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Guess Where I'm Writing From, 中辺路町栗栖川1222-1, Tanabe-shi (2026)

20/10/2026

WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED TO WALK THE CAMINO? 🥾❤️

Comfortable shoes, a little determination, and the ability to question ALL your life choices around kilometer 25! 😂👣

When you dream about walking the Camino de Santiago, you imagine beautiful scenery, charming Spanish villages, cozy cafés, and meaningful moments of reflection. ❤️🇪🇸

And yes, you get ALL of that!

But you also get tired legs, a backpack that somehow gets heavier every day, and LOTS of time to wonder why walking hundreds of kilometers seemed like such a brilliant idea! 😂🎒

And yet… you keep going.

One step at a time.
One village at a time.
One café con leche at a time! ☕❤️

But jokes aside, there’s one little item you definitely shouldn’t forget:

📘 YOUR CREDENCIAL DEL PEREGRINO — YOUR PILGRIM’S PASSPORT! 💛

This little booklet might not look like much, but it plays an important role in your Camino adventure. Here’s why! 👇

✨ 1. COLLECT THOSE SELLOS! 📘

Every stamp tells a little story about where your feet have taken you.

You can often collect sellos at:

⛪ Churches and pilgrim offices
☕ Cafés and restaurants
🏡 Pilgrim albergues
🏨 Hostels, hotels, and guesthouses

CAMINO TIP: Ask for a stamp when you check in or before you leave your accommodation. And don’t forget to collect them along the way!

Your future, tired self will thank you.

✨ 2. DREAMING OF YOUR COMPOSTELA? 🥹❤️

If receiving the official Compostela certificate in Santiago de Compostela is on your Camino bucket list, here’s what you need to know:

🚶 On foot: At least 100 km
🚴 By bicycle: At least 200 km
🐎 On horseback: At least 100 km

But there’s a little more to it than simply counting kilometers!

You must follow the applicable route and documentation requirements, and the Compostela is associated with a pilgrimage undertaken for religious or spiritual reasons.

Walking the final 100 km? The Pilgrim’s Office requires at least two stamps per day for that qualifying stretch.

So don’t forget those sellos! You don’t want to arrive in Santiago celebrating your achievement only to discover that your credencial is looking a little TOO empty! 😅

✨ 3. YOUR CREDENCIAL MAY BE NEEDED AT PILGRIM ALBERGUES! 🏡

Many traditional pilgrim hostels ask to see your credencial before accepting guests, particularly public pilgrim albergues.

Keep it somewhere easy to reach.

After walking 25 km, the last thing you need is to unpack your ENTIRE backpack at reception just to find one little booklet!

Of course, accommodation policies vary, so check before you arrive.

✨ 4. IT BECOMES ONE OF YOUR MOST PRECIOUS CAMINO SOUVENIRS! 🥹❤️

And THIS is my favorite part.

Years later, you can open your credencial and suddenly remember:

❤️ The beautiful village where you stopped for coffee
☕ The café where you met fellow pilgrims
🤝 The kindness of a complete stranger
🌄 The scenery that took your breath away
👣 The difficult day when you wondered if your legs would EVER forgive you!

And let’s be honest… some days, your greatest spiritual achievement is simply reaching your destination, taking your boots off, and wondering how on earth you’re going to put them back on tomorrow! 😂🥾

Because the Camino isn’t just about the kilometers you walk.

It’s about the people you meet, the unexpected friendships, the little victories, and the moments that stay with you long after your feet have recovered.

And sometimes, it’s about discovering just how much you’re capable of when you take things one step at a time.

📍 WHERE CAN YOU GET YOUR PILGRIM’S PASSPORT?

You can obtain a credencial from the Pilgrim’s Reception Office in Santiago or from an organization specifically authorized to issue it on behalf of the Cathedral. Some pilgrim associations, churches, and albergues can also help.

Availability varies, so it’s a good idea to arrange yours before departure whenever possible.

