Staying on the Camino

Following the Camino should be easyThere’s a quiet confidence that settles in after a few days on the Camino Portuguese. The rhythm of walking, the early morning light, the sound of our hiking boots on the cobblestones—it all starts to feel natural, almost instinctive. And with that confidence comes a subtle assumption: the path will guide us.Most of the time, it does.The yellow arrows—some faded, some bright, painted on walls, carved into stones, stuck to signposts—become our silent companions. We start to trust them completely. Add in a navigation app or two, and it feels nearly impossible to go wrong. And yet, it happens. Often. All it takes is a moment.Maybe we’re deep in conversation with each other, sharing thoughts about the day, the scenery or someone we met the night before. Maybe we’re just lost in our own thoughts, reflecting on the Camino or its history or the thousands of pilgrims that walked it before us. Or maybe we’re just distracted—by a beautiful view, a barking dog,…