Page 11 of Every Step She Takes

Bike Shorts hoots in response, and Inez adorably pumps her fist in the air.

“Yes! That’s the kind of energy I want to see!

I am so happy you have all decided to join me in this transformative experience.

I cannot wait to get to know each of you better,” Inez singsongs like a Disney Princess addressing her flock of woodland creatures.

“Tonight, we will have dinner as a group and do proper introductions, but for now, we have a journey to begin!”

This time, Giant Camera and another femme with peekaboo platinum streaks in her black hair hoot along with Bike Shorts. Inez radiates pure joy.

“Today we have a short, twelve-kilometer walk to Matosinhos, on the coast just outside Porto, to ease us into the Camino. We’ll take things slow and give ourselves plenty of time to stop for photos and water.

Public restrooms are also marked along the route in the app.

Did we all download the Camino app? And if we get separated for some reason, please reach out in the WhatsApp group chat. ”

There’s some confusion as Inez passes around a QR code for the app, and a woman with perfectly coiffed, bottle-blond hair and a full face of makeup loudly struggles with what an app is , but Giant Camera steps in and helps.

Technology finally sorted, Inez clarifies, “I know some of you literally just stepped off the plane, but you will have the chance to get supplies in Matosinhos this afternoon. Sound good? Any questions?”

There are, in fact, many questions for such a small group, and after another thirty minutes of tedious details about the trek, we take a group photo of the eight of us crowded around the trail marker. I end up next to Sadie again, and her long ponytail brushes my bare arm.

“How many Caminos did you say you’ve done?

” she asks me as we begin our descent from the cathedral down toward the river.

Her cheeks are pink, and her eyes look the exact color of the sky in this lighting, and she has her zip-up tied around the narrow of her waist, emphasizing her staggering curves. And I definitely need to avoid her.

I grab my headphones and sling them around my neck. “You know, I’m pretty tired from traveling, so I think I’m going to put a podcast on and zone out,” I say. Very casual, very indifferent, very much not staring at her freckles.

“Oh,” Sadie says as I cover my ears and lose myself in the white noise and the steady steps of our walk away from Porto.

From: Wells, Sadie [email protected]

Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 9:13 p.m.

To: Wells, Victoria [email protected]

Subject: Draft of first blog post?

Hey Vi,

Here’s what I have so far for my first blog post. Am I on the right track at all???

Day One: Porto → Matosinhos (7 miles)

About two miles into our journey today, I discovered there were several things I did not know about the Camino when I agreed to do this trip for my sister.

I didn’t know the walking would start as soon as we got off the plane, and I wish I’d had the chance to shower the jet lag off first.

I didn’t know that we would be walking an average of 12 miles per day, starting with a 13-mile (!) walk tomorrow.

I didn’t realize the Camino is a religious pilgrimage, or that it would start in the Sé do Porto Cathedral.

I knew, in theory, that I would have to carry my possessions on my back, which is why I bought a $500 pack from REI. But I didn’t know what carrying my possessions would feel like. It fucking hurts. My neck is strained from the weight, and my lower back is pinched and aching.

I also didn’t realize that walking hurts. The arches of my feet burned, and my ankles were actively strangled by my hiking boots.

I didn’t know how hot it would be. It’s only May. Chill out, Portugal. (I was also alarmed to discover that unlike everything else I packed, my sports bra is not moisture-wicking, and my boob sweat got out of hand very quickly.)

I didn’t realize how much I hate my long hair until it got damp from all my neck sweat. It felt so thick and heavy, I had to put it into a bun. Which means the back of my neck is now sunburned.

I didn’t realize how much time I would have to spend with other people…

___

Sadie Wells —Owner and Manager of Live Wells Antiques

www.livewellsantiques.com

Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

From: Wells, Victoria [email protected]

Sent: Monday, May 12, 12:24 a.m.

To: Wells, Sadie mailto:[email protected]

Subject: Re: Draft of first blog post?

What the fuck, Sadie?!

You literally could not be further from the right track! This just makes it sound like I didn’t prepare you for the trip!!! And you realize the whole point is to make Beatrix Tours sound good, right?! Stop talking about your boob sweat and describe the fucking scenery or something.

And don’t forget to work in the affiliate links I sent you!

Please don’t mess this up for me.

Vi

___

Victoria Wells

Travel Writer

~Not all who wander are lost~