💛 AND HERE’S THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THE CAMINO…

When you finally arrive in Santiago, you remember the long walks, the unexpected friendships, the laughter, the little victories, and all those moments when you wondered whether your feet would cooperate the next morning. 🥹❤️

You might even remember the moments when you seriously considered taking a taxi! 😂

And then, somehow, your feet start recovering… and your brain begins planning ANOTHER CAMINO!

Funny how that works, isn’t it? 🤣🥾

✨ YOUR CREDENCIAL IS MORE THAN A BOOK OF STAMPS.

It’s a record of your pilgrimage — one step, one sello, one encounter, and one unforgettable memory at a time.

And perhaps, years from now, when you look through those stamps, you’ll realize that the journey changed you in ways you didn’t even notice while you were walking.

🇪🇸 BUEN CAMINO, EVERYONE! 🥾❤️

16/10/2026

DIY-ing Our Camino 🇪🇸🥾
Part 2: Where Do You Actually Sleep Along the Camino? 😂

In my previous post, I shared how I DIY-ed our Camino and booked our accommodations.

Now, let’s talk about where you can sleep—because after walking 20+ kilometres, a decent bed and a hot shower can feel like pure luxury! 🤣

From donativo to hotels and apartments, there’s something for every budget and comfort level. But remember, not every bed is created equal!

🛏️ 1. Donativo — Pay What You Can 🙏

There’s no fixed fee. You contribute according to your means.

Usually simple accommodations run by volunteers or religious communities, these places often offer a wonderful sense of generosity and pilgrim community.

Best for: Budget-conscious pilgrims who don’t mind keeping things simple.

🎒 2. Municipal Albergues — Cheap, Basic, and Very Camino!

These public pilgrim hostels usually have bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Some offer kitchens and laundry facilities, too.

Many operate on a first-come, first-served basis, although booking policies vary by location. Some don’t accept luggage deliveries.

Best for: Pilgrims who enjoy the communal experience and don’t mind sharing spaces.

🏡 3. Private Albergues

Similar to municipal albergues, but facilities can include smaller dorms, lockers, kitchens, laundry facilities, and sometimes private rooms.

Many accept advance bookings, which is helpful when you don’t want to spend the day searching for a bed. Your feet have already done enough work! 😂

Best for: Those wanting budget accommodation with more flexibility.

🚪 4. Pensions & Hostals

In Spain, a hostal is generally a modest guesthouse, not necessarily a dormitory-style hostel. Pensions are also budget-friendly options, often offering private rooms.

Bathrooms may be private or shared, depending on the property.

Best for: Those wanting privacy without paying hotel prices—or listening to someone snore like a chainsaw! 🤣

🌿 5. Casa Rural

A country house or rural guesthouse, often with traditional architecture, cosy rooms, and a peaceful setting.

Just check the location before booking. That charming countryside retreat might add extra kilometres to your already tired legs! 😂

Best for: Those wanting a quieter, more local experience.

🛁 6. Hotels

A proper bed, private bathroom, fresh towels, and maybe air-conditioning!

Hotels are especially lovely for rest days or when your body needs extra TLC. You don’t have to prove anything by suffering every night.

Best for: Those who value comfort, privacy, and a good night’s sleep.

🏠 7. Apartments

Great for couples, families, and groups. You may get a kitchen, living room, separate bedrooms, and a washing machine—which can feel like winning the lottery after days of walking! 😂

Sharing the cost can also make an apartment surprisingly reasonable.

Best for: Groups or anyone staying more than one night.

⸻

🎒 BONUS TIP: Using Luggage Transfers? Read This Before You Book!

On our first two Caminos, we used luggage transfers.

On our third, I carried my pack for about half the journey before shoulder pain forced me to switch to transfers.

On our fourth, we carried our packs again.

So, we’ve tried both—and sometimes you simply have to adapt! 😅

Luggage transfers are convenient, especially on long stages, but not every accommodation accepts luggage deliveries.

Before booking, remember:

✅ Ask whether the accommodation accepts luggage deliveries.

✅ Check delivery times and arrangements with your transfer company.

