My name is Paola, I live in Orotelli, a town crossed by the Bonaria Way. I had always heard about the Camino de Santiago and was attracted by the stories I read on social media. Every now and then I would also read some news about a Sardinian walk that was about to start, I was very
intrigued. So I made contact and decided to walk it with another group of pilgrims in August. “Will I make it?” “Will I be able to hold on for 14 days?” In the week before departure, I could not sleep at night because of anxiety but also because I felt inside a great
desire to cross Sardinia. I finally set off. After just one leg my feet were dug out by blisters, to the point that, for a moment, I had thought about going home. Thanks to my fellow travelers, I held on and managed to complete all the stages. Embarking on this Camino was more than just a journey for me; it was an extraordinary journey to myself. I started walking with my backpack on my back, without really knowing what I would find. Step by step, between silences, landscapes and encounters, I slowly discovered that the Camino would give me so much. The hospitality and welcoming people were a highlight of my Camino. Getting up early in the morning and seeing the sunrise in Fordongianus, the
trails in Marmilla and Campidano, each stage where I discovered a different nature, the fatigue I felt on my legs, the backpack that was heavier than usual at certain times, the hot summer air that was making itself felt…all of this, day after day, became a trusted companion during my 14-day walk. As I walked up the steps of Our Lady of Bonaria I could feel my heart pounding, an emotion I felt only with the birth of my son Lorenzo, who, with God’s
help, I hope will soon be able to put his backpack on his shoulders as well. I feel like a different person, the Bonaria Walk has taught me that true strength is within us, and I carry this experience with me as a great gift.
Paola Pudda
