Beyond Expectations is the author’s narrative of a six-day walk on the Camino Portugues from Tui to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Her pilgrimage is 118 km, walking 20 km a day, on average, enough to earn the Compostela, or certificate of completion for pilgrims who walk to Santiago as seekers of a deeper connection with Spirit and oneself.

The author, a middle-aged woman on the brink of divorce, describes both the outer landscape and the inner landscape of her thoughts as she explores where she’s been and where she’s going in her life journey. Grateful to have survived a career change after experiencing debilitating depression and anxiety, she dedicated her walk to those who struggle with mental health issues. She raised money for the Project Happiness organization’s Race for Wellness during her walk. Profits from this book’s sales will be donated to organizations that educate people of all ages about mental health and emotional resiliency.

Her current career is teaching English as a Foreign Language to professionals who use English as the common language for international business, academics, and travel. She designed the book with these intermediate to advanced learners in mind. Included in the Appendix are English and Spanish glossaries, and packing and resource lists. Additional learning materials are available on her website, www.conversationswithkate.net.

The book can also stand alone as information for anyone wishing to spend a week walking on the Camino Portugues or readers seeking inspiration to examine the expectations in their own lives.

Beyond Expectations describes one woman’s way to rise above expectations that were holding her back, and in so doing, she experienced an adventure that was beyond her expectations.