In the spring of 2008, I started the Way of St. James in Trier (D) while processing my grief. I walked through Switzerland and France to Spain (Barcelona). The travel money I had borrowed was used up when I reached the Swiss border (Konstanz). Once I entered Switzerland, I could continue camping and refuel with a tent and sleeping bag. I could ask the local farmers for food if I asked, and there were always potatoes, bread, or even a place to stay overnight in a hay barn.
Nothing is more excellent than washing with warm water and a morning café au lait after 8 hours of hiking! Many of the farmers gave me money for the journey and for asking for intercession!
When I arrived in France, I received food and lodging from various people for several days. Here is the gift of a new sleeping bag and a T-shirt from the local St. Jaques Society (Way of St. James Society). Another important host father took me to the local miller, who gave me 50 euros (in 2008).
I also stayed in a French castle (château), was able to recharge my batteries for several days in an Emmaus commune in the south of France, and then arrived completely exhausted in Barcelona as the trip's final destination. 
I flew home to Frankfurt via Lufthansa!

The guardian angels of our lives sometimes fly so high that we can no longer see them, but they never lose sight of us. (Jean Paul)

Anecdotes from this route from Trier to Barcelona:

 I ran out of money behind the German-Swiss border (exactly from Konstanz) and I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to abandon the Camino (why would I? 😉 ) but I at least needed food. So I met two Swiss women at a river who said to me in summary: "You can ask any farmer on your way for potatoes or shelter for the night."

– On the way between Zurich and Basel I was walking along a Swiss country road and saw a music cassette track (brown tangled cables). At the end of the lane, several meters, there were 30 Swiss Francs on the road! 
The day was saved with food and drink and a café! 

- Near Belfort (F), my host father gave me his watch as a gift with the words: “From now on, don’t arrive to work anymore late !”

- On many hills (Vosges, F) I was asked by young drivers if they could give me a ride. 

– Near Lyon, I was told: “You can ask for a hostel at any town hall (Mairie) in France until 5 p.m., that’s the law in France.” The highlight – et voilá – was an overnight stay in a real French castle (Château) with delicious French food! 

 When I arrived in Barcelona (autumn 2008), I went to the German consulate and asked for help. The consulate employee called my bank in Trier (Brotstrasse) and I was given an account limit of a symbolic four-digit amount. 

 In summary, at 27, this was probably the most interesting, funniest, but above all, most challenging adventure I have undertaken to date! I ran around 2,000 kilometers, averaging 25-30 kilometers a day. In three days of running mode and then a day off. 

Today, I have been learning French again for over 2 years and permanently. 
I have continued the Way of St. James from Avignon again (2021), with stage 4 of 5 still around 198km to Santiago de Compostela.