Saturday, April 5, 2025, 3.6 miles, Sunday, April 6:  10 miles

Today, Saturday, April 5th, was a getaway day, and I ended up at the train station about an hour earlier than I needed to be because I had hoped to stop at the post office and mail some of my items on to Santiago de Compostela that are a little heavy in my backpack for trekking.  That was a bust, and not only that, I missed my train because I didn’t understand how my trip was reflected on the reader board until the last minute.  Literally, it wasn’t until I saw my train leaving that I realized my mistake even though I’d been there so long. Another lesson learned the hard way.  So I took an expensive taxi since the next train wouldn’t get me to my flight in time.

God has a sense of humor and sends me treasures-my cab driver was playing flamenco music and I saw him fiddling away with his fingers on the steering wheel.  So I asked him if he played the guitar and he said that he did – that’s all we could communicate together but it felt good!  He was happy when I recognized it was flamenco and asked him to turn it up!  And the ride accompanied by beautiful scenery was awesome! 

I had some online check-in issues so I was really happy to get my boarding pass and I ended up being first on the plane with room to put my backpack in the overhead bin – success again!What a lovely flight out of tropical Cádiz and the weather in Barcelona looked pretty decent too once we landed!  I love Barcelona, but it was not to be that I would get out there this time. I spent a chunk of time waiting for my connecting flight to Porto.  Yet I am so relieved and happy – I had success once again accessing overhead space for my backpack!!!!  This was the last flight before my pilgrimage, so the next time I fly, I may even check that bag and not care if it gets lost! Up until now I have not wanted to check it because luggage does get lost and I would be up a creek without a paddle if I didn’t have that backpack with my daily necessities for another Camino adventure!! Well, adios to that long day of travel – hours and logistics!  I have arrived in Portugal!!

And, my time in Porto is a blur!! I had to change hotels because of an error on their part, but I got in a morning walk, Sunday. April 6th, and also did some recognizance as to how I’ll set out tomorrow for my day one of the Portuguese Camino Central.  

I have lots of pictures, mostly buildings, but the bridge over the river Douro was quite amazing and there were a lot of tourists out everywhere!

My trek starts from the cathedral which is steps from my hotel, and I’m very excited!  I am not labeling any of these historical sites, but perhaps if you’re interested you might do the research!! I might follow back at a later date with more information!!