Camino Conversations: Maurice Frank—First Camino at 67 and Hooked by Day 5

I was delighted to be joined today by Maurice Frank who walked his first Camino de Santiago at age 67. Inspired years earlier by Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage and drawn to the Camino’s sense of community, Maurice finally set out after the COVID lockdowns. In 2023, he completed the 500-mile Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, an experience so powerful that by day five he already knew he wanted to do another. He describes three kinds of relationships on the Camino—families, friends, and familiar faces—and how each enriched his journey. Even setback became gifts that brought him solitude and new connectionsMaurice later walked the Camino Portugués from Porto, including the Spiritual Variant with its historic boat ride and forest path known as the Route of Stone and Water. Afterward, he extended to Finisterre and volunteered at Santiago’s Pilgrim House, helping fellow pilgrims transition after their journeys. Now preparing to repeat the Francés, Maurice explains that every Camino is different: he wants to revisit places more deeply, approach the trail with greater experience, and embrace how both he and the Camino have changed. His closing advice is simple—if you’re considering it, just go. The Camino offers an irreplaceable experience you won’t regret.(Note: The book that Maurice mentions that started his interest in the Camino is Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage.) More Camino ConversationsTo see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am.Subscribe to be notified about upcoming guests and topics!🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)[email protected] Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:* 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (1 hour): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. My husband and I live in a town of 6500 people on the Camino del Norte. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com