Camino Continues in Canada

Three pilgrims* reunited in one of the world's most intriguing, must see-places, Niagara Falls. After a four month separation, the trio came together and recalled details of their shared experience on the Camino de Santiago and revealed how their personal journeys have continued...

Ann, Dani, and Pantea

Aside from using kilometers instead of miles and celsius instead of fahrenheit, Canada is not that different from the U.S. Ontario bares a striking resemblance to Michigan and has a bit of small-town New England charm.

Pantea, Ann, and I reunited at Starbucks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small historic town about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls. We walked up and down Main, popped into a few shops, and talked about our adventures since the Camino; each of us having made significant career (and a few life) changes.

Niagara Falls

We drove a scenic route to Niagara Falls to spy the foliage turning brilliant shades of gold and red. A tourist hot-spot on a bright, warm three-day weekend in October, the Falls were packed with visitors. We joined the crowds and took in all the popular sites; the Falls, Clifton Hill, and the newest casino. I also paid $8.62 for a grande graham latte at the Starbucks Cafi Sheraton, which I highly recommend avoiding.

Nuns at Niagra

The best thing about being with Pantea and Ann again was it felt like we had never been apart; we picked up where we had left off-walking around, going wherever the spirit moved us. Conversation flowed easily and we were intrigued by the things we saw: nuns taking photographs of the falls with their iPads; a father shooting pictures of his adorable children; birds and animals enjoying the views too, just like in Spain.

Children Smile for A Special Pic

It was though we were still on camino, and I think we agreed that in truth, we are. That's how we've continued to navigate through our lives; our perspectives on what's important have changed. None of us have re-embraced materialism since the Camino. Things that once appealed to us, like shopping, no longer do. We have what we need. We wish to live simply. We want to do something that matters. We care about the environment. We care about people. We want to live a life of peace and happiness. And above all, family and friends are the most important. Relationships matter. We have come to know that what we learned on the Camino-what we learned about ourselves-is far greater than we could have imagined. It was a transformational experience that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Trio at Niagara

After a long day, Pantea and I said our good-byes to Ann, and we went our separate ways-but only for now, as we are not really separate after all. Ann is hoping to come to DC in the coming months and Pantea and I talked briefly of taking a trip together to another far-away destination at some point in the future. Until then, our caminos continue...

Pantea and the Blue Moose

*Ann, Dani, and Pantea met while trekking the Camino de Santiago in May. They embarked on the 500-mile backpacking trip, better known as "the Way," for their own reasons, but agree that what they came away with was a lot more than they expected.

Rainbows at Niagara