The Camino Ingles

…the one I fondly refer to as ‘The Camino for Cowards.’

“If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” -someone somewhere

The Camino Ingles is the original route for pilgrims coming from Ireland and the UK - a route my ancestors might have taken had they been so inclined. However, in the 1980s, a minimum distance of 100 km by foot or on horseback was set by Rome to qualify for a coveted “Compostela” certificate. At this point, pilgrims began using the second Camino Ingles route from Ferrol. This was a major blow to the local tourism industry and the pilgrim hosts who relied on guests for their livelihood. Appeals went out and, finally, the powers that be in Rome agreed that pilgrims could begin their pilgrimage in their country of departure as long as the balance of 30 km was certified. An underdog story! Having been one most of my life, I’ve always been drawn to them.

Full disclosure: my first long-distance walk was when I was about twelve years old. It was a fundraising twenty-mile walk where you signed up sponsors. I had brand new, bright-white, flat-soled sneakers and had to stop at mile seven because my blisters were so bad there was blood. The most I’d intentionally walked since then was an occasional ten kilometers loop around a nearby lake. No blisters, but some aches and stiffness for a few days. I wondered how I might manage if tried doing it day after day and turned that wonder into an experiment.

The Camino Ingles route

Experimenting would inform my travel plans, how’d I’d write the screenplay Wayward, and how I’d develop Farren’s character. It would be her Camino, too. She’s my main character, and she’d be traveling to Spain with issues and insecurities of her own. Like loving high heels and parking as close as she can to stores. She’s 50 to my 60 something, for plot reasons, and prematurely grey. Sometimes I go a bit crazy with character development, right down to finding names with relevant meanings. Her name means “iron-grey hair or one who habitually dressed in grey.” That seemed apt for a woman who was grieving.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Wayward and the cast of characters, please check out my pitch deck on this website’s home page. Disclaimer: It’s rather rudimentary as I’m a technophobe on a tight budget. If you’re using your mobile, you’ll need to turn it sideways to get the full views.

When have you needed, found, and used courage?

When have your characters?

How did you channel your experiences to make theirs feel real?

Ultreia! Forward, together.