Love on the camino.

[MKalcolm M]

A year ago today, while hiking from Bilbao to Probena on the North route, I met a fellow pilgrim called Silke and we shared an orange together. We were at the same alberge that night, then we bumped into each other again at Guemes. From then on we walked to Santiago together. By the time we got there we were completely in love. We have been together for the whole year. So how many other people have found long term romance on the camino?

 

[Olivia Luna]

Well, does celebrating our 40th year together after arriving in Santiago count?...

 

[Mark Lee]

Did not find romance on the Camino, but sure wished I had been in my twenties again. Some beautiful young ladies from all over walk the Camino. Babes for sure, and I saw plenty of younger guys chasing them.
Oh the joys of youth, ha ha.

 

[OzAnnie]

A year ago today, while hiking from Bilbao to Probena on the North route, I met a fellow pilgrim called Silke and we shared an orange together. We were at the same alberge that night, then we bumped into each other again at Guemes. From then on we walked to Santiago together. By the time we got there we were completely in love. We have been together for the whole year. So how many other people have found long term romance on the camino?View attachment 10167

Malcolm and Silke,
Beautiful pic, beautiful spot, beautiful story.
Big smile from me. I love the happily ever after stories !!

Happy long life with many Caminos
Annie

 

[Erin]

Hey Mark, there are some hot women walking in their 40's and beyond! No née to be in your 20's to enjoy all the camino had to offer

 

[Bertram]

My wife and me will be celebrating our 2 years anniversary on the camino this year. We have been dreaming about it since we met and finally we found the guts to go.

 

[wayfarer]

I fell in love again on my second Camino, from Sarria in 2013, with a gutsy little woman who didn't walk much or train for the Camino, but who walked 23k's the first and second day. We walked and talked for six days and reconected. We have been married for thirty six years now.

 

[OzAnnie]

Aw shucks Wayfarer. That so romantic too.
Good things last

 

[Mark Lee]

Hey Mark, there are some hot women walking in their 40's and beyond! No née to be in your 20's to enjoy all the camino had to offer

Very true....

 

[bystander]

Did Club Med (Mediterranée) twice in the 1960s.......
If you know what that means I don't need to go any further
If you don't - I'm not telling.........

 

[Caminojane]

I fell in love again on my second Camino, from Sarria in 2013, with a gutsy little woman who didn't walk much or train for the Camino, but who walked 23k's the first and second day. We walked and talked for six days and reconected. We have been married for thirty six years now.

Hi Wayfarer! This is such a lovely recognition of the value of walking - it really does allow you to talk properly and really share things. I would love to share a Camino with my husband but at the moment he is too busy "bagging Wainwrights". I need to a bit more persuading!

 

[Jabaldo]

I will be walking with my love. For us both it is our second time around but I am happier for the love that my wife and I share. My only regret is that we did not meet years earlier. So every day we try to make the most out of it. This is one of the reasons why we walk the Camino, to be with eachother and to hold eachother and to love eachother.
Buen Camino to you and to us.

 

[jillmom]

I didn't fall in love on the camino, but it certainly puts you in a loving frame of mind. I did walk with a fellow for some while and have thought of him often since I returned home. Sigh.....

 

[Mark Greenwood]

Hope for me yet then!!! lol

 

[jillmom]

Be the initiator, Mark

 

[Kanga]

Did not find romance on the Camino, but sure wished I had been in my twenties again. Some beautiful young ladies from all over walk the Camino. Babes for sure, and I saw plenty of younger guys chasing them.
Oh the joys of youth, ha ha.

My husband enjoys getting older. He says it just increases the number of women he finds attractive.

 

[Susan hopes]

Wow, and I thought my story of how I met my husband and married him was romantic. May you live long, happy lives together.

 

[soopi25]

Thank you, MKalcolm for starting this thread! I shed some tears when reading these stories – so incredibly touching!!

I started my walk alone in St Jean on May 24 2013 and about a week or so later I met a wonderful man named Jose who was also walking the Camino with his amazing dog Rocky. While we started by walking together in a group, we eventually ended up just the 3 of us walking each day holding hands the entire way with Rocky in between. Despite our language barrier (I am from NYC and only spoke a little Spanish, he is from Valencia and spoke virtually no English), we managed to fall in love by the time we reached Santiago. After a week at his parents' home in Valencia, Jose announced he was moving to Stockholm with me where I was beginning a year-long professional studies program. Now, more in love than ever, we continue to happily plan our future and more adventures together.

