Walk by My Side: A Solo Journey to Santiago on the Portuguese Camino

by John Comando

When I decided to walk the Camino de Santiago alone at age 71, it was on a whim. A year and a half earlier, I had had a hip replacement, but felt that I had become complacent in a comfortable retirement, and needed to shake up my life. And that’s what I did. I knew walking a Camino wouldn’t be easy or pain-free. Despite months of training and preparation, there was no way I could plan for the unexpected. On my third day of walking, an injury on the trail threatened my ability to finish my adventure. It would be more difficult and demanding than I ever imagined, forcing me to reach beyond physical pain and endurance, battle self-doubts, and draw from a spirit within me to finish the walk all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, I discover unexpected feelings and surprising emotions. Walk by My Side takes the reader from the months of preparation in central Mexico to Portugal where I started a 100 mile journey on the Camino Portugues to Santiago de Compestela in Spain. I’ll take you with me as I walk to the rhythm of the endless ocean surf, navigate sprawling suburbs that have engulfed the ancient Way, traverse the Camino’s paths and the back roads of Galicia, and savor the tastes of Galician food and wine. Along the way, I meet a variety of characters, pilgrims from around the world, who are walking for their own personal reasons, and observe a Camino that is changing to accommodate expansive growth and ever-increasing numbers of pilgrims. When I first started writing this book I had a friend read an early chapter where I started walking the Camino. Her comment to me was “I felt like I was walking with you, walking by your side.” That comment inspired the book’s title and a promise to the reader to maintain that feeling throughout the journey. Read this travel memoir and you’ll be there with me…walking by my side.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[Ruth M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it isn't a bad book, but, having walked the Camino (although on a different route), I feel like his characterization of the Camino to be a bit flat.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for an amateur (writer and pilgrim), but like some other reviewers, it fell a little flat. Having walked the Camino Frances myself, I would have made some different recommendations and observations, and would not have spent so much time talking about the food. Yes, it was good, but many other aspects of the journey deserve attention as well. But, as is often said on the Camino Forum, every pilgrim’s experience will be unique to them. What worked for him wouldn’t always work for me, and what worked for me won’t necessarily work for others.

[Jaynie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s so much fun to read another pilgrim’s perspective on a Camino. I enjoyed the little details about all of the seafood and peppers. Many comments he made about how he felt toward the end of each day were spot on for how I felt on the Camino Francis.
This makes me excited for my Camino on the Portuguese route!

[Carol A. Horejs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I thought the author wrote more about eating than anything else. Hence the 3 stars. I thought the walk could have been more descriptive. I walked part of the Camino France so I always enjoy reading about the experiences of others who walk the Camino. I admire all those who walk it.

[Wayne Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for seniors on the Camino

The route was precisely what we are planning. I liked the descriptions of his days, not intricate in detail but very real . The towns were identified/ and described well and I now know their sequence on the route. Liked his training explanation so much I went to train in the same area of Mexico when it was winter at my home.

[Jeff Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book as I am about the same age and am going to walk the Camino Portugues this fall. I have walked the Camino Frances 9 years ago and wanted to find out the difference. I am a Catholic and am doing it for spiritual purposes so I was intrigued to read why a nonbeliever would put themselves through this.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one non-purist to another, I really enjoyed walking by your side, to get a glimpse of a portion of the Portuguese Camino, and your experience along the way. Now I can say I've "done" another Camino in yet another non-purist way. Buen Camino mi Amigo.

[Debb Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

He made it

A lovely story of a 71 year young man who accomplished the goal of walking his own Camino after hip surgery. I enjoyed his memoir and picked up some useful tips for when I walk my Camino

[Matt Eckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read


I was inspired by the honesty of this read. The aches and pains and sometimes the struggle and determination it takes to finish the Camino made me ponder and keep in mind as I prepare for my own Camino next spring.

[Paula McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be walking this same route of the Camino and found this very helpful in anticipation of my trip. I loved hearing about the preparation, the daily routine, the cafes and the descriptions of the food! It was perfect for me as I leave in a week.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well written. I actually felt like I was walking by his side.

[Mrs. Pava · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I applaud the author for undertaking this adventure, especially given his age, there were few useful takeaways and the quality of the writing was middling. A quick read. Received as a gift.

[Art McMaster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Camino Book

Didn’t live up to customary reads on the Camino. Thought the author would go a little more in depth on the experiences.

[Sabra Kurth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the Audible edition. It was ok, not sure what I was expecting.

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in hopes of following along as my sister and a friend walked the Camino in Portugal. I enjoyed locating the stops the author made using Google maps.

[Pamela Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

I read this book in one day, very enjoyable . Helping me to make my Camino choice for the coming year

[Marilise Blignaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A good read - although the authors’ cynicism bugged me at times. But enduring the walk despite wanting to give up after a hip replacement … inspiring!

[Laura O'shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting to me as I plan to walk the same Camino route as the author in July, 2025.