Wednesday 15 April – Camino Portugués, Day 1
It begins.
We woke up early in Porto, 7am breakfast at the hotel. Different feel this morning. Not rushed, but purposeful. Bags mostly packed, minds already on the road.
We walked up to Sé Cathedral, where it all starts. Got our pilgrim passports stamped, took a moment there, and then began finding our way out of the city. It’s a quiet kind of moment, but it lands. You know you’re starting something real.
Not long after, we stopped for a proper strong Portuguese coffee and something to eat. The coffee here doesn’t mess around. As we moved through the streets, we found ourselves in parts of Porto that felt completely local. No tourists, just people living life. Cafés full, people outside talking, taking their time. It’s a different rhythm. You don’t see that in the States in the same way. There’s an ease, a connection, a sense that people know each other. It’s a walking culture. You feel it everywhere. People are out, moving, and it shows. Everyone looks fit just from how they live day to day.
We looped back to the hotel, got properly geared up, packs on, and then walked back to the cathedral. That second walk felt different. This time it counted.
From there, we started the Camino Portugués.
The route today took us out along the coast toward Matosinhos. Around seven miles on paper, but with everything included it was closer to 12 by the time we arrived. Ended the day around 28,000 steps.
It’s mostly flat, so not technically hard, but the pack changes everything. You feel it in your shoulders and your stride. It’s a different kind of effort.
Physically, my calf bones as my friend Dean calls them were fine today. That was good to feel. My Achilles tightened up by the end of the day though, which got my attention. Nothing major, just something to watch. Tomorrow is a 14 mile day, so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out. That said, I’m feeling good. It’ll be fine.
The weather shifted as we went. Light drizzle early on, then it broke open into proper sunshine. Completely changed the day. First real sun since Sophie left. I actually had to stop and put sunscreen on, which says a lot.
We arrived into Matosinhos, a proper working coastal town. Everywhere you look, it’s fish restaurants. Fresh, local, no fuss. I’m about to try stingray for the first time.
Wine is still cheaper than water. That hasn’t changed.
Tonight we’re in an albergue. About 110 square feet, eight beds. Basic, tight, but exactly what it should be. Big shift from the hotel in Porto. That’s part of the transition. You go from comfort into the Camino. From visitor to pilgrim.
Already met people from Germany, Holland, Sweden, and America. Everyone open, everyone friendly. There’s a shared understanding straight away.
We’re a few miles into what’s roughly a 180 mile journey. Early days, but it’s started.
Tomorrow steps up. 14 miles.
Today was about beginning. Finding a rhythm. Feeling the pack. Paying attention.
It’s underway now.
Playing at some videos. It will get better
