Atypical Vagabond

15/06/2026

Most people think the Camino Francés begins with the first step.

They're wrong.

For Sage and me, it began with a journey from Coimbra that felt like its own pilgrimage. Trains, connections, backpacks, too much coffee, and just enough uncertainty to make us wonder if we'd even make it to the starting line.

Eventually, we arrived in St. Jean Pied de Port.

Pilgrims filled the streets. The Pyrenees loomed in the distance. Tomorrow, we'd begin a journey that would take us across Spain on foot.

But first, we had to survive our first albergue.

What happened that night had me questioning whether I was ready for 50+ days of pilgrim life.

By morning, there was mud everywhere. The floors looked like they had survived a small natural disaster. The bathrooms raised questions that nobody should have to ask before their first coffee.

And standing there, staring at the chaos, I had one thought:

What exactly have we signed up for?

Tomorrow we face the mountains. Today we got our first real lesson about the Camino.

The full story is now live on Atypical Vagabond.

Would you still start a 500-mile hike after a night like this?

23/05/2026

14/05/2026

I've been walking for days and needed some water and he wouldn't give it to me. Stone cold perigrino

10/05/2026

Arriving in the city of León felt almost cinematic.

I walked into town completely soaked from the pouring rain on the Camino de Santiago, boots squishing with every step, wondering if I’d ever actually dry out again. Then suddenly… the streets opened up, cafés buzzed with life, and the massive León Cathedral appeared through the rain like something out of another century.

The stained glass, the gothic towers, the way the lights reflected off the wet stone streets… it honestly felt surreal after hours of walking through the storm.

What surprised me most though was the energy here. León doesn’t just feel historic — it feels alive. Pilgrims dripping wet from the trail mixing with locals filling the plazas late into the evening. Music, conversation, laughter, and the smell of food pouring out from every corner.

Some towns on the Camino feel quiet and reflective. León feels vibrant. Like the rain itself can’t slow this city down.

And honestly… arriving here soaking wet somehow made it even more memorable.

07/05/2026

I’ll be honest… I definitely missed a few of these on my way into Burgos.

But the ones I did catch? They stopped me.

Monumento al Peregrino by Salvador Amaya isn’t loud or over-the-top. It’s simple. Quiet. Almost like the Camino itself. A tribute to the peregrinos walking the Camino de Santiago—past, present, and future.

And that’s what hit me.

You spend all day walking, head down, just trying to make it to the next stop… and then suddenly, there it is. A reminder that you’re part of something much bigger than just your own steps.

Some sculptures I saw.
Some I walked right past without even realizing.
But every single one? It’s there for a reason.

That’s the Camino.
You don’t just see it… you experience it—sometimes without even noticing.

Have you ever missed something incredible… only to realize it later? 👇

06/05/2026

There is a significant amount of footage that I will need to go through. However here is a primer of my day, today.

05/05/2026

It is interesting to g how our perspective defines out attitude. We can see this mud puddle as being in the way. Something might get us dirty wet and cold…
Or we can observe the beauty that life presents with a little effort.

03/05/2026

inside St John the Baptist Churchthere was an amazing stained glass window. It pointed to the way I should go in the morning.
Camino.

02/02/2026

Doing things my way tonight—because “À Minha Maneira” isn’t just a song, it’s a lifestyle.

Caught tearing it up at , and honestly? This is Coimbra night life done right.

No plans. No compromises. Just loud guitars, cold drinks, and choosing your own rhythm—even when the world tells you to follow the chorus. 🍻🎸

Some people do it by the book.
I do it à minha maneira.