✅ Be careful with apartments or places without reception. Someone needs to be available to receive your bag!

✅ Check municipal albergue policies, as some don’t accept luggage deliveries.

✅ Keep essentials with you: passport, valuables, medication, water, snacks, rain jacket, and anything else you need during the day.

Also, check your luggage-transfer provider’s weight limits and service coverage before making your plans.

My shoulder pain taught me an important lesson: sometimes the best plan is to change the plan!

There’s no right or wrong way to walk the Camino. Carry your own pack if you enjoy it, or use luggage transfers if they make the journey more manageable.

The goal is to enjoy the experience—not compete over who can carry the heaviest backpack! 🤣❤️

⸻

🤔 So, Which Accommodation Should You Choose?

It depends on your budget, comfort level, and the kind of Camino experience you want.

A few planning tips:

✔️ Mix and match. Save money on some stages and treat yourself on others.

✔️ Book ahead when needed. Private rooms and popular accommodations can fill quickly.

✔️ Check booking policies. Many municipal albergues don’t take reservations, but policies vary.

✔️ Check the location. A cheap room isn’t such a bargain if it adds extra kilometres!

✔️ Read the reviews. Photos don’t always tell the whole story. 😂

✔️ Plan your luggage transfers. Confirm that each overnight stop can receive your bag.

DIY-ing our Caminos meant doing our homework, but understanding the different accommodation options made planning much easier.

The best part? You can tailor the Camino to suit yourself.

You don’t have to stay in expensive hotels every night, and you don’t have to sleep in a dormitory to prove you’re a real pilgrim either. 😅

At the end of the day, we’re there to walk, enjoy the experience, and hopefully remain on speaking terms with our feet! ❤️🥾

Buen Camino! 🇪🇸

Now, tell me!

🏕️ Do you prefer albergues, hotels, apartments, or a mix of everything?

🎒 And do you carry your own pack or use luggage transfers?

Share your experiences and tips below to help others planning their own DIY Camino! ❤️

15/10/2026

🥾🇵🇹🇪🇸 DIY-ing Our Caminos: So, How Did We Do It?

Following my previous post about DIY-ing our Caminos, the next question is… HOW exactly did we plan everything ourselves? 🤔

Honestly? Nothing too complicated! Just lots of Googling, reading reviews, comparing prices and hoping we hadn’t missed anything important along the way.

So, here’s how we did it!

1️⃣ First things first: Choose our Camino.

For our very first Camino, we decided to walk the last 100 km of the Camino Portugués.

Why this route?

Well, first, there seemed to be plenty of places to eat and stay along the way. Very important, right? 😂 After hours of walking, a good meal, a shower and a comfortable bed sound pretty wonderful!

Second, as newbie Camino walkers, we wanted something that seemed manageable. From the reviews I read, the route was supposed to be relatively flat.

RELATIVELY being the VERY important word here! 🤣🤣

But what really caught our attention was the Variante Espiritual. 🌿

Walking through lush forests, along beautiful paths with streams and soaking up all that gorgeous scenery sounded magical.

And then there was the boat ride along the Traslatio, following the traditional story of the journey of St. James’s remains to Galicia. 🚤🌊

Nature, history AND a boat ride?

What’s not to love? SOLD! 😂

Of course, we were also hoping for a relatively gentle introduction to Camino walking.

Let’s just say we might have been a little too optimistic about that “relatively flat” bit!

But that’s a story for another day! 😉

2️⃣ Next, plan where to stay each night.

Once we’d decided on our route, I started exploring accommodation options using Camino apps and Google Maps. 📱🗺️

I also worked out our daily walking distances because, while we wanted to challenge ourselves, we certainly didn’t want to turn our Camino into a walking marathon!

We prefer booking our accommodation in advance, mainly because we like knowing there’s a bed waiting for us at the end of each day.

Imagine arriving tired and hungry after hours of walking, only to start looking for somewhere to sleep.

NO, THANK YOU! 😂

We prefer private rooms, too, so having everything sorted beforehand gives us peace of mind.

