It’s been a few months since we completed Mindful Steps, an Erasmus+ youth exchange that took us along the Camino de Santiago in a very special way: with an international group of motivated young people, on hot July days with no rush to reach any destination.
This time, the goal wasn’t Santiago. In fact, we stayed far from it, as our focus was on mental health and mindfulness. We wanted to create a space for self-reflection, connection with the present moment, and the stunning natural surroundings of El Bierzo—and we truly succeeded!
We started with no hurry in the old town of Ponferrada, where we spent the first two days getting to know the route and our fellow travelers from Greece, Estonia, and Romania. As hosts, we organized plenty of activities to explore the city, which happened to coincide with the magical Templar Nights festival.
On the third day, after an early rise, we set off on the Camino de Invierno, a route that crosses Valdeorras and brings back great memories for us. The first day’s pilgrimage took us through many small villages to Cornatel Castle, where we spent the night at the secluded Villavieja hostel, with no mobile signal, just us under a blanket of stars.
At this point, surrounded by nature, we immersed ourselves in meditation activities, card games, and group reflections. The next day, after exploring the inside of Cornatel Castle, we continued our journey to Lake Carucedo, where we stayed for the rest of the trip.
What made this project truly special was that the participants got to lead some of the activities themselves. Ioana from Romania guided several meditation sessions, which were new and impactful for many. Gedi from Estonia led a yoga class by the lake, and Astrid hosted an impromptu dance session. It was amazing to support each other’s learning and participate in each other's ideas.
The dynamic of this Erasmus+ group was incredible—so proactive! We even felt we could’ve taken a longer route with them. They were particularly interested in learning about a healthy lifestyle, with their curiosity and passion inspiring everyone to learn about new habits like connecting with nature, eating healthily (they ate tons of fruit), and staying active with various sports.
Besides the iconic hike through Las Médulas and its Roman caves, there was time for volleyball and a lovely afternoon kayaking on Lake Carucedo. We even did a 24-hour phone challenge, where several participants chose to give up their phones for a few days to be fully present.
As the days passed, we all noticed how the balance between body and mind grew stronger, allowing us to enjoy the moment without distractions. Every conversation, every kilometer walked, and every moment of shared silence was an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, focus on what really matters, and take lessons that will stay with us. The magic of the Camino de Santiago isn’t just about reaching Compostela—it’s about the steps we take and the people we share them with.
Without a doubt, this won’t be the last one.
Until the next Erasmus+ adventure!
Comentarios