Villafranca del Bierzo

Life never goes as we plan. While life on the Camino is different, it’s still life. All this to say, my plans have been disrupted. The last few days I walked, I’d have 5-15 minutes a couple times of some intense low back/glute pain. I was a bit nervous about the 15 mile walk from Ponferrada to Villafranca having experienced this, but I already had reservations, and it was generally so short-lived that I figured I’d be ok. The first half of the walk was ok- low energy, but no pain. I was finally getting into it when the stabbing pain started back up. Fortunately I was entering a town, so I figured a little coffee break and I’d be good to go. Wrong. It was still there when I got up to keep walking, but I figured it would just take some time. I walked past a posting for a taxi, thought “I should take a photo just in case” and then forgot to do so 🤦‍♀️ The next 8+ miles were brutal. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to dig that deep to push through. Little by little, I made it to the best hostel I’ve been in. The hospitalero is wonderful. I hoped to find a physiotherapist here who could help me, but alas, there isn’t one. So today I’m catching a bus to Sarria, where the last 100km of the Camino starts. My current plan is to stay there for 3 nights before walking again, but I’m trying to not make too many plans at this point. I’m bummed about it, but hopeful that I’ll be back on the Camino in a few days.Read more