Camino Days - Part 2

[BrienC]

Rising: The day begins, senses dull from the previous day’s exertion, perhaps an hour before good light. Eyes held closed as long as possible as other walkers of the Camino are heard nearby, rustling through bags, dressing, finding a lost whatever. Each morning starts the same. This fight to put off the inevitable. Putting off the effort to get up from the bunk, wriggling out of the sleeping bag and finding your backpack, digging around for those clothes that smell the least. Then grabbing toothbrush and toothpaste to seek out water and become at least a semblance of human, presentable and hygienic. Only a half hour has passed, it seems forever in slow motion, dressing, primping, repacking for the day, and worst of all, strapping on those dreaded trail shoes before leaving the albergue. Another day begins.

 

[scruffy1]

Rising: The day begins, senses dull from the previous day’s exertion, perhaps an hour before good light. Eyes held closed as long as possible as other walkers of the Camino are heard nearby, rustling through bags, dressing, finding a lost whatever. Each morning starts the same. This fight to put off the inevitable. Putting off the effort to get up from the bunk, wriggling out of the sleeping bag and finding your backpack, digging around for those clothes that smell the least. Then grabbing toothbrush and toothpaste to seek out water and become at least a semblance of human, presentable and hygienic. Only a half hour has passed, it seems forever in slow motion, dressing, primping, repacking for the day, and worst of all, strapping on those dreaded trail shoes before leaving the albergue. Another day begins.

I can handle the wriggle-finding-digging-teeth brushing bit, that what a pilgrim does. It's the pre-dawn stumble/fumble-plastic bag rustling-headlamp flashing-creaky door to the toilets things that pilgrim do that depress me. A semblance of human, presentable and hygienic??? Despite efforts, I usually end up in Santiago mistaken for the Wild Man of Borneo - don't let it bother you.

 

[jimabfalter]

Rising: The day begins, senses dull from the previous day’s exertion, perhaps an hour before good light. Eyes held closed as long as possible as other walkers of the Camino are heard nearby, rustling through bags, dressing, finding a lost whatever. Each morning starts the same. This fight to put off the inevitable. Putting off the effort to get up from the bunk, wriggling out of the sleeping bag and finding your backpack, digging around for those clothes that smell the least. Then grabbing toothbrush and toothpaste to seek out water and become at least a semblance of human, presentable and hygienic. Only a half hour has passed, it seems forever in slow motion, dressing, primping, repacking for the day, and worst of all, strapping on those dreaded trail shoes before leaving the albergue. Another day begins.

I liked to get up and make a cup of coffee and watch everyone try to get out as early as possible. We tried walking early one day and ended up backtracking so the coffee and pack and wait for first light. Easy and comfortable and lots of fun. We arrived in Santiago refreshed and had a perfect dinner at a wonderful restaurant close to the cathedral and all was right with the world.

 

[Shalaw]

When we started our camino, we got up early, etc....but as time went on, we weren't in any hurry and oftentimes we were the last out of the albergue at eight bells!! There were many people who would leave in the dark but we only did this one time when we left San Juan de Ortega and used our headlamp to guide the way and once we were on our way in the dark, we almost literally walked into a stray cow!! Lol....such fun!! I was quite amazed at how quiet some folks could be though....and didn't hear a thing.

 

[Joodle]

Rising: The day begins, senses dull from the previous day’s exertion, perhaps an hour before good light. Eyes held closed as long as possible as other walkers of the Camino are heard nearby, rustling through bags, dressing, finding a lost whatever. Each morning starts the same. This fight to put off the inevitable. Putting off the effort to get up from the bunk, wriggling out of the sleeping bag and finding your backpack, digging around for those clothes that smell the least. Then grabbing toothbrush and toothpaste to seek out water and become at least a semblance of human, presentable and hygienic. Only a half hour has passed, it seems forever in slow motion, dressing, primping, repacking for the day, and worst of all, strapping on those dreaded trail shoes before leaving the albergue. Another day begins.

That doesn't sound too good, to a wanna be pilgrim doing her planning. I hope my natural love of mornings will pull my bum out of bed and help me get excited for the journey of discovery ahead. Please tell me your day gets better, or it might make more sense for me to donate my travel money to a good cause and just stay home.

 

[BrienC]

That doesn't sound too good, to a wanna be pilgrim doing her planning. I hope my natural love of mornings will pull my bum out of bed and help me get excited for the journey of discovery ahead. Please tell me your day gets better, or it might make more sense for me to donate my travel money to a good cause and just stay home.

It always gets better. Wait for it (this is only Part 2).

 

[Annapolis]

That doesn't sound too good, to a wanna be pilgrim doing her planning. I hope my natural love of mornings will pull my bum out of bed and help me get excited for the journey of discovery ahead. Please tell me your day gets better, or it might make more sense for me to donate my travel money to a good cause and just stay home.

Words are not enough to describe the beauty of the Camino, you will not regret it. The days get better.