Quick Camino Update

After a week of walking, we can report that a typical day on the Camino looks like this:

Wake up (before dawn - earlier if your bunkmates want to start walking before dawn)

Treat blisters, etc., brush teeth & hair, get dressed (hope your clothes are dry from washing the night before)

Eat "typical Spanish breakfast" of coffee, bread, butter and jam

Put on loaded back pack and begin walking (usually 7:30-8:30am)

2-4 kilometers later, stop for coffee/tea & tortilla España (a potato/egg omelette kind of thing) which comes with more bread

Walk more (walking may include awesome views, big cities, picturesque Spanish villages, conversations with people from all over the world, periodic snacks, a few tears, the occasional pep talk, some singing, lots of prayer, birdsong & rivers,  and humbling spots where you can only keep going with the help of others)

When you can walk no longer (usually from 3-5pm) push through to the next town with a place to stay (albergue) - which can include 2-30 other people in bunks. Check in, get your credential stamped, leave your boots on the shelf with others, put on other shoes (feel your feet rejoice) find your bunk.

Shower (and give thanks for indoor, heated plumbing!)

Wash clothes from the day (usually by hand) & hang to dry

Find a snack, take a breath, stretch, deal with blisters/sunburn

Run errands - fruit, cheese, nuts for road/sunscreen, Tylenol, etc...

Find out about dinner - at albergue or local bar/restaurant - usually around 7pm & usually "pilgrim's menu" of an appetizer, a main dish (often served with fries), sometimes a dessert, always with bread & wine for about 8-12 €.

Get ready for bed (usually around 8:30-9:30pm) -  and plan to upload pictures & work on the blog tomorrow if the albergue has wifi.

Think about those you love and say a prayer for them, realize how grateful you are for all you saw & experienced today, write in journal till you fall asleep.