Day 16: Güemes to Santander

19 km. The word of the day is exceptional. Everything was exceptional. (Except maybe my walking distance, and I couldn’t care less.)

Exceptional weather. It was a perfect walking day. Cool and sunny.

Exceptional people. If you haven’t seen yesterday’s update, Anna was at the hostel last night! Such a highlight to see her again. This morning I waited for her because we wanted to get a picture together, and I am so glad I did. She had arrived yesterday in a group of three and we headed out as a group of seven. This is the benefit of staying in an albergue (and probably why I thought the Camino felt ‘different’ over the past few days). The group was Anna (Germany), Robert (Netherlands), Herbert (Austria), Daniela (Czech Republic), Clara (France, but a different French Clara!), Marco (Germany), and me.

These were warm, lovely people. We were diverse in age and nationality, but shared interests, humor, walking speed, and a relaxed approach. We had second breakfast, scenery stops, an ice cream stop, and extended lunch, with lots of steady walking in between. I think we all are capable of more disciplined walking, but today was a day to pause and appreciate. Which brings me to…

Exceptional scenery. There was a lovely fog in the valley at dawn. Then the Camino took us through the green rolling hills straight back to the ocean. We walked along the sea for hours, up on cliffs as well as 2 km along the beach. I had no thoughts in my head other than our conversations, and: I am so grateful. These people are awesome. This scenery is unbelievable. It just rotated. Except for the time we sat on the cliff and I thought about nothing and just watched the seagulls. Today was truly special.

Additional descriptions won’t help, so I will let the photos attempt to convey the beauty, although I am not sure that they can. Fortunately, Daniela made this video with some clips of the day! Her pictures are great, too. She has posted them on her awesome blog, if you want to take a look. The blog is in Czech - just scroll down.

One last note: I have been diligently stretching. Between that and the anti-inflammatory, my leg is feeling much better. Wahoo!

Photos of the day (more than usual…it’s like picking my favorite child):

Misty sunrise view from the albergue

With Anna. She returns to Germany tomorrow.

Heading out

Second breakfast at a bakery in Galizano

Back to the sea! First it looked like this…

Then it looked like this.

I’m the one with the red backpack (Daniela’s photo)

Too beautiful to keep walking

Started walking again… now it looks like this! (Santander in the distance)

And this…

Ok, it’s overwhelming. Let’s stop again…

(Daniela’s photo)

The incredible-ness doesn’t end… now 2 km along the beach!

Lunch in Somo. They found an apartment to share and stayed. I was invited but walked on to Santander.

We are a nuisance in the restaurants.

Ferry from Somo to Santander.

Santander turned out to be exceptionally lovely, too.

Scenes on the way to the hostel. Beautiful buildings