Paulo Coelho walked the Road to Santiago de Compostela in the 1980s. It was a punishment for his arrogance. In The Pilgrimage he describes the journey.
The Road to Santiago de Compostela, El Camino de Santiago or the Way of St James, is a medieval pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. When Paulo Coelho undertook his pilgrimage, the route had almost disappeared from living memory.
Following publication of The Pilgrimage in 1987, there has been an exponential increase in the number of pilgrims. Their numbers is expected to exceed 200,000 this year.
On completion of the pilgrimage one is expected to create something to give thanks. Paulo Coelho wrote The Alchemist .
Also see
Camino de Santiago – Santiago de Compostela
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela today
Keithpp's Blog 
July 29, 2010 at 11:26 am |
At this place Keith, after the Exposition, Rosa and I burst into tears. We sobbed like babies and held on to each other tightly. After about 5 minutes, we were once more in the moment.
The tears were about images, so many wonderings, picking up on all of the emotions around me. Seeing Christ on the cross penetrates my soul to such an extent that I want to wail. Yet I know his life was much, much more. As is mine. What I gave to Santiago was appreciation and love. What I did there, was ask for forgiveness for any hurt I have caused others throughout my own journey. Standing in the place that Paulo had journeyed previously…profound respect and love.
I have tried, but still cannot imagine Paulo being ‘arrogant’. He knew my name Keith, took the time to read my Blog. He spoke to me. Seems like such a little thing, but these little things keep my heart in a state of mush!
While walking along a narrow street in Santiago, my ears attuned to music. A trio, playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Angels everywhere : )
Love, it’s all I have to give,
Jane xo
May 23, 2011 at 3:51 pm |
Dear Mr Coelho,
I read all my comments, what my surprised is, how could I wrote those things and share with someone like you, and I was not even know you…Second, how far I go to my insanity, is this real? Why me? Do I really go there in Santiago too. I know is my choice but my quiestion is what for? I know wht’s going on, but sometimes I’m asking my self? why I have to suffering of mental emotional disturbing? I’ve been through lot I can’t denied that, and also I’m trying to forgive my self and at the same time my husband too, and I know I’m not really happy with him coz somehow , he is part of my depression until now, but I don’t think he will listen to me, so I try as possible to keep my self strong. Everytime, I comfront him, we only end up fighting, it’s really frustraiting sometimes. I’m tired, I’m also human, his words is like he can cut me into peices, ( verbal abuse ) but I learned to fight. Maybe I exergirated a bit , but it feel’s like that. So, that’s why, I rather be beating hundred times than hearing those words. I’m getting , to the point of my problem, and it’s hard to face them in reality. I hope you understand my situation and I’m sorry if going to far of my insane…I need you’r adviced how to fix my life back, beacuse I believed I deserve to live and love. Somehow, my soul keep running away from me coz I’m not listening. Kindly Regards Lyda Ps Pls don’t show this letter because is not that I making this up, oneday I have to face them…Thank you
May 23, 2011 at 3:54 pm |
Dear Mr Coelho,
I read all my comments, what my surprised is, how could I wrote those things and share with someone like you, and I was not even know you…Second, how far I go to my insanity, is this real? Why me? Do I really go there in Santiago too. I know is my choice but my quiestion is what for? I know wht’s going on, but sometimes I’m asking my self? why I have to suffering of mental emotional disturbing? I’ve been through lot I can’t denied that, and also I’m trying to forgive my self and at the same time my husband too, and I know I’m not really happy with him coz somehow , he is part of my depression until now, but I don’t think he will listen to me, so I try as possible to keep my self strong. Everytime, I comfront him, we only end up fighting, it’s really frustraiting sometimes. I’m tired, I’m also human, his words is like he can cut me into peices, ( verbal abuse ) but I learned to fight. Maybe I exergirated a bit , but it feel’s like that. So, that’s why, I rather be beating hundred times than hearing those words. I’m getting , to the point of my problem, and it’s hard to face them in reality. I hope you understand my situation and I’m sorry if going to far of my insane…I need you’r adviced how to fix my life back, beacuse I believed I deserve to live and love. Somehow, my soul keep running away from me coz I’m not listening. Kindly Regards Lyda Ps Pls don’t show this letter because is not that I making this up, oneday I have to face them…Thank you Lyda