The Death of Running with the Bulls vs. The Life of the Camino

“Another Book Inspired by Spain”

Because I write what I call fictional travel memoirs, I need locations that are rich in history, steeped in adventure, and filled with local, colorful characters. And now in two of my books, the country of Spain has inspired me for all those reasons and more.

The first time was in my previous book, Bulls, Bands, and London, where I ran with the bulls during Pamplona’s San Fermin Festival. Sure, London was the primary focus of the story but Pamplona was where the main character was truly challenged and had to make a life-altering decision—while risking his life being pursued by a half-dozen frightened bulls.

I visited a local albergue where many of these walkers were staying and discovered a diverse group of people from all over the world; travelers who were determined to walk 800 kilometers across Spain, along an ancient Roman trading route, towards Santiago de Compostela. Each walker had their own personal reason for their demanding journey. Some had just quit their jobs. Others had just quit their marriages. Some just needed to unplug from their stressful lives back home. Whatever their reason they were all united in their belief that walking across the country would help them heal from their hurts—or stimulate their minds in order to live their lives better when they returned home.

After so much death and danger encountered in Pamplona during the Running of the Bulls (specifically in the bullfights that followed the morning race), the Camino was a welcome tonic: a life-affirming adventure that flew in the face of the desperate escape from potential harm that one only encountered during the San Fermin Festival. That both events crossed paths in Pamplona was equally eerie and enriching.
 

“A New Journey, A New Book”

So in June 2014, I joined this pilgrim party and walked the Spanish Camino from Pamplona to Santiago. The adventure had everything I needed to write my next book. I had the rich history of the Camino; I uncovered interesting anecdotes in every town; and I met wonderful characters from around the world. All I needed to do was add my fictional story.

To outside pilgrims scattered across the globe this Camino was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some serious soul-searching. To Spanish pilgrims, this 800 kilometer trek was almost a rite of passage: a journey every Spaniard must make in order to test the body, free the mind, nurture the soul—and truly understand what it means to be Spanish.

https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt/

https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/title-cover-trailer/

https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/top-4-enemies-of-the-camino/

https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/why-you-should-walk-the-camino/
 
And for more information on Shadows, Shells, and Spain… click “Books” in the above menu!