Camino Day 5

​June 23

The Camino de Santiago joined my bucket list two years ago when I studied abroad in Spain and saw seashell markers for the Camino throughout downtown Valencia. I definitely had a romanticized view of the Camino before we started this week. It has proved to be both difficult and rewarding. 

We started this morning in Vila Praia de Ãncora in Portugal. Our apartment for last night was adorable, and we were hosted by a little elderly woman. She checked in on us this morning as we ate our leftovers for breakfast, along with pastel de nata.

Around 8:30am, we started our journey for the day! We started our 10 mile day walking through town, wove our way along the ocean, found drinks and pastries in another town, and then walked through Caminha, Portugal. There, we caught water taxis to transport us across the border (Minho River) into Spain!

In Caminha, we caught water taxis to transport us across the border (Minho River) into Spain!

We finished the day hiking through some beautiful greenery to get to A Guarda, Spain. I spent most of the day walking solo, which I have found is much more relaxing than racing to keep up with my speedy family. I’m in no rush during these walking days. Our new slogan is “Everyone walks their own Camino” and I embrace that wholeheartedly.

Once in A Guarda, we had drinks and Italian food until it started to rain on our outdoor patio tables.

We checked into our hotel which is so far the hotel that most resembles a hotel in the US. We showered, relaxed, and eventually walked downhill to the ocean. We found another restaurant for dinner where we ordered approximately 10 appetizers, along with our meals. Palmer calls it “hiker hunger.”

We decided that tomorrow morning would be a late start so we stayed out later than normal. We walked along the pier as Dagny and Alastair attempted to catch various fish and crabs with their bare hands.

I’ve learned many things in the last 5 days on the Camino. I’ve learned how to coordinate the portering of our 6 bags each day. I’ve learned more about this part of the world. I’ve been reminded that I can do hard things and that it is rewarding to put myself into uncomfortable situations. 8 more days left!

Adelaide