To his 98 years, Rufina has decided to do something that many much younger people still have to do: walk the Camino de Santiago.
Has traveled since Puerto Rico to complete around 100 kilometers from Lugo to Santiago, and her vitality has made her one of the most talked about pilgrims these days. His way of dealing with effort, fatigue and stages has ended up going viral on social networks. Telecinco
The best thing about his story is not only his age.
It's the attitude.
While other pilgrims talk about blisters, hills or endless kilometers, Rufi summarizes part of the experience with a phrase that has already become his best letter of introduction:
“I'm doing cardio.”
98 years old and desire to continue walking
Rufi faces the Camino accompanied and adapting the route to her possibilities, but without giving up living the experience of advancing towards Santiago.
Her presence in the stages has provoked surprise, admiration and many expressions of affection from other pilgrims who come across her. Telecinco
And perhaps that is part of the strength of this story.
Because the Camino is used to receiving athletes, young people, veterans, people looking for a personal challenge and pilgrims who arrive from practically anywhere in the world.
But meeting a 98-year-old advancing towards Compostela reminds us that there is no single age to get going.
From Puerto Rico to Galicia
Rufina has crossed the Atlantic from Puerto Rico to live this experience.
According to the information published by Telecinco, their objective is to travel the approximately one hundred kilometers that separate Lugo from Santiago and thus complete their own pilgrimage. Telecinco
The itinerary from Lugo is part of the Primitive Path, one of the historical routes to Compostela and, furthermore, one of the points from which the minimum distance required for those who make the necessary route on foot to qualify for Compostela is exceeded, provided that the rest of the requirements are met.
A pilgrim who has become a phenomenon on networks
Rufi's naturalness, his comments and his energy have caused videos of his Camino to circulate quickly on social networks.
But behind the viral anecdote there is something much more interesting.
At 98 years old, he continues traveling, walking, discovering places and facing a new challenge.
And that makes his arrival towards Santiago more than just a curiosity.
It's also a little lesson about age.
The Camino does not ask how old you are
The Camino de Santiago has something especially particular: it brings together people for a few days who would probably never meet anywhere else.
Young people of twenty years old.
Retirees.
Families.
Athletes.
People who walk by faith.
Others who seek to overcome a complicated stage in their life.
And now also a 98-year-old Puerto Rican pilgrim who, when someone asks her how she is doing the effort, responds that she is doing cardio.
That may be one of the best definitions of the spirit of the Camino.
Because there are people who at 98 years old could look back.
Rufi has decided to look towards Santiago.
