Day 8 - from where we were to Pontevedra

After a very short night (this time it wasn't the snorers' fault, I was probably too tired to sleep), we didn't start until very late today, around 09:00... Some joker said in the morning that it would be a flat stage today - we laughed a lot about that, going uphill and downhill 😅🙈

Otherwise, this stage had everything - beautiful paths through the forest and small villages, and then really awful sections along the highway or through suburbs. However, Chloe and Francesco took the opportunity to open the "outdoor pool season" - they went swimming in a small river. But for the rest of us, it was a bit too cold, especially since the weather here is still not summery. But I'm not complaining, because the weather with 18 degrees and cloudy is absolutely perfect for walking!😊

The last kilometers always drag on a bit, so thanks to Andres, we take a break in a private garden where we get a beer, wine, and even some tapas. It's allowed until 2:00 pm and we're very happy about it 😋 After that, the guys and I pick up the pace a bit - our feet hurt and I want to arrive quickly 😉 The clack-clack-clack of the sticks on the asphalt is so fast that even a few people in a bar notice us - the "camino express" is running 😅😜 We arrive in Pontevedra after 20 km and I am then honored with the title "Iron Lady" 🏃🏻‍♀️💁🏻‍♀️😜 and we check into a hostel just outside the center. Today we will order pizza and only get some wine from the nearby supermarket, because nobody wants to cook or eat out.

We will also plan the last 68 km today - Gini & Jim from LA need to arrive in Santiago on Saturday, so we will all do the rest in 3 days - the little "Camino family" stays together 😊😍

Maybe a few fundamental things that I have learned so far on the Camino:

You can recognize a pilgrim not only by the backpack, etc., but also by the sound of "ahhh" or something similar whenever they sit down, stand up, or shower 🙈😂

I have never paid so much attention to my feet before, and I think I have never shown them to so many people or have had to/show them so much 👀😂 But here, they are simply topic number one and otherwise I would not burden you with the pictures of them 😮🤭😉

No matter where you come from or what background you have, everyone is equal here...

"Everyone has two backpacks - a visible one and an invisible one." This is true, because everyone here has their own story and suddenly shares it with complete strangers without hesitation, because they do the same. So it can happen that suddenly 10 adults sit there with tears in their eyes, and yet 1 minute later they laugh together again. The Camino is truly something special...

I cannot judge whether our group is something special, but in fact, it is characterized by great support, empathy, and respect. Everyone helps each other, sharing what they have (even what they may never have imagined or shared before), and it is truly something special for me to have this experience. In this constellation, we would certainly never have come together otherwise!

Those were a few "heavy" words at the end, but the Camino is also made up of moments like this, as I have learned by now...

In that sense, good night to all of you...😴😘😘