anonperegrino12
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Portuguese Coastal, September 2022
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I am so very sorry to hear this. It is an awful experience that will stay with you for awhile - it has happened to me 4 times on different Caminos. 3 in Portugal and once in northern Spain near Santiago. I have reported all to Police and the nearest albergues. I have had mixed responses. A few Portuguese women blamed me for walking alone, others were extremely sympathetic. Some hospitaleros shrugged it off as mental health issues and that Portugal is a poor country with little resources to combat this abuse !!Hi all,
I'm sad to be posting this but I felt sharing my experience would be a cautionary tale for those moving forward. I started my Camino four days ago and have fallen in love as many do, but had an unfortunate encounter with an attempted assault and/or robbery yesterday afternoon on the Camino Portuguese Coastal, the Litoral way north of Esponsende. I decided to try the Coastal Litoral route from Esponsende moving to Castelo do Nieva. Starting in Agucadoura, I had been in frequent contact with others on the Camino, but when I moved onto the Litoral there were a lot fewer locals and peregrinos.
Somewhere between Mar and Balinho I was passed by a suspicious man who I realized had turned around and begun stalking me. Upon increasing speed, he began to jog around corners and I called Portugal's emergency number, 112. While on the phone with the police, I turned to find him about 100 yards behind me and was then rushed by him while he reached for his pants, I don't want to imagine what for. I very luckily scared him off by brandishing my large and very full metal water bottle while screaming at him and feeding the police information. He ran back south on the trail while I ran toward Balinho.
I was approached by a lovely local who offered me help and guidance, he even walked me all the way to my albergue for the night! I was cautioned by the man, who was raised and still lives in the area, that the Litoral North path is very dangerous for those traveling alone, especially women and to avoid it moving forward. I feel the police handled it well, I was contacted an hour later to give a description for the officers going to the area.
I'll be sadly stopping my camino as my walk today was filled with paranoia despite others walking with me for support. I will be back to complete my journey but for now I hope everyone travels safely.
Sorry to hear that . I will be doing that stretch early Oct alone. Is there a time of day that might be busier or safer ???Hi all,
I'm sad to be posting this but I felt sharing my experience would be a cautionary tale for those moving forward. I started my Camino four days ago and have fallen in love as many do, but had an unfortunate encounter with an attempted assault and/or robbery yesterday afternoon on the Camino Portuguese Coastal, the Litoral way north of Esponsende. I decided to try the Coastal Litoral route from Esponsende moving to Castelo do Nieva. Starting in Agucadoura, I had been in frequent contact with others on the Camino, but when I moved onto the Litoral there were a lot fewer locals and peregrinos.
Somewhere between Mar and Balinho I was passed by a suspicious man who I realized had turned around and begun stalking me. Upon increasing speed, he began to jog around corners and I called Portugal's emergency number, 112. While on the phone with the police, I turned to find him about 100 yards behind me and was then rushed by him while he reached for his pants, I don't want to imagine what for. I very luckily scared him off by brandishing my large and very full metal water bottle while screaming at him and feeding the police information. He ran back south on the trail while I ran toward Balinho.
I was approached by a lovely local who offered me help and guidance, he even walked me all the way to my albergue for the night! I was cautioned by the man, who was raised and still lives in the area, that the Litoral North path is very dangerous for those traveling alone, especially women and to avoid it moving forward. I feel the police handled it well, I was contacted an hour later to give a description for the officers going to the area.
I'll be sadly stopping my camino as my walk today was filled with paranoia despite others walking with me for support. I will be back to complete my journey but for now I hope everyone travels safely.
You might consider following the arrows on the 'official' coastal camino that day, as it is inland and this awful incident happened on the Senda Litoral, along the coast. For what it's worth, I really enjoyed the inland trail that day. Here's my description of that stage here on the forum, if that helps.Sorry to hear that . I will be doing that stretch early Oct alone. Is there a time of day that might be busier or safer ???
At the moment it may be very wise for people walking alone to follow this local advice.I was cautioned by the man, who was raised and still lives in the area, that the Litoral North path is very dangerous for those traveling alone, especially women and to avoid it moving forward.
ThanksYou might consider following the arrows on the 'official' coastal camino that day, as it is inland and this awful incident happened on the Senda Litoral, along the coast. For what it's worth, I really enjoyed the inland trail that day. Here's my description of that stage here on the forum, if that helps.
This incident reminds me of something happened to me today when I started to walk from Coimbra in the midday. As there was also a man running along the Camino up and down the road when it was just me and him. He kept checking on me and he stopped sometimes very weirdly which alert my attention. He didn't try to do anything to me in the end because at one point I think he tried to speak to me but I didn't look his way. I don't know if you are a religious person but when I walk the Camino, every step I make I am praying the rosary for protection and to clear my mind. In my reflection of what happened to the weird man, I think he really thought I could be his target today, but somehow a force stopped him and it's because of my prayers and the rosary is really a powerful weapon against the devil, that's why I pray the rosary all the time when I start walking on the Camino and carry at least one rosary on me and one on the backpack. I don't know if you pray the rosary or not but tomorrow when I start walking I will pray a rosary for you. Also if you need any assistance in Portugal, you can contact me as I live in Portugal and I speak Portuguese. If you want a good companion to give you confidence to continue walking to Santiago, you can let me know but just I am a bit far behind you right now as tomorrow I will only reach Mealhada. But from Porto I will take a bus to Caminha and continue along the coast to Santiago. If you haven't been walking from Lisbon to Santiago, you can try walking with me in the central part of Portugal. I can show you around this part of Portugal as it's my 2nd time on this route and I am doing it very slowly to enjoy every moment on the Camino and I don't mind to share the pleasant moment with you.Hi all,
I'm sad to be posting this but I felt sharing my experience would be a cautionary tale for those moving forward. I started my Camino four days ago and have fallen in love as many do, but had an unfortunate encounter with an attempted assault and/or robbery yesterday afternoon on the Camino Portuguese Coastal, the Litoral way north of Esponsende. I decided to try the Coastal Litoral route from Esponsende moving to Castelo do Nieva. Starting in Agucadoura, I had been in frequent contact with others on the Camino, but when I moved onto the Litoral there were a lot fewer locals and peregrinos.
