Supposed to be starting el camino tomorrow....

[Skylar Townsend]

So with just my luck I somehow injured my foot right before I left for Spain. I currently am in Barcelona and waiting to start until Tuesday now to give my foot some more rest. The swelling has gone down already by resting it for two days, and I have been able to be mobile, with a tad pain *nothing major*. Do you guys think that I should still start on Tuesday? I plan to start from Irun, is the camino extremely difficult in the beginning? I don't really have a time frame, I just am very ready to start this, but I'm also trying to be smart and not further injure myself.
Obviously I know nobody can be my doctor over the computer, I just am looking for some friendly advice/possible past experiences

Thank you and
Buen Camino To All

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Skylar! If you really don't have a time frame then I would wait until your foot is healed. Pharmacists in Spain are very well educated and may offer a professional opinion, I think that is where I would check first. You are about to really use your feet for more hours and with more weight than normal, I would not want to start knowing your foot is not functioning as well as normal.

Buen Camino!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Not only os the first day out of Irun the most difficult, but it is also remote making any kind of "rescue" or having a taxi collect you difficult. If you have the time, I would rest some more.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

There are worse places to be "stuck"! I have to agree with Anemone and Mike. Take a few more days, at least. It is easier to heal and then walk, than to worsen an injury--however slight--and suffer with it for the length of a Camino.

 

[intrepidtraveler]

I just completed the first day from Irun to San Sebastian - in torrential rain which can happen at any time on the coast. Hard enough with healthy feet, especially with mud and wet rocks. Like the others said, wait. Not only will your foot feel better but maybe the weather will improve.

 

[Skylar Townsend]

Well guys, I think you're right. I forgot my hiking shoes back in the states (I'm having all the luck ) and can't get them shipped out here because of certain restrictions.
All signs are pointing to keep it easy now. I'm trying not to lose faith and realize this is another challenge for El camino.
On the plus side, I explored Barcelona today, about 5 miles walking, and my foot felt pretty good. Should be good by next week, I hope.
Thanks for all of the advice, you have helped lift my spirits greatly.
Buen camino! Hope to see you soon!

 

[Skylar Townsend]

I just completed the first day from Irun to San Sebastian - in torrential rain which can happen at any time on the coast. Hard enough with healthy feet, especially with mud and wet rocks. Like the others said, wait. Not only will your foot feel better but maybe the weather will improve.

I definitely have been keeping an eye on the weather, happy you made it safe to San Sebastian!

 

[JohnMcM]

On the plus side, I explored Barcelona today, about 5 miles walking, and my foot felt pretty good. Should be good by next week,

Well, that sounds quite positive. Maybe the well proven trick of RICE (rest, ice, compression elevation) will set things right for you Skylar.

Perhaps, after your daily explorations for 2-3 hours?

Buen (rapid-healing) Camino

 

[Simon Thompson]

You could try splitting the Irun to San Sebastian stage into two, by stopping at Pasaje de San Juan (it's beautiful, btw). The descent into San Sebastian, I feel, would be best done without being tired and having a less than perfect foot...

 

[Skylar Townsend]

You could try splitting the Irun to San Sebastian stage into two, by stopping at Pasaje de San Juan (it's beautiful, btw). The descent into San Sebastian, I feel, would be best done without being tired and having a less than perfect foot...

That does sound like a good idea. I realized walking downhill is still quite painful so I'm thinking I still may need more time to rest.
I'm really trying to stay positive and not give up on this dream. I'm so thankful for you all and the wonderful people I'm meeting. Helping me stay positive when I'm losing a bit of faith. But everything happens for a reason, right?

 

[Simon Thompson]

It most certainly does....
Barcelona is a great place to be hanging out in - if you haven't been already, take a look at Tibidabo Hill - legend has it that it is there that Satan offered Christ the world, if He would bow down before him (thankfully he refused) - nowadays there's a great view, and a theme park, with rides from fin de siecle to modern, a worthy place to while the day away....
You could also read The Shadow Of The Wind, set in BCN (if you don't mind the extra weight in your pack), after Don Qixote, its the most translated Spanish novel, and is excellent.
Oh and you really ought to get that foot looked at - if only for peace of mind !

