Manolo Diaz ’ s Certificate of Completion ( left ) and Emelio DeSousa ’ s completed Passport which was stamped at significant locations along THE WAY .
Back at home , the Gilroy Amigos describe the walk as the experience of a lifetime . They all comment on how it has changed them .
Since returning Ed Mitchell feels a change . He is more in the moment and is more appreciative . He has seen “ how small the world is .” He will soon be making plans to walk El Camino with his daughter .
Larry Marques , the oldest of the group , was happy to spend time with friends . His friends from Gilroy were special but so were the many new friends they met .
A pilgrim who was on his sixth journey along El Camino surprised Manolo Diaz when he described the experience as “ being like a drug .” Although declaring that he doesn ’ t want to be on drugs , Manolo is planning a second pilgrimage with his wife .
Emilio DeSousa found the experience to be very spiritual and profoundly personal . It all came together when he attended mass in the cathedral . The experience brought tears to his eyes as he saw tears in the eyes of many others !
Buen Camino … and once again the four Gilroy Amigos are back at First Street Coffee .
Kathy Bisbee , Executive Director of CMAP , walked solo for nine and a half days , 150 miles from Porto , Portugal to Santiago de Compostela , Spain in April 2013 . She is already planning a second trip next year along the Camino Francés , the route taken by the Gilroy Amigos .
“ The Camino is a camaraderie like no other . Everyone is on the Way for different reasons , but most are spiritual in nature . For me , I wanted to be outside , hiking , walking and connecting with nature . I was looking for a stronger relationship with myself , and with my higher power . I also wanted to meet other pilgrims , villagers , and have an international experience . This experience will have a lasting impression on me , and I am still processing all of the lessons learned and how to apply them in my day-to-day life here in the Bay Area .”
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