Buen Camino to you and Silke. Your story warmed my heart, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!

 

[RENSHAW]

In 2008 I started a book which is still only half completed. I return each year to collect some more 'ammo'.
The title of the book ...........' LOVE ON THE CAMINO '.

 

[medora]

And what to do, when the Camino betrays you? When it brings you a broken heart and the biggest disappointment of your life? I met fantastic people on the way, I was happy, I was opened for new friendships, but I didnt plan any romance. I was full of doubts because of the distance and other circumstances, but we had so much in common and he seemed to be so sure of his feelings, I simply trusted him. In Santiago, on last day of our walking together I decided to give a chance to this relationship. But it was a mistake. Did the Camino lead me to this? When I think of Camino, I feel the pain.

 

[wayfarer]

And what to do, when the Camino betrays you? When it brings you a broken heart and the biggest disappointment of your life? I met fantastic people on the way, I was happy, I was opened for new friendships, but I didnt plan any romance. I was full of doubts because of the distance and other circumstances, but we had so much in common and he seamed to be so sure of his feelings, I simply trusted him. In Santiago, on last day of our walking together I decided to give a chance to this relationship. But it was a mistake. Did the Camino lead me to this? When I think of Camino, I feel the pain.

Sorry to hear things did not work out for you. Never give up.

 

[Al the optimist]

In normal life friends are hard to come by and easy to lose. On the Camino they are easy to find and even easier to misplace. Sorry for those who didn't connect or did and it didn't work out, but nothing ventured etc. ?

 

[bystander]

medora

"I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all."

Alfred Lord Tennyson In Memoriam (1850)

 

[gapowell]

I fell in love again on my second Camino, from Sarria in 2013, with a gutsy little woman who didn't walk much or train for the Camino, but who walked 23k's the first and second day. We walked and talked for six days and reconected. We have been married for thirty six years now.

Lovely!

 

[gapowell]

And what to do, when the Camino betrays you? When it brings you a broken heart and the biggest disappointment of your life? I met fantastic people on the way, I was happy, I was opened for new friendships, but I didnt plan any romance. I was full of doubts because of the distance and other circumstances, but we had so much in common and he seamed to be so sure of his feelings, I simply trusted him. In Santiago, on last day of our walking together I decided to give a chance to this relationship. But it was a mistake. Did the Camino lead me to this? When I think of Camino, I feel the pain.

Medora, I am so sorry about that. A very similar thing also happened to me in 2011. I was very hurt when things did not work out after the Camino in Spain... and it was very painful for several months. But I was able to walk the Camino again in 2012 - this time from Geneva. While walking across France, I often thought of stopping in SJPP... even the day before I arrived there, I had my doubts that I would continue. I thought it would bring back painful memories... and I thought it might be a second rate experience doing it for the second time. But I DID continue over the Pyrenees, all the way to Santiago. And (of course) I met the most fantastic people en route. There were moments of sadness and reflection, remembering the previous year... But somehow time, and the Camino healed.

Give yourself time to recover, to heal. But don't blame the Camino... The Camino allows us to be open - with other people and with ourselves. It's an almost magical feeling, and in a way, I am just surprised that more people do not fall in love while on it! Maybe, just maybe, you should give the Camino another chance...

 

[Al the optimist]

My husband enjoys getting older. He says it just increases the number of women he finds attractive.

I find the same

 

[bystander]

Kanga said:
"My husband enjoys getting older. He says it just increases the number of women he finds attractive."
I agree
Problem is, as to attractiveness, when I look in the mirror in the morning, when shaving, the reverse for me has happened!

 

[pilgrim b]

Never met the love of my life on the Camino but this year we will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary as we walk together into Santiago.

 

[cathal Ferris]

Nice one big man may you both live love and be happy the rest of your days a great story

 

[wayfarer]

Life is a Camino Anthony so you did meet your wife on one. Happy Anniversary to you both and have a safe and wonderful Camino.
Pat.

 

[medora]

Sorry to hear things did not work out for you. Never give up.