Of course, some pilgrims prefer to go with the flow and find accommodation along the way. Nothing wrong with that! Everyone has their own way of doing the Camino. ❤️

As for us, a little planning goes a long way.

And why do we prefer private rooms? Well, that’s another story for another day! 😉

3️⃣ My three-step approach to booking accommodation.

Yes, even booking a room comes with a process! 😂

☝️ Step 1: Compare prices.

I usually check Booking.com and Agoda to see which offers the better deal.

Why pay more if we can get it cheaper, right? Every little saving counts! 💰

Especially when there’s café con leche and pastries to think about. ☕🥐

And if we save enough, maybe we can treat ourselves to a nice plate of pulpo!

Now we’re talking! Priorities, people! 😂🐙

✌️ Step 2: Contact the accommodation directly.

If I can’t find a suitable place on either platform, I’ll usually contact the accommodation directly, often through WhatsApp, to ask about availability and prices.

Sometimes, a simple message is all it takes!

🤟 Step 3: Check the direct booking price anyway.

Even if I find the accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda, I still check whether booking directly is cheaper.

Sometimes it is. Sometimes the platform offers a better deal.

So, I compare the total price, including taxes, fees and cancellation terms, before deciding.

A little homework could mean more money for our café con leche breaks and delicious pilgrim meals! 😋

See? All those little savings add up!

4️⃣ A little warning about booking online! ⚠️

Okay, jokes aside, this one’s important.

I once received a message saying my booking would be cancelled unless I clicked on a link and entered my credit card details.

And you know what?

IT SOUNDED LEGIT! 😱

I almost fell for it!

Thankfully, something didn’t feel right, so I contacted the booking platform’s support team and the accommodation directly to check whether the message was genuine.

I was advised to disregard the suspicious request.

WHEW! That was a close call! 😮‍💨

So, please be careful when booking accommodation online!

⚠️ Don’t click on suspicious links or enter your payment details just because a message threatens to cancel your booking.

⚠️ Always check your reservation through the platform’s official app or website.

⚠️ If something feels off, contact customer support or the accommodation using independently verified contact details.

⚠️ And if you receive an unexpected payment request, check that it matches your original booking terms before doing anything.

Remember, a message can look perfectly genuine and still be a scam!

Better to spend a few extra minutes checking than to send your credit card on an unexpected adventure of its own! 😂💳

And that’s pretty much how we planned our DIY Camino! 🥾

Lots of research, a bit of price hunting, advance bookings and a little flexibility along the way.

DIY-ing does take time and effort, but honestly, I enjoy the planning part!

Yes, I’m THAT person! 🙋🏻‍♀️😂

I like knowing where we’re going, where we’ll stay and roughly how much we’ll spend. It means we can plan around our own pace, preferences and budget.

And of course, we must never forget the REALLY important things in life…

Café con leche. Pastries. Pulpo. ☕🥐🐙❤️

Would I do it this way again?

ABSOLUTELY!

We’ve since planned our next three Caminos the same way, and guess what?

WE’RE NOW PLANNING CAMINO NO. 5! 🥾🎉

Looks like DIY-ing our Caminos works for us!

Although, choosing our first Camino because the reviews said it was relatively flat…

Hmmmm. Let’s just say we might be reading those reviews a little more carefully next time! 🤣🤣

But that’s a story for another day!

Now, tell me… 👇

Are you a planner like me, who likes to have accommodation booked in advance, or do you prefer to go with the flow and see where the Camino takes you?

I’d love to hear how you do it! ❤️

To be continued…

Buen Camino! 🥾🇵🇹🇪🇸❤️

13/10/2026

DID WE USE A TOUR COMPANY FOR OUR CAMINOS, OR DID WE DIY IT? 🤔

A few people have asked me how we planned our Caminos, so here’s the answer…

WE DID IT ALL OURSELVES! 🙌🏼

No tour company, no organised group. I did all the research, booked our accommodation and planned our daily stages.

Having grown up in a military family with a dad who was a pilot, and after almost 25 years in the airline industry myself, travelling and planning trips have always been part of my life.

