Cacabelos to O Cobreiro

Today we walked 38km as a group to one of the highest points on the Camino to enter the province of Galicia. This region is famous for multiple things including pulpo (octopus), amazing mountainous landscapes, and Santiago de Compostela (of course).

The walk was quite challenging. Moving time was 6:42:00 (not including multiple breaks totaling about 90 minutes) and around 4000 feet of elevation gain. My feet were quite achy from the previous day, so I walked the last ~15k in my sandals, which my knees are now protesting. Tomorrow’s agenda is 30k (a lot of which is descending from our mountain village), then I will do about 10k the following day as a rest day to wait for my dad’s arrival in Sarria. I think my body will be ready for that before the final push to Santiago.

One thing I am appreciating so much about this Camino is that I’ve been given so much time to realize the essentiality of things. Of course I’m carrying and living with very little. That gives me mental space to enjoy company and connect with people, and look at nature and the country I am in. It also makes me reflect on my “normal” life and how I can better appreciate so many things we take for granted. I also feel a stronger connection between mind and body. My body gives a signal that I should slow down, eat or drink, and when I do so, I am able to continue walking. There is usually an immediate positive response to taking a break or drinking some electrolytes.

Today’s scenes were beautiful on a similar level to day 1 in the Pyrenees. After Leon, the mountains have come to the forefront. It’s a welcome change after the Meseta. I have been feeling so thankful for this journey and all it has done for me. It’s been another long day and I need to sleep and recover for the next 8 hours so I will let the pictures of the day do the talking.