There’s a movie about the Camino de Santiago called ‘The Way’ starring Martin Sheen. I hate it. It’s a plodding and predictable piece of propaganda which celebrates the obvious and considers subtlety a sin.

And right now, about 90% of the Camino De Santiago groupies are yelling at me. They all Loooooove that movie, apparently. If they actually exist…more on that down the page…

Now, though “The Way” is a textbook course about how to turn any incredible experience into a boring stereotype, it does serve one other purpose. It’s the perfect Banner for the sub-genus of Human we must call The Camino Saint.

There’s a certain character that arises after you scan the Camino Santiago Facebook pages for about, oh let’s say, 45 seconds: The Camino Saint. They are brave, and tanned, and smile with the brightness of Colgate Toothpaste and All star Quarterbacks. They did not just walk the camino, they Communed! They immersed! They connected! They become one with the surroundings! They began to understand what was really important about the world! And they want to charge you 15.95 to tell you about it in 360-page detail. Ot just a couple bucks to download a PDF. Or 10 bucks to catch the new movie/docudrama/pilgrim-mentary they’re showing at the local Catholic Church. The attitude amongst these Saints is of absolute positivity. No mention of any bad experience or negative attitude about the Camino is tolerated. And the shape of your journey to Compestella must fit the Martin Sheen paradigm, or it is rejected outright.

But under this Persona lies yet another Camino Character! Well, that is to say, the absence of another. The Camino de Santiago pages are filled with fake profiles.

I have been researching fake profiles for a while, ever since the news about possible Russian/Chinese/North Korean influence on social media. It’s propaganda, and I love the history of propaganda! Here’s an example of some propaganda posters from World War Two:

As I shamelessly sought to sell my blog, just like the Angels I cursed before me, I discovered that the plethora of Facebook pages About The Camino De Santiago were rife with fake profiles. Even several of the the Administrators were fake. One was Administered by an AI chatbot. I contacted FB and several admins in the rooms. There was no response. At All.

Were there many people who real? Yes, but in some cases less than half of the profiles I checked. Were some pages more real others? Yes. Yes my research exhaustive? No, just exhausting.

I have tried to make my experience on the Camino de Santiago about understanding, compassion and growth. Sadly, I have come to learn I was wrong to expect that from others. Even in the smallest ways, the Proffiteers of the Camino De Santiago seek to deceive, obfuscate and enforce a narrative that prevents spiritual growth–for money. They sell their Faith just like every other Object on the internet.

I gotta admit, my heart’s a little broken here, which is why I haven’t posted in a while. Yeah, I hear myself being childishly naive. Dishonest people on the internet?? Big Shock. Religious people lied? No kidding!! The thing is, I’m new to broken heartedness, so it still stings. As a younger person, I never fully gave myself to anyone or anything. Now, as I have started wanting to give myself fully, I find it hard to work past the disappointments.

Also, as I feel this kind of hurt, I understand better the pain I’ve caused in others. I haven’t liked it much. The Dharma teaches us that understanding is wonderful, but it also burns. It sears. It crushes, and it illuminates the worst along with the best, making both extremes mere twisted mirrors of each other.

hooray. nirvana.

I’m not trying to piss off the Camino Saints, but I have to come clean and say that I’m bored Shitless just perusing the titles of all the journals, testimonials, novels and yes, Blog Posts about the Camino. And I understand that people on the Camino went through a life changing journey that should be respected….maybe. Remember, half the people on there were Salesmen or Fakes. The other half seemed to be fine with their ‘sacred life changing journey’ being Sold like a Medieval indulgence. I don’t think I want to be that kind of pilgrim.

So, though I did the Camino, I am not a pilgrim. I am not an angel. I am not a Christian and I am not even a good person. But I’m trying, Bhudda, I’m trying real hard…

This is not your Camino.

Buen Camino.