And honestly, I LOVE the planning almost as much as the travelling! 😂 My husband might disagree when he sees me glued to my iPad, disappearing down yet another research rabbit hole!

🥾 SO, WHERE DID I START?

Google, YouTube, Facebook groups and four very useful apps:

📱 Camino Ninja
📱 Gronze
📱 Wise Pilgrim
📱 Buen Camino

There’s so much information online that you could earn a degree in Camino planning before taking your first step! 🤣

But here’s something you soon discover…

20 kilometres looks VERY different on a map than it does when you’re actually walking it!

Sitting at home, you think, “Oh, that’s not too bad!”

A few hours later, your feet are hurting, your legs are complaining, and you’re questioning all your life choices! 😂🥾

🗺️ AND THEN THERE’S GETTING LOST! 🤭

On our first day walking out of Vigo, we met a fellow pilgrim and had a lovely chat. He’d actually visited the Philippines to help build houses for charity. What a lovely connection to discover so far from home! 🇵🇭❤️

We decided to follow him, thinking he knew where he was going.

ONE SMALL PROBLEM… HE WALKED TOO FAST! 🤣

We lost sight of him and were left trying to figure out which way to go.

Thankfully, a local gentleman walking his dog came to our rescue and pointed us in the right direction.

All that research, all those apps… and what did we really need?

A friendly local man and his dog! 🐕😂

These were our first two Camino angels, and they reminded us of something special.

❤️ THE CAMINO IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN WALKING.

It’s about the people you meet, the unexpected connections you make and the kindness of strangers.

You can plan your route and book your accommodation, but you can’t plan every little moment.

And sometimes, your Camino angel comes with four legs and a wagging tail! 🐕💛

🥾 WOULD I RECOMMEND PLANNING YOUR OWN CAMINO?

Absolutely! It worked for us, and I loved having the freedom to choose our routes, accommodation and daily distances.

Would a tour company make things easier? Quite possibly! There’s no right or wrong way to do the Camino. Find what works for YOU.

I’m certainly no expert, but I’m happy to share what I learnt along the way.

Because despite all my planning, some of our best memories were the ones I never could have planned! ❤️

🎒 NOW, ONTO OUR NEXT CAMINO!

Buen Camino, everyone! 💛

Now tell me…

🥾 Did you DIY your Camino or use a tour company?

💭 Or are you still dreaming about walking your first one?

I’d love to hear your stories and tips in the comments! And if you’re just starting to plan, feel free to ask. We all start somewhere! ❤️

12/10/2026

Camino Inglés: A Week Walking with My Sister Noelle 🥾☕❤️

My third Camino was extra special because, this time, I got to share the journey again with my sister, Noelle! ❤️

She had just completed her Celtic Camino in Ireland, walking it solo. But to qualify for her Compostela, she still needed to walk the final stretch to Santiago de Compostela. So, we decided to tackle the Camino Inglés together!

There was just one little problem. 😂

The Camino Inglés has two starting points: A Coruña, about 75 km from Santiago, and Ferrol, about 113 km away.

Noelle could have started in A Coruña and qualified for her Compostela. But I needed to walk at least 100 km to earn mine.

So, Ferrol it was!

Nothing like having your sister along to make sure you walk an extra 38 km. That’s sisterly love for you!

We met in Santiago, with Noelle flying in from across the Atlantic and me travelling all the way from Asia. We spent a couple of nights resting and recovering from our long journeys before catching the bus to Ferrol.

After all, we needed to get over our jet lag before embarking on several days of walking. Voluntarily, I might add! 😂

📜 A little bit of history

The Camino Inglés dates back to the Middle Ages, when pilgrims from England, Ireland and other parts of northern Europe sailed to Galicia before continuing on foot to Santiago. Ferrol and A Coruña were important arrival points.

And despite its name, the English Way wasn’t just for the English!

It’s quite something to think that we were walking a route pilgrims had travelled for centuries. I wonder if they looked forward to their rest stops as much as we did!

