Songs of Santiago

This is a two week-long songwriting retreat  in northern Spain that focuses on mindfulness, songwriting, walking and their intertwining. Beginning in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and ending in the fishing village of Muxía (Galicia), we will walk, each morning, along this historic road, in the company of one another and other pilgrim ‘peregrinos.’ Between days of walking, we will write songs together (‘cowrites’), every other day. We will walk through one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino, and the only one to depart from Santiago de Compostela, Spain, through a region known worldwide for its seafood, wines and Celtic (Galician) music and cultural traditions. After arriving in Fisterra and watching the sunset at the lighthouse,we will then walk to Muxía, to its sanctuary by the ocean and 'magic' stones.

Each day, songs and song prompts will focus on a different sense and section of the Camino, allowing us to slowly arrive in the new places we are walking through. On the final night, we will perform our songs in a final concert for other pilgrims in the fishing village of Muxía. In Muxía, each participant may receive a Camino Certificate of Completion, called the ‘Muxiana.' These certificates are written in Galician (Gallego) and signed by the town mayor. Special expeditions planned to see the sunset at the Lighthouse in Finisterre and to the Sanctuary of our Lady of the Boat (patron saint of fisherpeople) in Muxía. (Option to continue walking back to Santiago de Compostela on your own after the end of the retreat.) Retreat is taught in bilingual, English-Spanish fashion. While Spanish language skills are not required for successful participation in the retreat, knowledge of Spanish and English is immensely useful for navigating the Camino, being in Spain, and writing songs. Therefore, priority is given to participants with knowledge of a musical instrument and Spanish-language speaking ability. Workshop capped at 10 participants to ensure a low participant-facilitator ratio, relationships with our Spanish hosts,  and successful community building, throughout.

We will walk approximately 7-10 miles (10-20 km), every other day, from roughly  9 a.m.-3 pm, totaling 71 miles (115 km) over twelve days. On the days we are not walking, we will write songs. On all days, we will begin with a guided mindfulness meditation and guided creative writing prompts. 

 We will stay in a different hostel or “albergue,” most  nights. Transport service for both musical Instruments and backpacks is available for an extra fee, each day ($7/day/item). Songwriters wishing to participate but unable to walk the daily distances are still welcome to register; affordable alternative modes of transportation (bus, taxi or train, depending on location) are available at roughly $20/day. Sleeping accommodations are a combination of shared, mixed-gender rooms and in private double and triple rooms, also in Albergues (rooms are assigned as same-gender unless otherwise requested). Accommodations are simple, comfortable and clean; each Albergue (hostel) where we will stay has been personally vetted by the facilitator. In most cases, dinner is offered by the Albergues where we will sleep/stay.