Hike Day 8 - Radondela to Pontevedra

Today might have been the most rewarding day on our Camino, filled with reunions—crossing paths with people and groups we’ve met earlier in our journey.

Imagine walking into a tiny, out-of-the-way café, and there they are—fellow peregrinos like the father and son from Holland we met days ago. The father, at 81, keeps a steady pace, focused and serious, carrying his own pack without complaint. His son is deeply grateful for this shared experience. Or picture struggling up a steep hill, breathless, only to hear “Hi, Pennsylvania!” from a pilgrim you met just yesterday.

In just a few days, we’ve formed a sort of Camino family. We may not know each other’s names, but we recognize each other by where we’re from—Alberta, Mexico, Hungary, Oklahoma. The joy of seeing each other again feels like reuniting with close friends.

One highlight was meeting a woman from Alberta, Canada, who, to our surprise, had once lived just minutes away from Marian C.'s former home in Pennsylvania. She was thrilled when we gave her a Philadelphia pin, especially since her sons are big Eagles fans.

Today was also the toughest day physically, with steep climbs and descents, often over rocky terrain. But just as we finished the hardest sections, we were rewarded by beautiful stretches of dappled sunlight, lush greenery, and peaceful streams. The Camino has a way of providing exactly what you need.

We’ve noticed more fellow peregrinos on the trail, particularly solo women or pairs of women, ranging from young travelers to seniors like us.

Food has become more accessible too, with roadside cafés, food trucks, and pop-up stalls for snacks and souvenirs. These will surely increase as we draw closer to Santiago.

Todays blog post is by Marian CaroselliRead more