Benedetta from Sardinia
Sardinia, Italy
This interview took place outside our donativo* in Carrión de los Condes in the soft light before sunrise, following what had been the heaviest downpour of the journey so far. The rain, hail, and strong winds had come the previous day in the afternoon, catching anyone who slept in that day out on the road, while those who set off early were already safe and dry in warm albergues. That morning, a light haze lingered in the air, and moisture clung to every surface. No one was sure if the rain would return or if the sun would burn off the early mist.
Like me, Benedetta had gathered her group of friends along the way—some were ahead of us, others behind, scattered along the Camino. Groups formed and dissolved as the trail dictated, with familiar faces drifting away and new ones joining. Some of her friends spoke only Italian, which made conversations more limited, but it never seemed to dampen their warmth or enthusiasm.
I had taken to referring to Benedetta as “mi amore” in a deliberately exaggerated, theatrical manner, which always brought out an embarrassed smile. That morning, as she stood in her rain jacket waiting for her friends, I kept mine strapped to the outside of my bag, ready if needed but left off to avoid clamminess as I started my day’s journey. In the stillness of the early morning, with the trail stretching ahead of us, we finally had a chance to chat.
- A Donativo is an albergue run by volunteers or religious organisations that runs on donations. Guests are asked to provide what they can when staying the night. The facilities are modest but comfortable. It is customary to pay the same amount as you would in a regular albergue, and not to treat it as a free service. Donativos operate on a first come, first served basis.
What motivated you to embark on the Camino de Santiago?
I always heard about it, and I wanted to do it to escape my normal life, to step out of my comfort zone. I just wanted to leave—go through a hard experience all by myself. And yeah, that’s it.
Can you share a particularly memorable moment from your journey so far?
I think all the memorable moments are the little ones, like when other pilgrims say “Buen Camino.” It’s a special moment—it’s just, you know, the little things.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on this journey, and how did you overcome it?
I think the biggest challenge is walking while feeling pain with every step because of my blisters. But it’s a good challenge, because I can still walk—so it’s fine.
What is something you’ve learned about yourself while walking the Camino?
How strong I can be when I really want to do something and when I see my goal.
Can you share any Camino wisdom?
The first one is that I’m not alone, but I am by myself—that’s different. And also, it’s normal to feel tired, because you are human.
How do you think this experience will influence your life after the Camino?
I think it will influence my life through the people I’ve met and all the little moments I’ve shared with them. Every day I’ve spent with these people, and all the things they’ve taught me—they will stay with me.