Walking Across Italy

Today we crossed the 200 km mark as we hiked the 14.5 miles from Redondela to Pontevedra, Spain. The trail today was very pretty as we walked in the woods and skirted two inlets of the Atlantic Ocean (as you can see on the map). But I have to say that we couldn’t really enjoy the pastoral setting because there were so many pilgrims on the route with us.

There were groups of 4, 6, 8, and ever 16 people traveling in packs like wolves. One minute you are enjoying the tranquility of communing with nature, and the next minute you are surrounded by a swarm of Spanish, Japanese, or Russian tourists acting like frenzied shoppers at a Black Friday sale! We heard that this might happen because a lot of people say they are “doing the Camino”, but only walking the last 100k kms. And we expect that it’s only going to get more crowded as we get closer to Santiago.

Now, instead of just complaining in this blog post, I’d like to tell you a little bit about the traditions on the Camino.

People hike this trail for various reasons — (1) to find their way back to God, (2) to work through a personal problem or loss, (3) to find peace in nature, (4) to enjoy the camaraderie of others, or (5) to just get some exercise. There is a belief that each traveler should leave something to the Camino for the rewards that it gives. Some people leave their troubles, symbolized by the rocks and pebbles they find along the trail and carry to another spot.

Some people leave gifts for the other travelers, represented by flags, shells, bracelets and trinkets. (It’s like a Taylor Swift bracelet swap without the overpriced concert tickets.)

Some people mark their passage on the Camino by making crosses out of twigs and attaching them to fences. (As you can see, this requires very little artistic ability.)

Juan Pablo and I have decided to leave something very unique and personal on the Camino this year – our “maniche dell’amore” (Love Handles) Yes, we believe that we are hiking so intensely everyday, that those pesky blobs of extra beefcake are just melting away. What was once a handful of jiggly manhood, is now merely a pinch of taught, firm lateral muscle. We hope the Camino appreciates our gift. We expect our wives definitely will.