Day 4 - Pontevedra to Redondela

The goal for today is to spend a night in a hostel, also so that I can have a bit of company. However, this means I have to walk about 22 km today.

This morning, the alarm went off before 7 a.m., and to my surprise, the door of the guesthouse was still locked, so I couldn't get outside at all.

I’m still having breakfast now and looking forward to the new day, curious how my body will react, especially since my right foot had some issues.

Now I've truly arrived in the reality of pilgrimage!

App Tip: With English, one can hardly get by here in Galicia; I use Microsoft’s Translator app, which not only translates but also has perfect speech output.

I continue to walk kilometer after kilometer along the coast, initially on beautiful paths.

Eventually, though, I head towards the industrial city of Vigo. I’ll be on the road for quite a while, but I am rewarded with the old town of Vigo. There, I treat myself to a coffee and a tuna croissant, which is also a new experience.

Finally, I actually encounter the first female pilgrims of the day, and I speak to them in English. They are two lovely students from California, studying in Barcelona and Milan. Marty and Riley. Riley has a picture of women's soccer at the university, which immediately connects me to my daughter.

We indeed walk together to Pedrondela and chat a lot, which sharpens my English once again.

What I wasn't aware of before is how hilly the path is. After Vigo, the way ascends meter by meter. But the landscape is truly delightful, resembling a high-altitude hiking trail with incredibly beautiful views of the Vigo bay. The paths are now mostly forest trails that run through lovely green forests.

The number of pilgrims and cyclists is consistently increasing, but it’s still pleasant and not overcrowded.

However, there are absolutely no places to stop until Cedeira, so we use the café there. The young ladies were hesitant at first, but I was delighted to invite two students for a small bite to eat. After all, they significantly sweetened my path and provided me with delightful company during this time.

Upon arriving in Redondela, I look for the mentioned hostel. After all, I had intended to stay in one at least once.

16 euros a night, with a mattress made of rubber, what more could one want...

However, the bedding initially overwhelms me, so I have to ask the lady below me in the bunk bed. It turns out she is Italian and does not speak English. However, she is very happy that I can speak a little.

The mixed dorms also surprised me, but we are all adults here! However, one does make sure not to run around topless ;-)

Now I have some Me Time again, but of course there’s no sea up here. Let’s see how I spend the day.