Published: July 2023   I haven’t done any traveling by myself for a very long time. In my 20’s I spent two weeks traveling alone in Kathmandu, Varanasi, Agra, and Delhi India after finishing a 4-H exchange program in Nepal, and a few years later, a month alone in Mexico

Photo: My first Camino glee of completion       Firstly deep gratitude to Tom Gustafson for loaning me this fantastic poncho. I didn’t need to use it until today, and it lightly rained nearly the entire 16 miles into Santiago from Padron, except for the last hour.    

Photo: Inside the Cathedral at Santiago De Compostela      Saint James holds an important role in the Catholic faith. Not only was he one of Jesus’ original Twelve Apostles who was also present at the Transfiguration, he is believed to have carried out Jesus’ ministry to the far reaches

Photo: I started meditating regularly about a year and a half ago and I often go into churches on the Camino to do just that. I love their cool, dank feel. They smell like they are centuries old, although it’s not unpleasant.       The day started out cloudy

The short answer is yes, as the people of Galicia fall under Spanish law. But they are designated as an “autonomous community” of Spain and they clearly think if themselves as Galician versus Spanish. Galicia is located on the NW part of Spain and is most famous for its city,

Photo: Pontevedra streets     I had a big social day. I walked with three lovely, smart, interesting 20 year olds from England for the first 2 hours of the day. The have been friends since high school and all go to separate universities now. They were encouraged to hear

Photo: Galician prepared octopus (a little weird 🤷‍♀️)     Redondela was busy! Since the Portuguese Camino routes all merge here, the walking vibe is suddenly and noticeably quite different. Also, to receive a Camino certificate of completion, a Compostela, in Santiago, one needs to walk the last 100 kilometers

Photo: Pazo Pias was first built by a wealthy public notary in the early 17th century that was part of the Spanish I nquisition. It was burnt and ransacked by Portuguese invaders in 1665 so walls were fortified and built taller than most Pazos. It was eventually given to the

Photo: Maria, Charlotta and Freida         I suspect my hardest and longest day of walking on the Camino will have occurred yesterday, day 6. The official route I had chosen is 28.4 km but in an attempt to get away from walking in the high winds near

Photo: Walking into Viana do Castelo       I crossed the wide Lima River to reach beautiful Viana do Castelo after walking through multiple coastal villages in hills of evergreen and eucalyptus forests. I liked more up and down walking for a change versus the flatness of walking close

Photo: Pastelaria Clarinha was worth waiting for! Fao is famous for its Clarinha pastry. It is a “secret” recipe with a sugared squash and egg filling. It was yummy!     I walked 12 km out of the gate with only a 10 minute break on a curb before finally

Photo: Walk begins at Porto cathedral. Just follow the arrow and shell to Santiago     I will “attempt” to walk 173 miles from Porto Portugal to Santiago Spain on an established Camino Pilgrim’s route. I say attempt because I have an arthritic left hip that causes me discomfort and

Photo: New Friend Carol       In Porto I met up with Carol, a new friend that Eileen Brady introduced me to because we were doing exactly the same Camino walk this sumner. Serendipitously Carol finished her Camino walk just as I was starting and we were able to