Have you ever heard of the Camino de Santiago? Until I read this book, I had only vague notions of what it was. I knew, for example, that it was one of several well-known pilgrimages people may go on during their lifetimes, such as a trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia or along the Kumano Kodō in Japan.
Pilgrimages have great historical and religious significance. The Camino Portugués is one such pilgrimage. Its origins date to medieval times, and people today still walk the trails, some for spiritual purposes, but others simply for the joy of retracing the steps taken by many before them.
Traditionally, the Camino de Santiago was walked by Christians who left their homes for the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where St. James the Apostle is said to have been buried.
Julia Zacharias and her partner, Katharine, took on the challenge of this 300-kilometre walk from Porto, Portugal, to Finisterre, Spain, in 2015. During the weeks along this coastal and picturesque trail, Julia documented her experiences with intricately detailed drawings of the forests, rivers, ancient stone structures, and animals she encountered along the way. Despite her fragile hip, and the challenges it presented, she persevered on this once-in-a-lifetime experience with her once-in-a-lifetime love. They climbed countless mountainsides, sang away the heat of the day, and dreamt new dreams as they gradually learned how slowing down can open up a new appreciation for the simple things in life.
Unlike many travel books that discuss the history behind such adventures, Julia takes you on a journey that taps into the present moment: how the wind feels while you’re walking along the trail, what she and her partner encounter along the way, the aches and pains they endure, and the beauty of discovery.
It was fun to work on this book with Julia, helping to coax more context into her writing so it could better illustrate her art. Now, when I think about the Camino Portugués, I have a clearer picture of what it entails . . . and I hope to one day go on my own pilgrimage there.
Along the Camino Portugués is a love letter to this incredible experience, peppered with whimsical artwork that evokes the feelings, sights, and sounds of this unique trip. Whether you plan to walk the Camino Portugués yourself or just wonder what it may be like, this book will take you on a journey of discovery.
Julia Zacharias self-published her book through FriesenPress, Inc., a Canadian publishing services provider. Her book is available for purchase on their website, if you wish to support Canadian-owned products, or via Amazon.
(Note: Parts of this blurb were taken from the back cover of this book, which I wrote as part of my work on this project.)
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