I’ll be mapping the coastal path. For one whole year, I had planned to take the central route. Because it’s October and in October, it’s supposed to be rainy and windy. Instead, we’ve got thirty degrees, it’s crazy hot.

I’m nervous, can’t sleep. I don’t really know what I’m doing. I bought new shoes last week. I’m scared I haven’t broken them in enough, so now I’m questioning whether I can walk the whole thing in slippers. Today, they carried me through 24 kilometres of Porto sightseeing. 'Cause I’m a dork who didn’t realise that resting her feet would’ve been a better idea, since two weeks of hellish fun are awaiting her. But what's a workout without a warm-up, right?

I’m scared my big toe will start hurting. So I’m googling buses and already thinking I could ride over some sections. In the end of the day, it’s about my own journey. I can do whatever I want on it.

I’m also scared that I won’t find accommodation or that I won’t find friends or that I will find both accommodation and friends, but everyone will fart and stink, and I’ll realise that I’m just a girl from Prague who's not cut out for this kind of adventure.

But.

My backpack is packed. My clothes are ready. My pastel de nata for breakfast is waiting for me to eat it in exactly seven hours. And then I’ll just go. Wish me luck.

Kat