Camino Gratitude Primitivo

Primitivo Camino from Olviedo to Finisterre

Camino Fruits

Hiking the Camino today combined beauty and endurance. Beginning at 6:00 AM for a 32-km hike from Campiello to La Mesa, we walk under the silver moon glow before transitioning to a vibrant, multi-colored sunrise. The trail was alive with Spring, wildflowers lined the path in full bloom while birdsong accompanied every rhythmic step.

As we climbed the grassy mountain ridges, the path was full of grazing horses and cows, and incredible pilgrims along the way. The Camino brought together Germans, Swiss, Spaniards, Australians, and New Zealanders, of all ages. I was impressed by an 87-year-old Australian widow battling asthma. She has walked every Camino route and stops every 60 steps for a minute to catch her breath. To maintain that lovely, optimistic attitude over 220 miles is beautiful resilience. I also encountered Armando, a hardworking Spaniard running a small coffee and juice oasis at the highest peak, a welcomed spot to pause, breathe, and enjoy the first cup of the day.

The Fruits of the Camino

I’ve categorize the virtues blossoming between the pilgrims on the trail. These are the “fruits” of our daily Camino labor:

• Generosity: daily silent exchange of advice, bandages, fruit, and water.

• Gentleness: no raised voices, even at the end of exhausting days to wait for Alburgue check-in.

• Goodness: encouraging pilgrims to enjoy moments.

• Joy: shared wonder of mountain tops, flowers, and resillence.

• Kindness: simple, selfless act of sharing food, water and wisdom without expectation.

• Love: a quiet bond of respect through miles of struggle and heavy packs.

• Modesty: beautiful equality on the trail, where every pilgrim’s journey is respected.

• Patience: every steep climb, rainy mile, and blister is taken with grace and some tears.

• Peace: An internal stillness that settles into every rhythmic stride.

Buen Camino!

Moon walking
Sun and Mist

Blessed

Armando selling fresh OJ and Coffee at Mountain Peak
An 87 year old Pilgrim

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2 responses to “Camino Fruits”

  1. Dick Rochester Avatar
    Dick Rochester

    Hi John, kudos on the great blog and photos. Did you begin in Oviedo or Villaviciosa?

    I started in Oviedo and walked 19 km the first day to Paladin – easy walk to get legs moving

    I’m planning to do the Primitivo in August 2027. I need to decide whether to take the Hospitales or the Pola de Allende route. It looks like you took the Hospitales route. Just how hard is it?

    I took Hospitales, I enjoyed the scenery and trails.

    How does the Primitivo compare withe the Frances (other than being shorter but much more mountainous and having far fewer pilgrims? I found many little old stone churches on the Frances route. Does the Primitivo also have plenty of those? I also did the Portuguese Coastal route from Lisbon. there were much fewer churches on the route.

    Primitivo is much more up and down – seems like 500 – 1,200 meters change in elevation every day. It’s a slower walk given the hills.

    Lastly, how much does you pack weigh? I used a transport service for my caminos so I only carried about 15 pounds. The rest of my “luggage” was transported by the service from hotel to hotel.

    my total pack weight is 15 pounds with 2 liters of waters. I don’t take too much and carry my pack in case I change the stopping point.

    I noticed you walked from Campiello to La Mesa, instead of Berducedo. That’s a pretty long day. You must be far fitter than me! Thanks again for the updates.

    yes, a long day but beautiful!

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  2. student5390 Avatar
    student5390

    John, you sound amazing! Stay positive and keep going! I love you,

    sue

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