💧 Water, coffee and the important things in life

We noticed drinking water fountains roughly every 6 km or so along the way. Very handy when you’re walking for hours with a backpack! Of course, it’s always wise to carry enough water between fountains, just in case one isn’t working.

But let’s talk about something even more motivating…

☕ Café con leche!

If you’ve followed my Camino adventures, you’ll know that a good cup of coffee is an important part of my pilgrimage.

Some people walk for spiritual reasons, some for adventure, and others to challenge themselves physically. We enjoyed all of that too, of course.

But knowing there might be a café waiting somewhere ahead certainly helped keep us going! Priorities, you know. 😄

And then there’s another lovely Spanish custom. In some cafés and bars, ordering a drink comes with a little plate of tapas at no extra charge.

Now, isn’t that a wonderful idea?

Imagine ordering a coffee and getting something to nibble on as well! Of course, not every place offers free tapas, but whenever we got one, it felt like we’d won a small lottery. 😂

After hours of walking, happiness is a cup of coffee, a little snack and somewhere to sit down.

What more could a pilgrim ask for?

Well… how about a proper lunch and somewhere to put those tired legs up?

❤️ A heartwarming stop at the legendary Café Avelina

One of our loveliest memories was stopping for lunch at the legendary Café Avelina, run by two wonderful sisters.

Oh, these ladies were an absolute delight! So warm, welcoming and accommodating, they greeted every pilgrim as though we were long-lost family coming home for a meal.

And when I say they fed us, I mean they FED us — as if there were no tomorrow! 🤣

Not that two hungry pilgrims were going to complain!

After all those kilometres, we were more than ready to eat. But what touched us most wasn’t just their generosity with the food. They even brought us stools so we could raise our tired legs and give them a much-needed rest.

Now, THAT is hospitality!

When you’ve been walking for hours with a backpack, your legs are aching and your feet are wondering why on earth you signed up for this adventure, a stool to put your feet up feels like five-star luxury! 😂❤️

The sisters made us feel so welcome and so well looked after. We arrived as weary pilgrims and left with full stomachs, rested legs and very happy hearts.

Thank you, ladies, for your kindness and generosity. You were definitely one of the highlights of our Camino Inglés!

It’s encounters like this that make the Camino so special. You might set out for the scenery, the adventure or the spiritual journey, but it’s often the people you meet along the way who leave the biggest impression.

Sometimes, a warm smile, a generous meal and a simple gesture of kindness are worth more than any guidebook could ever tell you.

🥾 Six stages, one rest day and absolutely no need to rush!

Our plan was to walk six stages, with a rest day in the middle. Many people complete the Camino Inglés in four or five walking days, but we had a whole week, so we decided to spread it out a little.

Why rush? We wanted to enjoy the villages, take in the scenery, meet people along the way and, naturally, stop for coffee whenever the opportunity presented itself.

You didn’t think we’d walk past a café without considering a stop, did you? Priorities, people. PRIORITIES! ☕😂

The Camino is about so much more than reaching Santiago. It’s the little villages, the unexpected discoveries, the conversations, the kindness of strangers and the memories you make along the way.

And this time, I got to share all of it again with my sister, which made the journey even more special. ❤️

Two sisters. 113 km. Lots of café con leche. The occasional free tapa. Generous lunches. Tired legs. And wonderful people like the sisters at Café Avelina who made us feel like family.

Not a bad way to spend a week, if you ask me!

And if anyone asks whether we walked for spiritual enlightenment or for the coffee, we’ll just say it was a little of both.

Okay, maybe the coffee helped a little more on some days! 😉☕🤣

October 2025

10/10/2026

The Evolution of My Camino Pack 🎒🥾

Looking back at our four Caminos, one thing that has definitely evolved is the way I pack. 😂 And along the way, I’ve learned a few things about carrying less, simplifying, and figuring out what I really need.

Camino 1 & 2: The Day Pack Era

For our first two Caminos—the last 100 km of the Camino Portugués via the Variante Espiritual and the Camino de Finisterre—we carried only day packs and had our luggage transferred each day.

