Conques gave me a new perspective on France. Before coming to France, I knew it for a country famous for its food and old architecture, but I knew very little about its religious history. This weekend I learned about a different side of French history, but what touched me the most was the feeling of spirituality that the pilgrims on the Road to Santiago de Compostela search for. The pilgrims we met were mostly people who wanted to travel and meet new people, or people who wanted to take some time to reflect on their lives. There isn’t just one kind of person who takes this road. A lot of different nationalities and regions of France were present during our meal at the hostel. For instance, an old woman from Japan and another from Germany each decided to take the road alone. The Japanese woman was doing it for her sick son and she explained that at each stop, she met people that gave her the strength to continue. It’s a pure environment. For me, it was a shocking revelation, especially for women. I would love to travel alone, but it’s an idea that my family has strongly warned me not to do. However, I feel like the same risks don’t apply to this space ; in fact, everyone I talked to said that the road is very pleasant alone because they can take the time to do exactly what they want to do. But what surprised me the most was seeing “real” history continue today. For centuries, millions of pilgrims have taken this road; it’s a lasting tradition. It’s incredible, and in these moments you understand that the world is bigger than you. For me, spirituality always meant a relationship with God. On the contrary, this weekend I discovered that spirituality isn’t necessarily religious. Spirituality is something you can simply find with people or travelling on your own, like the pilgrims. It’s defined by you; it’s an idea that gives me new confidence. One day, I also hope to take the Road and to enjoy the beautiful view as well as the diversity of the people walking with me.
