This week on the Spanish for the Camino podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming Cris Pacino, a Brazilian teacher who has lived in Spain for 20 years. She’s a seasoned pilgrim and Spanish language teacher, especially for Portuguese speakers, helping them to fulfill their dreams of communicating confidently in Spanish—whether for personal, professional, or academic goals.
You can listen to our conversation, in Spanish, on the podcast, or can continue reading a summary of our chat in English.
Cris’ connection to the Camino de Santiago traces back to her father, originally from a small village in Galicia. Growing up, she often heard him talk about it, but her true spark came at age 14 when she read The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. It ignited a lifelong goal: one day, she would walk the Camino herself.
She finally did it in 2008, walking part of the Camino Francés, from Burgos to Santiago, after a layoff offered the perfect chance. Cris knew months in advance that she was going to lose her job, so she used that time to prepare, hiking daily with her backpack to build stamina. Her first Camino experience was unforgettable. For her, it wasn’t just a hike—it was a powerful journey of self-discovery.
While her first journey was a solo pilgrimage, she had the support of her then-boyfriend, now husband, who had also walked the Camino and encouraged her to experience it independently. This solitude became an essential part of her pilgrimage, allowing her to connect deeply with herself. Walking alone gave her the freedom to process her thoughts. an experience she treasures, despite the now-changed nature of the Camino, which is often bustling with groups celebrating together.
Cris’ Camino Adventures
Since then, Cris has walked sections of the Camino de Madrid. In 2020, she completed the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago with a friend. In 2022, she went back to the Camino Francés and walked from Ponferrada to Santiago with her sister, who traveled from Brazil for this. Each of these journeys has held special significance for her, giving her fresh perspectives and cherished memories.
She hasn’t walked the Camino with her husband yet; maybe in the future, although work commitments make it hard.. However, Cris dreams of walking the stretch from Saint-Jean to Burgos in 2025 once her studies are complete.
On the Camino Francés in 2022
Since Cris is a Portuguese speaker and I live on the Camino Portugués, I took the opportunity to ask Cris for some Portuguese phrases to help pilgrims when they start their journey in Portugal. Cris happily shared a few essentials:
- Bom dia – Good morning
- Boa tarde – Good afternoon
- Boa noite – Good night
- Obrigado/Obrigada – Thank you (gendered: men say “obrigado,” and women “obrigada”)
- Por favor – Please
A Message to Future Pilgrims
As a parting message, Cris left a heartfelt reminder for anyone considering the Camino. She believes that the Camino truly begins the moment you imagine it. So, if the Camino has ever crossed your mind, you’ve already taken the first step. And don’t worry if you have uncertainties; the Camino will reveal itself to you in unexpected ways, often exceeding your expectations.
You can find out more about Cris at https://crispacino.com.br/
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