Why the Portuguese Camino? What can I expect?

Why am I hiking the Portuguese Camino?

Well, there are several reasons.:
1) A primary one is it’s been on Kate’s bucket list for a long time. We’ve been taking turns checking things off our bucket lists; sometimes hers, sometimes mine & frequently an adventure is on both of our lists.
2) Since I was young, I’ve always loved traveling, meeting people from other countries, learning about their culture & history.
3) I’m an avid hiker & since receiving my new hip 18 months ago, it’s healed remarkably well, so it seems this is a perfect challenge for me.
4) It’s exciting attempting something unusual & accomplishing a goal many people would never attempt or even consider.
5) I’m doing this for my own reasons.  I realize other pilgrims are doing their Camino treks for their own reasons which can include religious or spiritual reasons.

Our trekking route from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain:

Portugese Camino Coastal Route

What can I expect?

1) Less pilgrims/trekkers than on other routes.  According to the Pilgrims Office in Santiago, 60% of pilgrims walk the Camino Frances (the French Way) which is the walk fead you n the film, The Way staring Martin Sheen. Only 22% walk the Portuguese Camino.  Of those that walk in Portugal, 2 out of 3 choose the Central Route.  Consequently we’ve chosen the far less traveled Coastal Route.
2) Weather: similar to Northern California in September. Temperatures: average highs in mid-70s, lows in upper 50s. Rainfall: averages 5 days/month; more rainfall after Day 5 when we cross country not Spain.  Likely to be windy & cool as we travel along the Portuguese coast.
3) Distances:  265 km (165 miles) total in 13 days; range 13-24 km (8-15 miles ), average 20 km (12.4 miles).  One rest day after Day 8.
4) Elevation: Sea level to 300 feet;  flatter during first 5 days in Portugal, then more elevation when we get into Spain.
5) Hiking Surface: Boardwalk (over sandy areas), gravel, cobblestones, pavement (in towns & cities).

My scallop shell-symbol of the Camino

The scallop shell is the symbol of St. James, one of the twelve apostles. According to legend, after he was killed by Herod, his body was transported by ship to Padron, Spain & then on to Santiago where he was interned in the cathedral.  Consequently all the different Camino paths converge on Santiago de Compostela.

My scallop shell, a symbol of the Camino

Beatitudes of the Pilgrim

The Beatitudes of the Pilgrim is a prayer that was recited at our Shell Ceremony.  It says
“Blessed are you pilgrim,
** if you find that the Camino opens your eyes to the unseen;
** if what concerns you most is not arriving, but arriving with others;
** when you contemplate the sights of the Camino & find them full of names & new dawns;
** if your backpack empties of things, as your heart doesn’t know how to fit so many emotions;
** if you discover that a step backwards to help another is more valuable than a hundred forward without awareness of those at your side;
** when you have no words to give thanks for all the wonders in every nook of the Camino;
** if you search for the truth & make of your Camino a life, and of your life a Camino, after Him who is the Way, the Truth & the Life;
** if on the Camino you meet yourself & make yourself a gift of time without hurry, so that you may not neglect the image of your heart;
** if you find that the Camino is rich with silence & the silence is rich with prayer & the prayers are encounters with the Father that awaits you;
** because you have discovered that the true Camino begins at its end.

“Receive this concha (scallop shell), the badge of the pilgrim, that all may recognize you as a pilgrim to Santiago de Compostela.”

My Camino Journey

I’m getting excited. In 2 weeks I fly to Portugal to start a 14-day trek on the Portuguese Camino’s coastal route. My partner, Kate, says a hike like this has been on her “bucket list” for a long time. Well now we’re about to do it.  We’ve been training all spring & summer, taking frequent hikes in the Cascades of Oregon & Washington & the Columbia River Gorge. About 18 months ago, I received a new hip & it feels great, so I think I’m ready to go. I’d be lying though if I said I didn’t have any misgivings.  Our trek will require hiking daily, up to 15 miles each day. Although Kate’s done that before, I never have. So I'm feeling a little nervous. But also confident that if I just can't hike a particular section for any reason, I can just summon a taxi to get me to our next night's lodging.

A couple months ago we learned of a group called the American Pilgrims on the Camino, Portlandia chapter.  It consists of people who have hiked one or more of the many Camino routes or are planning to hike one of in the near future.  We learned Camino pilgrimage routes have existed for hundreds of years & there are 42 different routes that cross Europe, all ending in Compostela de Santiago in northwestern Spain.

Receiving my scallop shell from the American Pilgrims on the Camino, Portlandia chapter

Shell recipients, some of whom we may meet on our trek to Santiago

In July we were honored to participate in a “Shell Ceremony” when each person who will  hike the Camin received a scallop shell, the symbol of St. James, the apostle whose remains are interned at the cathedral in Santiago. We also received a blessing for oir journey called the “Beatitudes of the Pilgrim” & a hearty "Buen Camino" cheer from all those assembled.