Spain: Pilgrims back on the way of St. James | DW Documentary

Manolo is a 65-year-old lawyer - and atheist - walking the road to Santiago de Compostela for the 99th time. For him, the pilgrimage is about contemplation and self-discovery. This time he also wants to test his strength after recovering from COVID.

Manolo is still feeling the effects of COVID-19. He has trouble breathing and tires easily. But he won't let that stop him from making the journey and pursuing his goal of doing the pilgrimage 100 times. The route has only recently reopened. For months Spain's regional borders were closed due to the pandemic, and the Camino de Santiago was more or less deserted. That was a problem for the many hostels along the way, and indeed for the entire region, for which the pilgrims are an important source of revenue. The travelers range from devout Catholics to freethinkers like Manolo. But one thing unites them: they all agree that walking the Way of St. James is a life-changing experience. A report by Norman Striegel.

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[silviacastilho]

I made the Camino when I was 17 years old, with my friends, most of them atheists. We started in Portugal and we walked 124km. Now I am 21 and it's still my best experience. The obstacles, the people I met, and, most important, the feeling that I felt during and after stayed until this day. I can say it has shaped my spiritual life a lot. During those days you're just focused on that moment. You don't think about the future. You don't know what the places you go to are. And that feeling of the unknown, following only shells, can be challenging, but it conveys an unimaginable sense of freedom and happiness. You reflect and learn what you really appreciate in life- it's amazing!

[tracyokundia]

one of the most beautiful videos I have watched so far. Thank you for capturing this and using technology and the media for this transformational work

[spanishwithlex]

I did the Way twice and def one of my best experience. The peace, the inner strength, the calm you feel... there are no words. And all the friends I made, people from all over the world, pillgrims and good people, that's the best part

[Jesuuisnoob]

I walked from Ghent Belgium to Santiago in 3 months, best experience ever! If u have, time I would recommend it to everyone!

[BrightLit]

I can feel his joy of walking long distances, I also go to wander on feet, max ten kms. My trek is semi-desert region of Pakistan and I dream of longer walks like this gentleman.

[annabellelanglois]

I have walked the camino 4 times in my early 20s. Best days of my life. I was wondering how covid changed the experience... I wish to go back with my husband and children one day <3

[gamerab]

This is why I have subscribed to DW Documentary.. .. They always brings documentary worth watching.. Please keep going DW Documentary

[avantelvsitania]

Santiago has always had great influence in Portugal. Galiza is always a special for us, the birthplace of our dear language.

[macnosmutano]

While Manolo's story is heartfelt it's still strange that a Catholic wasn't interviewed.

[OdinMMA]

What a wonderful story. God’s speed to all pilgrims!

[SanjayJiShrimadhopurWaale]

I walked the Camino twice. There is simply no other experience in the world similar to this! I so identify with Manolo. Thank you so much for this video. There is a tribe of Camino walkers … if you belong to it, you know it. 💐

[hainanbob]

I know how he feels, not physically, but mentally. I walk every day bar one, and try to meet a daily target of ten kilometres. It's quite hilly where I live and very warm but the scenery always makes it worthwhile.

[clarkmadrosen]

The body is made for moving. Keep walking, i do it every day for the past 33yrs. Good feeling when completed daily.

[nikkodemus]

Have done the Camino twice, and seeing this video, makes me want to do it again right away.

[prestonlindbeck]

Never heard of this until a few years back when I saw the film The Way with Emilio Estevez and his father Martin Sheen. Absolutely committed to doing this in the next year or so 2024/25.

This is the Way

[jenniferanne]

Years back...I have already watch a show in Natgeo that covered this kind of pilgrimage.

Someday, I would be able to do this too. 🤞🤞

[SuperDahalo]

I resonate with Manolo on so many levels: his search to find his own limits, his atheism, his drive to find ''religious'' and transcendental experiences through physical activity and nature. I hope to cross path with him one day

[hendle]

“I’m an atheist, thank God!”, he says. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[CowboyJojosAdventures]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary. We had planned to do the Camino in 2019, then COVID-19 hit the worlds and put an end to our adventure. Hopefully when the Pandemic has ended and my partner and will look forward to walking the whole 800kms of this grand epic walk.

[angelagentry]

What a beautiful and heart warming documentary!