Epilogue: The Silver Way
Wrapping up the adventure and talking about what's next!
What a journey it has been.
When I finished walking, I found myself in a sort of limbo. It felt strange not to be walking miles and miles every single day, moving forward constantly to somewhere new and seeing new faces, new landscapes, and outside at the mercy of the elements for most of my time.
It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing that at the end of my week in Galicia - where I stayed with my family for some time - that I’d go back home to London, to “normal” life”, but where I’d also be starting a new chapter of my life as a self-employed photographer and a business owner. I hoped I could take with me some of the feelings of serenity and calm that had come to me sometimes on the trail, some of the lessons I’d learnt. I left for home, knowing I’d inevitably be back sooner or later.
Retelling the story
Looking back now, I’m unbelievably glad I made the decision to do the walk that year. It was less than a year later that the words “Coronavirus” and “pandemic” entered our daily vocabulary, and we locked down for the very first time.
I started writing this diary/memory/story (I’m still not sure what to call it) in September 2020 thinking I’d have a fun little experiment to work on for a few months. It’s now six months on (half a year! Wild) and next week, on March 31st, it’ll be two years since I first set off on the Via de la Plata. I can’t quite believe that.
I have enjoyed the experience so much; going through all the photographs, words I wrote, words I didn’t write and memories forgotten, memories remembered, and all during this strange time of restricted movement and freedom.
It was wonderful to share it with all of you. I can’t express how much I appreciate every single one of you who read, liked or commented and shared their own stories along the way; having made a move to take a step back from social media, the support and love I’ve received through this newsletter has been wholly encouraging and so rewarding.
If you enjoyed the series, I would love it if you shared The Silver Way with a friend you think might enjoy the story, or on social media.
What’s next?
For a while, I’ve been wondering about where to take this newsletter next after the adventure ended. It was only intended to be a one-off, but I now find myself wanting to continue in one way or another.
So, I’ve decided to adapt this into a regular adventure-focused newsletter and I’ll carry on sharing travelogue-style photography + words during upcoming adventures - hopefully, those upcoming adventures will be sooner than later.
Already on my list are: walking the Kungsleden (Sweden), the Sultan’s Trail - another pilgrimage which crosses much of Europe - to Istanbul (Turkey), an attempt at the Cambrian Way (UK) which I was supposed to do back in April 2019, and countless other thrilling escapades I’ve been thinking about.
Until then, I’m hoping to share smaller stories from this past year more along the lines of “micro-adventures”, and perhaps another travelogue-style retelling.
Of course, you’re welcome to sign off and unsubscribe if you decide you don’t fancy following along - inbox space is precious and I completely understand. You can unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
However, if you’re happy to stay, then watch this space!
I’ll be taking a little break now to collect my thoughts, but I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, stay safe.
Until next time,
A x
About me
Hey! Ameena here - I’m a freelance portraiture and documentary photographer based in London. I enjoy telling stories about adventure, the outdoors, and our relationship with the natural world.
In this newsletter, I’m digitally retracing my steps on the Camino de Santiago. From March to May 2019, over 45 days, I walked over 900km along the Via de la Plata (the Silver Way) route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.
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I've really enjoyed following your journey, especially since we were only a couple of weeks behind you on the via de la Plata!
It's been wonderful to go on this journey with you, to 'walk' alongside or even in your footsteps. Thank you.