Camino: May 30

We began building our mileage today, and it actually felt shorter than our "short days!" We went over two mountains, but it was a gradual climb so not bad at all. We got a glimpse of the ocean while we were on the mountain as well. It was, of course, so beautiful!

We arrived at the albergue very early, around noon! This was great because we beat the heat and had time to spend with the other pilgrims here. We had to wait for the albergue to officially open so time was passed by popping blisters (the second picture is my disgusting food), dancing, and taking naps

Alissa and I also went to the supermarket to buy our lunch for tomorrow. It's amazing how much yummy food you can get for so little euros!! (We didn't actually buy ice cream though.)

Our devotion tonight was about silence and solitude on the Camino. Lydia did a great job challenging us with ways we can take advantage of the time we have while we are here. 

The Germans cooked us dinner tonight and it was INCREDIBLE. I forgot to take a picture so you'll just have to trust me. Cucumber salad, potato salad, and pasta with goat cheese. Yum.

We finished the night off with a few games of UNO. It is a very popular way to close out the night apparently. 

So now we try to fall asleep to the melodies of snores. Good luck. Tomorrow we will do even more mileage than today. However, it will be a slow-pace day in preparation for our long day on Monday!

Please pray:

A man in our albergue from Cyprus-he has an extremely high fever, has been throwing up, and also has terrible blisters. He will go to the hospital in the morning. 

Ursula (one of our German friends) had to go to the hospital today for her leg pain. It has been very bad and they gave her and anti-inflammatory shot. ("Fun fact"...pilgrims get treated for free along the Camino as long as you show your passport. Hopefully we won't have to use that.)

Everyone's soreness and blisters, etc.

That we take advantage of our last 3 days on the Camino!

Camino: May 29

I can't believe we are halfway done with our hiking days! It's so strange because the minutes and hours seem long but the days fly by. Today was a short day of hiking, under 9 miles. Sue hiked with Alissa and I all day, and it was fantastic. We had great conversation and it is amazing how the Camino brings people and opportunities together. Thankfully we arrived in the city just in time, because the albergue only had 35 beds. Only about 5-6 people were allowed in after us. 

While we were hiking today, we saw lots of new people. One of those groups was a large Italian family traveling together. They were all trying to get a picture so I offered to take it. Instead, they had Alissa, Sue, and I join in. To make a long story short, we are now friends with them. We also found out that the dad is the very loud snorer. Haha. Tonight, Lenny volunteered Alissa and I to help them make a large dinner. At 6, we met in the common area to go shopping with them at the market. Let me tell you...it is very entertaining to go places with people you can't understand...AT ALL. Lots of hand gestures and laughing. We were cooking for over 20 people tonight so our cart was very full. We couldn't carry the bags so we had to push the cart back through the town to the albergue. It was hilarious. 

Alissa and I had a blast trying to figure out what we should do in the kitchen. The meal took a bit longer than expected because there was only 1 pot to make everything in and we ate around 9:20pm. "Family meals" are one of my absolute favorite parts of the Camino. Food is something that brings strangers together for a good time. 

So tonight we are resting in the beautiful town of Redondela before waking 12 miles to Pontevedra tomorrow. Our mileage will begin to build up to our long day on Monday!

Please pray:

Friendships that are forming

Healthy, minimum-blistered bodies

Good rest

Camino: May 28

All of us were up and out the door a bit later this morning. We didn't have as many miles to cover today, so we took advantage of a little extra sleep. After having an amazing croissant a café con leche for breakfast, we set out on our route. The weather this morning was beautiful, cool and breezy. I'm starting to think everything is a bit more beautiful when you're not used to the view...even the flowers look prettier here. 

The route today splits into two options. The alternate route is a little bit longer, but offers a shady and scenic trail. The original part is known as the "industrial zone" and features an extremely long stretch of flat, shade-less road surrounded by warehouses and industrial plants. We stopped for lunch and as it turns out, had missed the turn off for the alternate route. So as we began walking again, Alissa and Lenny decided to be adventurous and tried to find the alternate route. (After jumping a fence, they were successful!) On the other hand, Hannah, George, and I felt like following the arrows. I'll admit I regret that decision a bit. (I am also severely lacking pictures because there was nothing very picturesque, nor did I have the energy to care to take them. Haha)

Walking through the industrial zone was not physically stressful so much as mentally challenging. It got extremely hot today and I could feel the sun burning my skin. It stretched on for a while, but finally we reached a cafe and got to sit down. It felt amazing. With a few miles left to go, we were hesitant to leave the cafe in the intense sun. I cannot say how relieved (and maybe grumpy) I was when we finally found the albergue.

