The Group
What comes to mind first and foremost is our group—a sort of quartet: the four of us and Vika. And this isn’t just a figure of speech—we even have our own verse in a song about this journey.
At first, we all seemed very different—like separate worlds that had accidentally come together for two weeks. But the road quickly erases those boundaries: you share thoughts, feelings, and things you usually don’t have time for in everyday life. And eventually, you start to see everyone as a close friend.
I remember how we’d lie down facing our destination—it really helps, because we actually made it! 😁
We joked that whoever fell behind would have to spend the night in pilgrim shelters, where everything is very spartan compared to our accommodations.
There was so much beauty all around and so many shared moments—even unexpected ones, like jumping into the pool at the team leader’s suggestion 😝
The Movie *The Way* & Reality
Speaking of the movie. I watched *The Way* after our hike and realized: our hike was more interesting. Or maybe it’s just that personal experiences are always the most valuable 💫
What really resembles the movie is that the most interesting people are the lone pilgrims: you’ll always run into someone with an incredible story.
The closer you get to Santiago, the more pilgrims there are: some you’ve already met, some you’ve exchanged a few words with, and some you’re genuinely happy to see again.
Food and Wine
Seafood was a special focus 🙂 And here I came to my own culinary conclusion: not everything is my cup of tea, but octopus and razor clams—I absolutely love them.
Wine for the same price as a bottle of water—I can’t believe it, even though I saw it with my own eyes 🙃
The Locals
The locals are especially warm. They greet us, cheer us on, and wish us a safe journey.
But what touched me most was a little girl, about seven years old: she ran after us in her school uniform just to shout, “Buen Camino!”
You could tell how much she didn’t want to let us pass—and how special this moment was for her ❤️
Weather and Other Adventures
The weather was mixed: mostly hot and dry, but on two rainy days we got soaked to the bone—and it actually turned out to be a pleasant experience because it was warm.
A few days by the ocean—and you feel like a character from the movie *Reaching for the Sky* 🌊
The ocean is beautiful in any weather. And if you want to truly experience it—this is definitely the place for you.
We also took a motorboat to cross from one part of the route to another. Apparently, the tourist ferries weren’t running because of the storm, so we made arrangements with the locals.
And since we were moving from the Portuguese side to the Spanish side—in the rain and waves—it looked a bit like an illegal migration 😆
In contrast, that same evening we stayed at a historic family villa with a pool 🤩
If you haven’t bought a pair of Hoka hiking shoes yet—I can tell you how, with a little teamwork, you can pick out, try on, and buy a new pair—and toss your old ones—just 10 minutes before the store closes along your route 💪
I didn’t have any religious intentions, but… my feet were the first to “convert” to Catholicism.
No matter where I am, I always love to step into a church, temple, or chapel—just for a few minutes of peace: to sit on a bench, close my eyes, breathe, and calm down, feeling as though time itself has stopped here.
In bustling cities, these are true oases of peace amid the hustle and bustle. And on a hike, where you spend many hours on your feet, it’s also a sweet opportunity to rest: to admire the architecture or simply give your eyes a break.
Here’s a tip—just go with what the tour leader recommends 😃
This applies to both gear and local dishes and foods.