I won't give up! Thank you.

 

[medora]

Medora, I am so sorry about that. A very similar thing also happened to me in 2011. I was very hurt when things did not work out after the Camino in Spain... and it was very painful for several months. But I was able to walk the Camino again in 2012 - this time from Geneva. While walking across France, I often thought of stopping in SJPP... even the day before I arrived there, I had my doubts that I would continue. I thought it would bring back painful memories... and I thought it might be a second rate experience doing it for the second time. But I DID continue over the Pyrenees, all the way to Santiago. And (of course) I met the most fantastic people en route. There were moments of sadness and reflection, remembering the previous year... But somehow time, and the Camino healed.

Give yourself time to recover, to heal. But don't blame the Camino... The Camino allows us to be open - with other people and with ourselves. It's an almost magical feeling, and in a way, I am just surprised that more people do not fall in love while on it! Maybe, just maybe, you should give the Camino another chance...

Thank you for sharing your experience and for your words. I made a collage of other persons, I met on the Camino and everytime when I look at it, I see happiness. One girl who also met love on the Camino and lost it afterwards, was a big support for me, because she knew, what I feel. I walked my second Camino just 3 weeks after breaking up and just for 6 days. I was searching for physical pain to forget the pain in my soul and in my heart. Now I know that it was too soon and too short to heal me. I don t feel prepared for the next Camino now, but when the Camino will send me an invitation, I will accept it. I will walk straight against my fears and bad memories and replace it with positive ones.

 

[bystander]

Medora, medora, my dear
I feel for your pain and sense of betrayal...

...a broken heart and an aching soul takes time to heal..
...and sadly it leads to suspicion and cynicism the next time love seems to appear...

...but don't let that doubt and fear interfere...
...dive in, trust and enjoy.

..nothing ventured nothing gained.

Easy said - but trust me.

 

[pilgrim b]

Life is a Camino Anthony so you did meet your wife on one. Happy Anniversary to you both and have a safe and wonderful Camino.
Pat.

You are quite right Pat I just didn't think of it that way, I think I may get compostela for it next year. Thank you for your kind wishes too!

 

[Annie Little]

Kanga said:
"My husband enjoys getting older. He says it just increases the number of women he finds attractive."
I agree
Problem is, as to attractiveness, when I look in the mirror in the morning, when shaving, the reverse for me has happened!

hahaha Bystander I hope you are a bloke then otherwise you may well have a problem

 

[Annie Little]

Ooh just noticed you are Irish…. the world would be a dull place without the Irish …… I mean that most sincerely. Hope I come across some Irish travellers along the Way … would surely brighten my day .

 

[Alyssa]

Hey Mark, there are some hot women walking in their 40's and beyond! No née to be in your 20's to enjoy all the camino had to offer

Sorry Erin, no romance for those of us over 30!

 

[chriske]

I am on the Camino and hit a wall recently. I took a taxi to Leon for an extra rest day. That day my husband of 46 years walks the day's 24K plus 18K more (that is more than a marathon!) to surprise me and be with me that evening. He is 70. I found that very romantic. The Camino is amazing!

 

[adrianflude]

Loved, lost and loved again in 2012, and now living and working in Spain with love of my life and a renewed love of life; planning to walk every year a new camino, for as long as I can walk....buen camino!

 

[jamataster]

Met a wonderful woman in the albergue in Logrono in July 2011. We walked the rest of the Way to Santiago together. Sweet music. She decided to move in with me in my country. We walked Sevilla-Santiago-Finisterre this spring. Difficult to hide questionable personality traits during hard walks. And positive sides tend to surface. So we will marry in July this year.

 

[adrianflude]

Hey Mark, there are some hot women walking in their 40's and beyond! No née to be in your 20's to enjoy all the camino had to offer

Sorry Erin, no romance for those of us over 30!

The camino will be provide, and you will decide...!

 

[jamataster]

And, on the other hand, you are not sure if you want to break out of a relation, walk the Camino with your partner, and you will soon know what to do....

 

[jennylu]

A year ago today, while hiking from Bilbao to Probena on the North route, I met a fellow pilgrim called Silke and we shared an orange together. We were at the same alberge that night, then we bumped into each other again at Guemes. From then on we walked to Santiago together. By the time we got there we were completely in love. We have been together for the whole year. So how many other people have found long term romance on the camino?View attachment 10167

what a lovely story, it make me so happy to hear.