We all got showered (perhaps one of the days I am actually really grateful for a cold shower) and cleaned up. Gathering some of our friends from the albergue, 14 of us headed to dinner. It was such a great time eating delicious food and enjoying the scenery around us. After dinner, Hannah, Alissa, and I stopped for some ice cream in a local shop. Best decision I made today. Then we hit the grocery store to buy our lunches for tomorrow. A huge load of freshly baked bread for .55€? It's heavenly. 

When we got back, we played a few games of UNO in the common area before heading up to bed. 

Please pray:

For the team's physical ailments (blisters, soreness, sunburn, etc.)

For our friends who are hiking the Camino with us

**Yesterday I asked for prayer for Natalie. Today she ended up taking a taxi to Santiago because she could not walk further due to injury. She already has a Compastela from past Camino so she will just stay and enjoy the city until her plane leaves on Sunday. Please continue to pray for her recovery!

Camino: May 27

Today's hike was much less strenuous than yesterday, but the same mileage (about 12.4 miles). A few people set out early to beat the heat because it got up near 90 today, and a long stretch of the trail didn't have any shade. George, Alissa, and I kept out steady pace...we are aiming to keep out feet as fresh as possible for the long days on the horizon. Nonetheless, I have multiple blisters that are growing by the day, and Alissa is working on a few as well. (I will be sure to post pictures when we decide to pop them the Camino way. What a treat.) 

One of the first sights of the day was a pasture of cows, so obviously that was a great moment for me. I had to keep tradition from last year and get a picture with one.

 

Cafe stops were MUCH appreciated today because of the heat and lack of shade. We made multiple stops and are enjoying the amazing, inexpensive food and beverages. 1L of water here cost only 1€ today compared to a small bottle on the Camino Frances last year costing about 3-4€.

Upon entering Valença, Alissa and I parted ways with George a bit because we wandered a little ways off the path to explore a fortress and the old part of town. It was GORGEOUS and well worth the extra mileage.

It worked out perfectly because we met up with the rest of the team before crossing the bridge into Spain. We took a few last pictures in Portugal and then walked right into Spain (and took more pictures). We are staying in Tui, the minimum distance for peregrinos (pilgrims) to start on the Camino Portugues in order to get a Compstela.

Our devotional tonight was given by George and was about pain and the role it plays on the Camino, but perhaps in life as well. It's so impactful to learn such simple, practical, and challenging lessons while you are really encountering those things. 

Tonight we ate out at a restaurant with 3 German girls who we have formed relationships with in the past few days, Natalie, Stephanie, and Birgid. (Natalie spent much of the day hiking with George, and then Alissa and I joined them. She hiked the whole Camino Frances two years ago, and has yet to get a blister...ever.) Most places offer a "pilgrim menu" which is one of the best things ever invented. You get your choice of meat/fish, two sides, a drink, bread, coffee and dessert for 8€. So much delicious food. 

After dinner we came back to the albergue, which closes its doors for the night at 10 (we BARELY made it), and all spent time together outside while the sun set. We are very grateful to be on a different floor than our snoring friend tonight. Hopefully we can all rest well!

Tomorrow is a shorter day, only a little over 9 miles. The goal is to take our time, and we should still arrive around lunch. We will encounter many more people along the way tomorrow since many people start at this minimum distance point. 

Please pray:

Natalie had an injury on the Camino 2 years ago that she is still recovering from and has been having pain trouble the past few days

Many more opportunities with people tomorrow as some set out on their journey

Continued health for the team

Hannah has sunburn really bad, maybe sun poisoning, and so please pray for quick healing and minimum pain (it is hard to wear long layers in such heat!)

Camino: May 26

"Stupid Americans"... That was the reaction we got when people found out we were starting on this part of the Camino as our first day. Known as one of the most difficult days because of the trail terrain, we were expecting an extremely rough day. Most of us were out the door by 7:15, which allowed us to get most of our hike in before the heat started settling in. We had 20km (about 12.4 miles) ahead of us, and a gorgeous, cloudless sky. The whole group basically split into 3 smaller groups: Lenny, Jon, Lydia, and Hannah led the pack with a quick pace (they're invincible), Alissa and I carried the middle with a comfortable pace, and George, Sam, and Abel brought up the rear (they took full advantage of rest stops and enjoyed each minute of the views)! 

