The Spiritual Variant

August 21, 2025. Pontevedra to Combarro, Spain. 13 kilometers. This picture is how I think I look while walking the Camino - so serene and peaceful. But in reality, I'm a sweaty, red-faced mess and although it's hot and really difficult at times, it's also very rewarding.
Today I left Pontevedra in a swarm of pilgrims who were all chatting and it was like being a part of a busy beehive that was always buzzing. Some groups had a guide leading them, while others were walking their own Camino, but all were less than 60 kilometers from Santiago which would be their end goal.
And then we came to a junction and I turned onto the Spiritual Variant Camino and just like that all the noise was gone. The crowd went from 100 to about 20 pilgrims and I could hear the birds again. The atmosphere changed from an excited, buzzing energy to a quiet, calm pace again.
The Spiritual Variant is a loop of the Camino that adds kilometers to the trail, and follows the last part of the journey of the Apostle St James' remains which are now held in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Buen Camino!Lue lisää