My right knee is killing me: Every step hurts, and my bandage isn't helping any longer. But tonight we are staying in comfy Casa Austria in Los Arcos ... enjoying the luxury of a dorm room for just the five of us, and indulge in tasty rye bread for breakfast! You see me smiling? 🙂

32 km in the sweltering heat!! And hardly any tree in sight today. Time to equip everyone in our group with a proper hat in Estella, where we stay tonight. My walking gear (hat included) proved to be excellent so far, and doing the laundry in the evening and taping our blisters in the morning has become routine by now.

The Spanish heat is punishing! It's only May 31, but maybe we should follow other pilgrims' lead and get up around 4:30 a.m. to avoid walking during the hottest hours. Lucky for us, the incredibly friendly owners of a hostel in Muruzábal know how to treat our pain (blisters!) and lift our spirit again :). Our group is growing: Iva joined us in Pamplona, and in the evening we meet Jörg (both from Germany).

Walking the Camino feels fantastic. The landscape is gorgeous and I meet so many crazy characters and wonderful people from all over the globe... I love it! Tonight, our small group will reach Pamplona, the first bigger city on this trip. Ready to see some running bulls? 😉

You meet the most amazing people on the Camino that make you forget sore muscles and blisters. Fun day with Rüdiger, Torsten, Kathi and Ines (all from Germany) on my way to Zubiri … which turned out to be the beginning of a wonderful friendship 🙂

The beginning of 900 long kilometers, unforgettable experiences, and wonderful friendships. Enthusiastic start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France; across the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles (27 km).