This summer Sea Kings went all over the world for vacation; however one Sea King went on a not-so-ordinary trip. Senior Ian Olfarnes put on his walking shoes and walked about 310 miles over a span of 18 days while in Spain.

Ian recalls leaving “the day after school last year where [he] met [his] dad” in Madrid. After sight seeing with his dad, Ian went to “Burgos where [he] started [his] Camino to Santiago de Compostela.” After waving goodbye to his dad, Ian began his walk on June 12th.

Ian walked about 15-20 miles a day with a large backpack on his back. Although treacherous, Ian says, “I had an amazing trip. I met so many people from all over the world. I walked with French people, Koreans, New Zealanders, Australians, Austrians, Germans, South Africans, Irish, Dutch, Belgians, etc.” All these different people had their own reasons for walking.

Ian recalls that some walked “for charity, many for cancers that they themselves have had, searching for answers in their life, people going through a mid-life crisis, and people like myself who had a month to do something fun.”

Although this may seem like a foreign event, there were many people just like Ian on this pilgrimage. Ian met many Americans, most of whom were from California just like him.

Even though the people on the Camino were from different places, Ian shares that “Everyone I met along the Camino was of the highest caliber of people and I admire each and everyone of them. They were very open and friendly and by the end I had been a part of a tight-knit group which I have kept in touch with and plan on seeing in the future.”

Not only did Ian get a lot of exercise out of this trip, but also many personal growth experiences. Ian explains, “It matured me a lot and opened my eyes to a much bigger world. Although my reasoning for going was not deep or profound, it certainly transformed into an experience that I will cherish forever and I believe that it has come to be an integral of who I am and who I want to be.”

Although it was an inspiring event, Ian does not recommend this trip to just anyone. He highly advises those serious about going to go for it, but he also “thinks it is important not to go into it with too many preconceptions… Have a clear and open mind about it.”

So Sea Kings, if you have a month or two free this summer maybe the Camino to Santiago de Compostela is the right fit for you.