Morriña – The Calling

While walking the Camino de Invierno this past winter I knew I wanted to set up roots in Galicia. I stayed at a lovely Albergue towards the end of the Camino de Invierno, Albergue – Casa Leiras 1866. While I was gushing my love for Galicia to the kind owner, she informed of the word Morriña. The word is said to be the most beautiful word in Galician and I began to delve into its meaning.

The literal translation of Morriña is to be homesick. It’s a melancholy word that Galicians have when they miss their homeland, but I found a beautiful article that explained it best (which I can no longer find online). The article said, it was simply to “miss her.” This definition shook something in the depths in my soul and it clicked as to what the power of the word Morriña meant.

I have walked many Camino de Santiago routes, all which twist through and end in Galicia. As soon as you cross into Galicia, something changes.

In Galicia, the air is different, the culture and language are different, the weather resembles something more like Ireland. It’s so green, always. There is something noticeably different yet special about Galicia. Every time I walk a Camino, I can’t wait to reach Galicia. Not because it’s the end of the journey, but rather it’s because I want to walk alongside her. I feel connected to something deeper in “her” presence.

People always say that walking the Camino is walking home to yourself. For me, I find this the most comforting in the quiet corners of the Galicia countryside. She offers magic in her enchanted forests, there is something refreshing about her rivers, there is an ancient connection to the land from the druid cultures who lived here far before the Romans arrived. Her seas can be rugged, but oh so inviting and her green hillsides roll for as long as the eyes can see. You can’t help but be moved by her allurement. She allows us to be enchanted with her selflessly. It’s almost as if she lifts a veil and I am connected to something greater in the universe.