My boyfriend(from USA) and I(From Denmark) had our first date walking the camino last year. We had been penpals for a year, when we decided to have our first date and how better to get to know each other than walking the camino together. We met in Barcelona and took the bus to Pamplona and started our first long date we now live together in Denmark and planning to live in USA or Canada when I finish school. The camino gave us the best start on our relationship and next week we are going to France to walk the GR10.

I wish everyone good luck with their camino romances

Buen Camino
Jenny

 

[david g]

Before our Camino in 2012, I told my friend we were going to meet and hit it off with some beautiful Australian women. I was half right....he did, I didn't. (Sigh) But, hope springs eternal, so maybe next time. (May of 2015)

 

[Deleted member 28796]

Some really lovely & inspiring stories here. My big trip next year ... who knows, might even meet Mr Right!

 

[KarolMT]

Yea ... truly inspiring ....
who knows what's in the offing for 2016?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I remember meeting a poor guy soothing his legs in Ribadiso. He has pushed and pushed ahead hoping to catch up with a girl from Brazil he had met weeks before and regreted not getting to know better. Turns out she was not ahead of him, but back. Poor thing was in pain from terrible tendinitis and had just been getting further and further away from her as he pushed forward.

On that same Camino met a couple who had been together for a nu,ber of years. Bickering all time time. But he still popped the question in Santiago. Heaven help them.

Met a man, in his 60s, who started walking with his wife only to dump her mid-way for another. Ouch.

The Camino is hard on the feet, but also the heart.

 

[Al the optimist]

The original poster asked :-

So how many other people have found long term romance on the camino?

Yes I realise the intended meaning of the post but, you know it opens an opportunity to state the obvious.
I have found long term love many times on the Camino. Love with people,villages, towns, cities, scenery, albergues, boots, backpacks. Heck, even some bars, restaurants and wayside donativos! Some have disappeared from my life but all are not lost to me, the love remains. I am fortunate to have been able to "re-Camino" and so continue my relationship with some of those on this list.

 

[TheTinkerBell]

....I started my walk alone in St Jean on May 24 2013 and about a week or so later I met a wonderful man named Jose who was also walking the Camino with his amazing dog Rocky....

Massive memory overload!!
I was walking the CF at that time and remember seeing you guys several times throughout the trip from start to finish. I used to say 'hi' every time we saw each other, but we never got around to having a chat or a beer.

Rocky was famous on the CF then. I'd see him tied up to poles and chairs everywhere - usually outside bars!!! So friendly and so affectionate. Always wondered about how you actually fared walking with a dog (I.e. accommodation, etc).

It was impossible not to fall in love with Rocky.........

 

[janecaroline]

medora

"I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all."

Alfred Lord Tennyson In Memoriam (1850)

Thank you for that reminder.

 

[mamteabo]

So how many other people have found long term romance on the camino?

Old thread but no less important. ;-)

On my 4th camino, the Camino del Norte in june 2015 I met my better half: a crazy Belgian who started his camino right in front of his door. We met on the camino, we walked together, got married last year and are expecting our little camino miracle for october 2017.

I guess, this belongs in this thread, isn't it?

 

[Mike Savage]

Old thread but no less important. ;-)

On my 4th camino, the Camino del Norte in june 2015 I met my better half: a crazy Belgian who started his camino right in front of his door. We met on the camino, we walked together, got married last year and are expecting our little camino miracle for october 2017.

I guess, this belongs in this thread, isn't it?

I'd say it does belong here. Congratulations!

 

[debigetsout]

A year ago today, while hiking from Bilbao to Probena on the North route, I met a fellow pilgrim called Silke and we shared an orange together. We were at the same albergue that night, then we bumped into each other again at Guemes. From then on we walked to Santiago together. By the time we got there we were completely in love. We have been together for the whole year. So how many other people have found long term romance on the camino?View attachment 10167

"We shared an orange together" somewhere along the way, and it went on from there. Same for us in 2007. Still going on. Lovely photo. I hope that your journeys have been fulfilling ever since, whether together or apart.