The Camino Was the Plan—But the Adventure Goes On

At the end of this month, I was supposed to begin a 10-week trip hiking a section of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I have been looking forward to walking through beautiful villages, meeting fellow pilgrims, and starting my 30s with an adventure rooted in reflection and movement.

But here is the thing about travel—sometimes it does not go as planned.

Right now, many parts of Europe are experiencing severe wildfires. The Camino is not safe to travel on, and continuing with the plan as it was just is not an option. While that is disappointing, it is also part of the reality of travel: things happen. Weather shifts, strikes get announced, museums close unexpectedly, illness pops up, or in this case, nature reminds us that it does not always follow our timeline.

And when that happens, we pivot.

Travel often gets romanticized as picture-perfect itineraries and flawless experiences, but the truth is that it is as unpredictable as life itself. What matters is not whether everything goes exactly to plan—it is how we respond when it does not.

For me, this change of plans means going back to the drawing board. Instead of lacing up my hiking shoes on the Camino, I am reevaluating where and how to begin my 10 weeks abroad. I still need to change my flight and figure out the best way to start the trip. It is not all buttoned up yet—and that is okay. Part of flexibility is giving yourself space to breathe, reassess, and make the next best decision when circumstances shift.

If you have ever felt anxious about the “what ifs” of travel, I get it. We want to know everything will run smoothly. But honestly? Sometimes it will not. Flights get delayed. Weather rolls in. Restaurants run out of the dish you were dying to try. And that’s okay.

Because those are the moments where flexibility turns into freedom. When you let go of what should have been, you make space for what could be. Building a trip with intention is important, but holding on too tightly can rob you of the magic of spontaneity. Some of the best travel stories do not come from the perfectly executed plan—they come from the detours, the unexpected conversations, and the places you did not know you would end up.

My Camino may not be happening this time, but the journey is still unfolding. And I am ready to see where the pivot takes me.