Camino Trip- Day #13

Day 7 of Walking - June 20, 2026 

Portuguese Camino 

Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 6.14 miles 

(I probably did 4 miles of this-- 2 out and 2 back as there was an unexpected detour of accompanying one of our team members to the hospital in the middle of the night, and so we were able to do part of the Camino that day after she was discharged) 

The Beatitudes of the Pilgrim

1. Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the “camino” opens your eyes to what is not seen.
2. Blessed are you pilgrim, if what concerns you most is not to arrive, as to arrive with others.
3. Blessed are you pilgrim, when you contemplate the “camino” and you discover it is full of names and dawns.
4. Blessed are you pilgrim, because you have discovered that the authentic “camino” begins when it is completed.
5. Blessed are you pilgrim, if your knapsack is emptying of things and your heart does not know where to hang up so many feelings and emotions.
6. Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that one step back to help another is more valuable than a hundred forward without seeing what is at your side.
7. Blessed are you pilgrim, when you don’t have words to give thanks for everything that surprises you at every twist and turn of the way.
8. Blessed are you pilgrim, if you search for the truth and make of the “camino” a life, and of your life a “way”, in search of the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
9. Blessed are you pilgrim, if on the way you meet yourself and gift yourself with time, without rushing, so as not to disregard the image in your heart.
10. Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the “camino” holds a lot of silence; and the silence of prayer; and the prayer of meeting with God who is waiting for you.

This is sweet Ollie, who had to go to the ER in Santiago at 1:30 a.m. after accidentally taking an extra dose of her medication. We took a taxi to Santiago together and spent the night keeping each other company in the hospital, grateful for Google Translate as we navigated the Spanish healthcare system. The next morning, after the doctors had monitored her and cleared her to leave, we walked from the hospital back to the Camino to rejoin our group.

Early that morning, I went in search of food for Ollie and wandered into the hospital gift shop, where I found this sweet pink bunny. We'd spent the wee hours of the night swapping rabbit stories, so it felt like the perfect little gift.

I'm so grateful for the unexpected gift of that night and for the chance to walk alongside Ollie throughout the week. Sometimes the most meaningful moments of a pilgrimage are the ones you never could have planned.

I ran back to the hospital later on Saturday to get stamps for both of us. This one might just be the most meaningful one I got! 

This was a note to a stranger who helped me in line when I was trying to get food for Ollie. 

Ollie's new bunny got to enjoy the sights on the Camino 

We found our group! 

Jaime, Mike, Regi, and Hassan sent me this picture while I was at the hospital to cheer us up 

walking into the square in front of the Cathedral of Santiago 

leadership group- me, Martin, and Celeste 

hug with Jaime 

mentor group 

Union group 

Vision 16 

with wonderful Celeste 

with James B & Renee 

so. very. grateful. 

text with Brian Lugioyo 

we put the edible glitter on our faces :)