Life was good! We could walk without the weight of our big backpacks, thanks to the luggage transfer companies. We probably thought we had the best of both worlds. Enjoy the Camino without carrying too much. What’s not to love? 😎

Camino 3: The Camino Inglés with my sister Noelle

For our third Camino, we decided it was time to carry our own backpacks. We stored our luggage in Santiago for our post-Camino travels and set off feeling pretty confident about our packing skills.

I thought I had packed only the essentials. Apparently, my definition of essentials was still a work in progress. 😂

On our third day, I started feeling pain in my left shoulder. I tried applying my Bangkok balm, hoping it would do its magic, but the pain wouldn’t go away. Since I didn’t want to make things worse, I decided to lighten my load and have some of my things transferred for the last couple of days.

That experience was an eye-opener. I realized that even the things I thought I couldn’t do without weren’t really necessary after all. I could still pare down my pack and get by with much less.

Who knew my shoulder would end up teaching me a packing lesson? And my Bangkok balm, as much as I love it, couldn’t solve everything! 🤣

Camino 4: The 264-km Camino de Invierno with Chip

By the time we did our fourth Camino, the 264-km Camino de Invierno with Chip, I had a better idea of what to bring and, more importantly, what to leave behind.

And this time, we carried our backpacks for the ENTIRE Camino!

I was so happy that we could do it. There was a certain freedom in knowing that everything we needed was on our backs. No need to worry about luggage transfers or whether we had packed enough clothes for every possible situation.

We could wash our clothes almost every day, so why bring so many? A little laundry along the way was a small price to pay for a lighter backpack. 😂

It felt good to finally get the hang of packing light. My shoulders were happier, and I was learning that I really didn’t need as much as I thought I did.

More than just packing light

The more I think about it, the more I realize that this lesson goes beyond my backpack.

I tend to think about what I might need, just in case. I want to be prepared, and sometimes that means bringing more than necessary. I’m sure many of us are guilty of this!

But the Camino taught me that there is a difference between what I think I need and what I actually need. Sometimes, we only find that out when we have to carry everything ourselves. Literally! 😂

I’ve also learned that simplifying doesn’t mean depriving ourselves. It means knowing what is enough. When we have less to worry about, we have more time and energy to enjoy what’s in front of us.

And perhaps that’s something I can apply to life, too. We accumulate things, make plans, hold on to worries, and sometimes take on more than we need to. We think we have to be prepared for everything, when maybe we just need to trust ourselves a little more and learn to adapt along the way.

I’m still learning how to do that.

The Camino Inglés taught me that I could let go of things I thought I needed. The Camino de Invierno showed me how much lighter the journey could feel when I actually did.

Of course, I’m not saying I’ve mastered the art of packing light. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves! We still have future Caminos, and who knows what I’ll be tempted to squeeze into my backpack next time. 😂

But I hope that with every Camino, I get better at knowing what’s worth carrying and what’s better left behind.

Not just in my backpack, but in life, too.

A few practical things we’ve learned along the way:

🎒 Luggage transfer companies we’ve used:

* Top Santiago
* Pilbeo

🧳 Luggage storage and forwarding in Santiago:

* Casa Ivar — We used them to store our luggage in Santiago. They also arranged to pick up our luggage from our hotel in Madrid and ship it to Santiago, where we collected it after our Camino.

These services were helpful, especially when we had more travel planned after the Camino.

At the end of the day, there’s no one right way to do the Camino. Carry your own pack, have your luggage transferred, or do a combination of both. Do what works for you.

For me, the best part has been learning a little more with every walk.

I’m learning that I don’t need to bring everything I might want. I just need to bring what I need, stay open to what comes, and trust that I can figure things out along the way.

And if I can do all that with a lighter backpack and a happier shoulder, even better!

Four Caminos later, my pack is lighter, but I’m still learning. And I think that’s part of the beauty of the Camino. There’s always something new to discover, both on the trail and within ourselves. ❤️🥾

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