Rosário already has a handful of Camino de Santiago routes completed. In this latest one, she had the experience of going alone along our favorite route. She encountered challenges and surprises along the way, but nothing stopped our walker. Read the interview here!
Why did you make the way to Santiago?
Rosário: I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a different way. So, I decided to walk the Way and arrive that day at Santiago. I really wanted to do it alone, and after recovering from Covid, I thought it was the right time; therefore, I ‘sent’ myself to my fifth path.
How many days did it take and which stages did you complete?
Rosário: It took me 6 days, as I had planned. It wasn’t to rush through it, but rather to absorb the experience and be with myself..
Valença – Redondela
Redondela – Pontevedra
Pontevedra – Armenteira
Armenteira – Vilanova de Arousa – Pontecesures
Pontecesures – Teo
Teo – Santiago
How did you prepare physically for the journey?
Rosário: I didn’t prepare physically for the path because every weekend I trek, although at that time I was stopped because of Covid. I just prepared myself psychologically and packed my backpack.
What surprised you the most on the path?
Rosário: It was a gentleman who wanted to accompany me in the last kilometer of the arrival to Plaza del Obradoiro because he saw me standing still looking at the towers of the cathedral. While we were walking, in the middle of the conversation, he told me that he had been living in Santiago for 42 years, and I replied that it was my birthday, specifically my 42nd birthday. It was very emotional for both of us.
What was your most challenging moment?
Rosário: It was in stage 3, (Pontevedra – Armenteira) catching a huge storm of wind and rain, feeling loneliness and at some moments frustration for feeling that way needlessly. It was very hard. I couldn’t eat because of the rain and arrived at the hostel with blisters on my heels, completely worn out physically, but mainly psychologically. Anyway, I knew that sooner or later I would understand all those feelings.
What can’t be missing in a pilgrim’s suitcase?
Rosário: A pair of slippers to put on at the end of each stage and band-aids for blisters!
If you could give only one tip to people who are thinking about walking the path, what would it be?
Rosário: To carry as light of a backpack as possible.
What was your reaction when you arrived in Santiago?
Rosário: Stopping in the center of the Plaza del Obradoiro, contemplating, giving thanks, and eternalizing the moment with a photograph.
Toast with tomatoes or toast with butter?
Rosário: Neither. Tostada with marmalade.