Somewhere between Mar and Balinho I was passed by a suspicious man who I realized had turned around and begun stalking me. Upon increasing speed, he began to jog around corners and I called Portugal's emergency number, 112. While on the phone with the police, I turned to find him about 100 yards behind me and was then rushed by him while he reached for his pants, I don't want to imagine what for. I very luckily scared him off by brandishing my large and very full metal water bottle while screaming at him and feeding the police information. He ran back south on the trail while I ran toward Balinho.
I was approached by a lovely local who offered me help and guidance, he even walked me all the way to my albergue for the night! I was cautioned by the man, who was raised and still lives in the area, that the Litoral North path is very dangerous for those traveling alone, especially women and to avoid it moving forward. I feel the police handled it well, I was contacted an hour later to give a description for the officers going to the area.
I'll be sadly stopping my camino as my walk today was filled with paranoia despite others walking with me for support. I will be back to complete my journey but for now I hope everyone travels safely.
It’s a pleasant stage featuring forests and churches so I’m sure you will enjoy it besides having more peace of mind. Bom caminho.I plan to be walking between Esposende and Viana do Castelo on 19 September and will take the Coastal Way rather than the Senda Litoral for this section. If any other solo peregrinas would like some company, let me know.
It's terrible to hear that - and along with so many other stories here and on other threads. I hope it does not colour your view of the Camino/Portugal altogether.Hi all,
I'm sad to be posting this but I felt sharing my experience would be a cautionary tale for those moving forward. I started my Camino four days ago and have fallen in love as many do, but had an unfortunate encounter with an attempted assault and/or robbery yesterday afternoon on the Camino Portuguese Coastal, the Litoral way north of Esponsende. I decided to try the Coastal Litoral route from Esponsende moving to Castelo do Nieva. Starting in Agucadoura, I had been in frequent contact with others on the Camino, but when I moved onto the Litoral there were a lot fewer locals and peregrinos.
Somewhere between Mar and Balinho I was passed by a suspicious man who I realized had turned around and begun stalking me. Upon increasing speed, he began to jog around corners and I called Portugal's emergency number, 112. While on the phone with the police, I turned to find him about 100 yards behind me and was then rushed by him while he reached for his pants, I don't want to imagine what for. I very luckily scared him off by brandishing my large and very full metal water bottle while screaming at him and feeding the police information. He ran back south on the trail while I ran toward Balinho.
I was approached by a lovely local who offered me help and guidance, he even walked me all the way to my albergue for the night! I was cautioned by the man, who was raised and still lives in the area, that the Litoral North path is very dangerous for those traveling alone, especially women and to avoid it moving forward. I feel the police handled it well, I was contacted an hour later to give a description for the officers going to the area.
I'll be sadly stopping my camino as my walk today was filled with paranoia despite others walking with me for support. I will be back to complete my journey but for now I hope everyone travels safely.
What about the Southern Costal Way? Starting from the very south. Is it safe?I'm so sorry this happened to you @anonperegrino12, and salute you for handing it so well. A very good idea to pause and gather yourself - time to quietly be with what may be many reactions. Posting here is a big service to all those behind you, many thanks. Take good care of yourself and buen camino when you resume your walk!
At the moment it may be very wise for people walking alone to follow this local advice.
Hi,Hi all,
I'm sad to be posting this but I felt sharing my experience would be a cautionary tale for those moving forward. I started my Camino four days ago and have fallen in love as many do, but had an unfortunate encounter with an attempted assault and/or robbery yesterday afternoon on the Camino Portuguese Coastal, the Litoral way north of Esponsende. I decided to try the Coastal Litoral route from Esponsende moving to Castelo do Nieva. Starting in Agucadoura, I had been in frequent contact with others on the Camino, but when I moved onto the Litoral there were a lot fewer locals and peregrinos.
Somewhere between Mar and Balinho I was passed by a suspicious man who I realized had turned around and begun stalking me. Upon increasing speed, he began to jog around corners and I called Portugal's emergency number, 112. While on the phone with the police, I turned to find him about 100 yards behind me and was then rushed by him while he reached for his pants, I don't want to imagine what for. I very luckily scared him off by brandishing my large and very full metal water bottle while screaming at him and feeding the police information. He ran back south on the trail while I ran toward Balinho.
I was approached by a lovely local who offered me help and guidance, he even walked me all the way to my albergue for the night! I was cautioned by the man, who was raised and still lives in the area, that the Litoral North path is very dangerous for those traveling alone, especially women and to avoid it moving forward. I feel the police handled it well, I was contacted an hour later to give a description for the officers going to the area.
I'll be sadly stopping my camino as my walk today was filled with paranoia despite others walking with me for support. I will be back to complete my journey but for now I hope everyone travels safely.
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