We are 5 days into our 9-day pilgrimage and we have settled into a comfortable groove. We’re up early each morning and are on the Camino when the air is still cool and the fog hangs low over the trail. My body is refreshed, and a single cup of café con leche convinces me that I can walk for the next 6 hours. It’s my favorite time of the day.

This morning we began our walk where we left off yesterday in Palas de Rei and quickly fell into our familiar rhythm. Several of us like to start out at a quick pace, reaching the morning checkpoints quickly to take advantage of the cool weather. Others are slow and steady, stopping at each monument for a rest, or popping into a bar along the way for a cappuccino and Spanish omelette (a thick cake made from finely chopped potato, onion, egg and cheese). Today we picnicked in Coto—a cool shady spot about 5 miles down the trail.

But too soon the fog burned off and the temperature rose quickly. Blisters popped out on Jon’s toes and my shins started barking at me each time I walked down a steep incline. There’s nothing a little duct tape can’t fix, so now both our feet are patched in an assortment of sticky silver tape. Even so, I feel giddy with excitement each time I sling my pack on my back and take another step along the Camino. Today we walked as far as Melide (about 11 miles total).

Although we are traveling to the same destination, I’ve come to know the others in our group well enough to know that we’re all walking a different journey. Everyone along the trail has a reason why they chose to make this pilgrimage—even if they can’t put it into words. Sometimes the most heartfelt words I hear during the day are, “Buen Camino!”

~Kristin