A few weeks ago, I was talking to someone about some challenges and they suggested that I try a pilgrimage on the Camino. I had never heard of it and haven’t done much long distance hiking. I decided to plan things last minute and traveled from Sarria to Santiago.
I’ve read a lot about how crowded it is, but I didn’t really experience that other than a few places where it looked like high school age groups gathered. It probably helped that 4 of my 5 days it rained heavily and was cold.
I met some great people from all over the world and learned a lot of valuable lessons for what to do if I try another route (#1 for me, a 15 euro poncho beats the heck out of an expensive rain coat after hours of downpours!). I’ll add that I was somewhat prepared for the distances, but the elevation changes were crazy. Looking at my walking app and seeing 33,000 steps + 221 “floors”was shocking. In some areas, I was starting to think that the uphill climb would never end and would just keep going to the sky!
Thanks to everyone on this forum who posts and gave me ideas and inspiration. And, I was lucky to see the swinging of the Botofumiero during the Pilgram’s Mass!
Now begins the road to recovery for my feet and legs!🥴