We were so grateful that we didn't have to climb long stretches of solid rock, but it rather came in short stretches. In some places, we were literally climbing from rock to rock, and then in the easier areas, it was flat stretches of sand and dirt. With all the hype about how difficult the trail was, I was expecting it to be much worse. I was very grateful for that because it made the day seem like it flew by! We got to the albergue around 1:30, ate lunch, showered, and settled in for the evening. I think I am also the first on the team to get a blister! ...and so it begins!! :)

A little info on albergues... Albergue, hostel, and refugio are all synonymous. Only pilgrims are allowed to stay in these places (you must show your passport as well as your pilgrim credentials). At each of these places, pilgrims pay for a bed. We stay in rooms with many other people. So far, we have stayed at the municipal albergues. These are essentially the most cost efficient (only 5€ per person) and still include showers and a sometimes a kitchen to use. There are also sometimes options for a semi-private albergue in towns which cost between 8€-12€ per person. The municipals are all different sizes depending on the town. Tonight there are about 42 of us in one big room with all bunks (shout out to the 2 big snorers on the bottom bunks). It's a great experience because you truly get to have a communal living space. Everyone respects each other's things, and it is great fun spending the evening together with the other pilgrims. 

Back to the hiking portion though... 

Before reaching the mountain, Alissa and I stopped at a cafe to get something to eat. Before leaving, she had to hit the restroom because we were told there was no place to stop until the other side of the mountain. So she went in and apparently the door handle gets stuck easily and she got stuck in the bathroom. Hearing her struggle, another lady outside the bathroom helped her open the door. She came back outside to our table and was telling me this whole story and laughing. So then I had to use the bathroom before leaving and I asked her to stand outside the door in case I got stuck as well. Sure enough, I got stuck. However despite her pushing and my pulling, we could not get the door open. A large German man, with 3 empty beer bottles on the able before 10am, came over and got the door open for me. Of course by this time the whole store, though small, was looking at me finally exiting the bathroom. Alissa and I were cracking up as we packed up our stuff and went on our way. Later on, after we had hiked the mountain, we were at another cafe stop talking to a woman from Australia. (She came with 3 friends, this is her FOURTEENTH Camino, and her first time on the Portuguese route.) We spoke about many things from American politics to crime rate, to world travel. (It is always quite interesting to hear foreigners' opinions of America in general, but today more specifically our politics. haha) As we were leaving she looks right at me and says, "Oh, are you the girl that got stuck in the toilet?" Alissa and I are again laughing, and I said, "Yes, I am the girl who was stuck in the toilet." Perfect. I'm so glad that's the mark I'll leave on this Camino. Hahaha

Tonight Lydia, Hannah, and Alissa made dinner under Abel's supervision. It was great! We don't have wifi here, which sometimes truly seems like a blessing. It's so interesting to see how some people flock to wifi when it's available (yes, I am one of them...), but how nice it is to not even have the option. We spent 9 hours at the albergue and it was a fantastic time talking, listening, and observing. 

Tomorrow we will do about the same mileage as today, with less difficult terrain. The local cafe opens at 7 for breakfast (which in Portuguese time basically means like 7:30 maybe). After that, we will stop at the market to buy our lunches to carry with us. From there, we begin the hike once again! We will also cross the bridge and enter into Spain, staying at an albergue in Tui. 

Please pray:

For sleep for our team (many of us are not getting any rest because of snoring)

Relationships beginning to form with fellow pilgrims

Leading of the Holy Spirit in each moment of the day, no matter what that looks like in each situation 

Camino: May 25

I'm so surprised how much wifi he have been hitting so far!

This morning we had breakfast near the albergue and then said goodbye to Susanne and Mark. 

After that, we toured around Porto for a few last hours before leaving. We ate lunch at an incredible restaurant on a river. Below you can see my selfie with my favorite two tourists. Haha...We're such Americans.

After lunch, we headed back to the albergue to pick up all of our gear and grab a bus to Ponte de Lima. Sam joined us at a metro stop (which was totally a God thing) and we made it to the bus with seconds to spare. 

We have arrived in Ponte de Lima! It is the oldest town in Portugal. After grocery shopping for breakfast and lunch tomorrow, we are settling in for the night. The city is beautiful, featuring a Roman bridge with views to die for. (Don't worry mom, I won't jump off any bridges this year...probably.) 

Tomorrow we start our hike on one of the most vigorous parts of the Portuguese Camino. More like a rock climb than a hike, it is sure to be a trying first day. Additionally, there are not any cafes until you reach the bottom. Mentally and physically tiring. It will be a great start!!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. All the little things add up to a successful trip. I am so grateful!

Please pray:

Our dinner tonight with other pilgrims

Solid rest tonight

Mental toughness as the day gets long

Physical stamina for one of our most strenuous days

Additional strength to make dinner tomorrow night for our fellow pilgrims