, a spiritual retreat or following the Milky Way - for some, the pleasure of hiking a long distance trail. As they listen to pilgrims along the way, new light is cast on their attitudes and relationship.

Does the camino magically solve problems? No. As someone remarks: each person finds on the camino what is inside - if it is faith, then faith; if it is to enjoy, then enjoyment.