I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, from León to Santiago, and then took the bus on to Finisterre, between February 23rd and March 8th 2012. I learnt some things along the way!
- It is blissful to have a blister competently treated, and forget all about it the next day of walking.
- It is very rewarding to competently treat someone else’s blisters, and be reminded they are not in pain the next day of walking.
- Other pilgrims’ rustling of plastic bags are as good an alarm as any for waking up between 7am and 7.30am on a daily basis in albergues (hostels).
- Silver foil blankets can be mistaken by one’s subconscious mind as the abovementioned alarm, and it’s no fun to wake up at 2am, 2.20am, 4am and 5.35am when the person under the silver foil tosses and turns.
- I really don’t need many things. Boots, some quick drying layers of clothing, a sleeping bag, toothbrush, soap, water and a chorizo sausage could get me through most days.
- It is possible to get extremely sunburnt on one’s nose in February in northern Spain.
- My body adapts quickly, and is also quick to complain when its limits are exceeded.
- A walking stick can be used like a kayak paddle to help climb uphill.
- Reading people’s funny comments on walls and signs makes me feel connected to humanity.
- Walking on sand is more gentle on the feet than walking on tarmac.
- Walking on pebbles can seem like a gentle foot massage in the morning, and exquisite torture by evening.
- There are way more heart-shaped pebbles in the world than I could ever have imagined.
- A rucksack that weighs less than 10% of my body weight is bearable. It’s important to factor in the food and drinks that will be stuffed into the rucksack while packing though, as it can add kilos!
- If my rucksack is feeling too heavy, it’s a good idea to stop, sit down, and eat and drink some of its contents.
- There was stuff I carried in my rucksack that I never used on the Camino: a Kindle, USB cables, extra iPhone battery pack, silver foil blanket.
- It’s good to have lots of spare plasters.
- It’s also good to have lots of plastic bags of different sizes. If nothing else, I can wake up other pilgrims by rustling them!
- One day, 30km may feel like a stroll in the park, and the next day, 15km may feel like a marathon. It all depends on mood, pain levels, breakfast quality and company.
- Smiling at local people and greeting them in their language almost always gets a greeting in return. When it does not, it’s equally interesting.
- Coming home to a fixed abode full of things, with no pilgrims, weather exposure, varied underfoot textures or physical demands is less interesting. I am now pondering ways to be a pilgrim in my own home and in my whole life.
As they say on the Camino:
“El peregrino no exige, pero agradece” — a pilgrim does not have expectations, but gives thanks.
Thank you Camino de Santiago!
I had no expectations of you whatsoever, and you gave me more than I could ever have dreamt of.
