On the Camino again

This time I planned a group trip, originally for my neighbor Beth, and then I invited Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, CEO of El Buen Samaritano, to join us… Three ladies of a certain age undertaking the Camino de Santiago from Porto. Unfortunately an accidental injury has sidelined Beth. Rosamaria will be joining me on Monday, so I’m solo for a few days.

I left Porto at 6:45 this morning headed up the coastal path, the same way Rich and I traveled a few years ago. I had forgotten what a madhouse Porto is! And so many hills. I think I walked about 8 miles yesterday just in Porto.

My phone camera is kind of broken, so I am getting mostly out of focus shots. Isn’t that lovely? I’m hoping this photo leaving Porto along the Douro river looks good.

Misfortune struck about 30 mins into my walk when one of my poles broke. I brought my old favorite purple poles and seems like that was not a good idea. I’ve picked up a “leftover” pole at my hostel in LaBruge, so tomorrow I hope to be more comfortable.

So far I’ve met a lot of pilgrims, even a neighbor from one block away in Austin, several other Austinites, Canadians, Koreans, Aussies, etc. Most of them I’m sure I’ll never see again since I will head inland tomorrow to the Central Portuguese route.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, beautifully sunny with a slight breeze. So sorry I couldn’t share it with Beth and Rosamaria.