Hike Day 5 - Fernanda to Valenca

We’ve been incredibly fortunate so far on our journey. Despite some challenges along the way, we’ve managed to avoid the wildfires and the transportation strike, keeping everything on track without missing a beat. We’ve been averaging about 10 miles of hiking each day, and although we’ve had two rainy days, with perhaps a couple more ahead, the rain has actually helped reduce the wildfire risk, so we consider ourselves lucky. As they say in Copenhagen, “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing,” and fortunately, our gear has held up well.

One of the highlights of our trip has been our stay at Casa Fernanda Hostel. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such warmth by our hosts. For just 30 euros, we were treated to a fabulous dinner and breakfast, and our hosts went above and beyond to make us feel at home. They were so busy serving us that they wouldn’t even let us clear the dishes. It was heartwarming to see how much they care for others, as our host left after dinner to tuck in her 101-year-old neighbor and returned after breakfast to help her get up for the day. She began each meal with a grace, offering prayers for peace and safety, a reflection of her deep compassion and selflessness as a Christian.

The camaraderie among the hikers has been another memorable aspect of this trip. We’ve had some great discussions with new friends from around the world, touching on topics like healthcare, politics, and the differences between our governments. Marian Yoder and I even played cards with two young men in their twenties—we taught them a game, and they taught us one in return. Casa Fernanda is a popular stop for Camino hikers, and we felt blessed that Dale had recommended it to us.

The rain persisted for most of today, and we kept bumping into familiar faces along the way—fellow hikers who had stayed at our hostel the previous night. We took a bus to avoid climbing over some mountains making our journey 2 less days. We went to a quaint town called Valenca that has walls all around it with some great shopping. It was pouring rain so we girls bought ponchos and medical supplies for our aching feet. Still no room in our backpacks for other souvenirs. Prices are reasonable in Portugal and we would love to shop. Tomorrow we will be in Spain wondering what their prices will be.

Today’s blog written by Debbie MinkLäs mer