Camino Day 6: Bercianos de Real Camino – Mansilla de Las Mulas (26km)

July 8, 2026

I tried to sleep in but this was my first big albergue and people were out at 3:45am. I tried to go back to sleep, but woke up at 4, 5, 5:30am and finally gave up since everyone was making so much noise.

Big sleepover and everyone was packing up, so I decide to get ready too.

I had a nice slow breakfast with new friends, and then danced at sunrise, pretending we were Meseta princesses.

I put on my shoes and backpack and paused with the hospitaleros. I was so impressed at the camino spirit they instilled in the albergue, that it inspired me to do the same thing next year.

The idea was planted in my brain and I asked them a few questions on how to get started, and you bet that’s what’s I’m doing next year; volunteering on the camino with my camino spirit energy.

I was grinning ear to ear as I started my walk at sunrise. More dreams. I walked with the Irish Aussie couple for a good chunk of the morning. The temperature was cooler after the rain last night and it was the first time in a while where I was feeling refreshing air.

I felt I was floating on the camino again; open to camino. Going with the flow because I now have friends and feel I’m part of something. I have safe people, but I also am moving forward with intention. And everything around me feel joyful because I know it’s for a reason. Even the tough moments.

Everything felt so spacious, like I imagined. Peace and floating inner landscape. Light and airy.

I was smiling a lot, knowing I’m so present. So grateful to be here.

I was thinking about everyone I’ve met so far and how Polish is my favourite – we laugh so much, have fun but also talk about what’s real. The first day I met him, he told me about his cancer diagnosis. This is what I love about Camino; there is so much space to feel and process. Alone and with others. To talk and understand each other. Empathize and grow. Being human.

And 5 minutes later, he was in front me.

“You’re my favourite person on camino”, I shouted.

I’m sure he smiled. He’s subtle and sarcastic, so a tiny smile says a lot.

And then we walked together the rest of the day. We talked more about his health and my heath and depression and having children and not having children and travels and life and passion projects and family and Poland and Canada and everything. He definitely meets me at soul level and expands my heart and mind.

We walked for a while longer and Korean 1 joined us. We all had a coca-cola and walked the last 10k together talking about investments and travel plans and staying in touch and Santiago. And having a rest day in Leon to let loose.

I never took a rest day on first Camino, so this was new for me. I also wasn’t chasing a man. I felt like the people that show up, are there, effortlessly and without trying. We all show up.

I initially planned to stay in the village before. I even had a reservation, but I cancelled it. When you have a camino family and it is joyful and inspiring, you cherish that.

We arrived in a cute village, very medieval feel, lots of stone. We managed to find beds in the municipal albergue, then did the ritual; shower, hand wash laundry…but we didn’t nap. Instead we went and picked up groceries to share for lunch. Naturally, we bought half the store.

Another younger Korean guy asked if Polish and I were together because of our playful bickering, and I don’t think it’s odd of him to ask. Polish is married but what I’m noticing is he has many qualities I want in a partnership. Camino shows you what you need.

He shows up. We laugh a lot. He’s patient and gives me space to be myself. He encourages me to take risks and pursue my passion projects, respecting the time and space I need to pursue it. He participates in adventures and we are on a similar schedule and routine and pace. It flows, so we continuously choose to walk together or arrive around the same time at the same albergues because our camino values align.

And that’s a metaphor for life partnership.

***

We had salad and sandwiches and meats and beers and chips and peaches outside. We lingered under the trees in the heat, joined by another young Korean. We talked about military service and politics and then retired to take a nap.

The lunch and nap were both late, so by the time I woke up, it was almost 6pm and close to dinner. Except I overate and couldn’t think about food

I worked on my blog and listened to music, which sounded better than ever. Then we had dinner, which was mostly fruits and vegetables, (which my body is craving more vitamins and fiber).

A group of us took a digestion walk to the river for sunset to soak our feet in the cold water.