TRAVEL

Eyeing the Camino de Santiago Trail in Tui, Spain

Last year, I briefly flirted with the idea of celebrating my 80th on the Camino Trail. This year?

Early morning view from the hostel terrace with Portugal across the water (all photos by author)

I’m with my daughter and son-in-law on a two week trip to Spain. They’re scouting out possible locations for an eventual move from the US. I’m along for the ride and to gently but insistently urge them to take the plunge. As I remind them, ad nauseum, I moved to France eleven years ago and have never regretted it.

We’re spending a couple of nights in Tui, a medieval town just across the Miño River from Portugal. Our AirBnB is a hostel on part of the Camino de Santiago. While we’re the only residents now, the place has sleeping accommodations for ten. I slept in one of six bunk beds —a lower one, next to a window. Carolyn and Bill have a double bed in a room with a second double bed. In the summer, most of the beds are probably full.

Last night we cooked dinner in the tiny kitchen well stocked with condiments and coffee capsules left behind by walkers. We brought our own wine. It feels fun and adventurous — a glimpse into what it might be like to walk the trail, or at least what it might be like at the end of the day once you turn in for the night.