Many people ask me how do you know where you are going for 500 miles? Do you get lost? The answer to the last question is a resounding YES, one can get lost. In terms of how do you make it all the way to Santiago from the French/Spanish border?

Simple. Follow the yellow arrows. All along the way, on tree trunks, along the path, on walls of houses or restaurants are yellow arrows painted or spray painted along the pathway. “Keep your eyes open,” is the key mantra, especially when there is the ubiquitous “fork in the road,” and there are many.

In the 1980’s, a priest actually made it his mission to paint yellow arrows all along the way at various intervals. Also, there are metal signs with the arrow or a shell, which is a symbol of the Camino, pointing the way. Many of the larger towns or cities have metal shells embedded in the pavement. Before that, you were on your own. The key to remember: make sure you are walking West

Buen Camino.