I last posted on May 1 about my journey to Cruz de Ferro.

Since that time, I’ve continued to struggle with respiratory issues, fatigue, and a heel blister. Physically, this stretch of hiking has been harder due to these factors. I’ve slowed down, needed a few taxi rides, and have been taking fewer pictures.

The past two days have been rest days in the charming Galician village of Triacastela. I have a private room and a break from hiking and the proclivities of life, smells, and snores in albergues.

The larger picture is that I am still on track to accomplish the physical goal of completing the Camino “on time,” and should easily fulfill the technical requirements necessary to receive an official “compostela” (a formal certification of completion by the SAMI Catedral de Santiago). Suitable for framing.

I have experienced and learned much on this journey. The final six days left are likely to be similarly rich. And then, I get to hug the Amazing Susan in Santiago!

Today, I took a taxi to Sarria, the famous city starting point for “mini Camino” pilgrimages (i.e., just enough to get a Compostela), to see a doctor about my cough. Thanks to Google Translate and the goodwill of Spanish medical staff, I got the care I needed and the clearance to keep walking to Santiago. Tomorrow I hike to Sarria.

The Numbers, Please

As of today, I’ve hiked 377 miles, been driven 40 miles by taxi (which is permitted if you meet other pilgramage requirements), and have just 88 miles to go. We’ve got this.

May 2-5 in Pictures

I then hiked almost eight miles to the small roadside hamlet of Fonfria, and took a taxi for the last miles into Triacastela. This “stage” in the Camino is long and notoriously difficult. With my breathing and foot difficulty, the decision was simple: my health is more important than racking up all the available miles.

Thanks for reading! I have nothing profound to share but simply to acknowledge my continued gratitude to be here doing this and sharing it with you.