 

[Skylar Townsend]

It most certainly does....
Barcelona is a great place to be hanging out in - if you haven't been already, take a look at Tibidabo Hill - legend has it that it is there that Satan offered Christ the world, if He would bow down before him (thankfully he refused) - nowadays there's a great view, and a theme park, with rides from fin de siecle to modern, a worthy place to while the day away....
You could also read The Shadow Of The Wind, set in BCN (if you don't mind the extra weight in your pack), after Don Qixote, its the most translated Spanish novel, and is excellent.
Oh and you really ought to get that foot looked at - if only for peace of mind !

The bruising is finally gone, I'm sure it's fine, if it's not better in a few more days I might have to get it checked out. I went to Tibidabo the other day, such beautiful views! The bus didn't go all the way to the top so I didn't get to the amusement park. I'll definitely check that book out, it'll be nice to have something to do while resting my foot, thank you for the great suggestions!

 

[Heather Alice Dwyer]

I just completed the first day from Irun to San Sebastian - in torrential rain which can happen at any time on the coast. Hard enough with healthy feet, especially with mud and wet rocks. Like the others said, wait. Not only will your foot feel better but maybe the weather will improve.

I'm in Irun right now (Sunday eve, 21 May) . Anything you would have done differently in your first day out?

 

[intrepidtraveler]

The only thing I would have liked to do differently was take a few pictures but I didn't feel like stopping to dig my phone/camera out. So I guess my one suggestion would be keep your camera handy.

 

[poogeyejr]

Hi Skylar,

What did you finally decide? Did you start from Irun or further along the Camino?

Kathy

 

[Skylar Townsend]

Hi Skylar,

What did you finally decide? Did you start from Irun or further along the Camino?

Kathy

I decided to give myself more time to heal, which turned out to be a great decision, as my foot is still in the healing process. Did a lot of traveling in the south, I will be heading to Porto on Thursday to start the Camino portugues. Never thought I'd say that! It seems as if that's the smartest route to take, walking too much downhill is still a tad uncomfortable.
The amazing thing is that throughout this unexpected journey, I keep seeing yellow arrows and meeting new friends who have completed the camino recently. It has never left me, which has helped me to keep going and never lose faith.

Hope all is going well with everyone's journeys!

Buen camino
Bom caminho

 

[Mike Savage]

That is wonderful Skylar, I believe that you made the right decision. I hope you have a wonderful camino and enjoy Portugal and Spain.

Bom Caminho!

 

[HeidiL]

Sounds sensible. The Portugués from Porto is nice and flat - and the fish is very good...

 

[poogeyejr]

Have a wonderful time, and report back and let us know how it is going. For those of us stuck at a desk . . .

Bom caminho!

 

[Skylar Townsend]

Looks like I actually am starting the camino tomorrow! I can´t lie, I am feeling very nervous and so unprepared along the lines of accommodation and knowing the route. Del norte I had researched for almost a year, it has been hard to do that for the Portugues way, as I only have internet in the hostels I stay at, and let´s be honest, no way I can sit on a computer/my phone when I am visiting such beautiful places.
I have the main points marked on my map, and I guess the rest will be discovered along the way. Things up to this point have worked out unbelievably well, I just have to have faith that things will continue going that way.
I guess time will tell what will happen. I will keep you all posted as to how everything goes.

Bom caminho

 

[poogeyejr]

An adventure in trust. The Camino will provide . . .

 

[Anniesantiago]

Bom Caminho Peregrina!
Keep us informed on your progress!

 

[Skylar Townsend]

In a few days it'll be 2 months since I completed the camino Portugues!
Boy, time really does fly.

I learned so much along the way, and even made a little camino family. Actually went to Germany to stay with them towards the end of my travels.
Didn't have proper shoes and met someone the first day who had extra shoes and offered them to me, perfect fit.
Got lost MANY MANY times, but since I followed the coast, I just continued walking with the coast on my left and always found my way.
I never believed anyone about the cobblestone being so awful.....boy was I wrong.
Everybody on the Camino really does have a story, and I really enjoyed learning those stories. It's amazing the bonds that you come to have with people who you only spend a short time with.

There were so many experiences that I had, both good and some not so good, but even the not so good moments turned out to be exactly what needed to happen, and always ended positively.
This felt like the way I was supposed to do this time, but it didn't feel completely right for some reason, so I didn't go all the way to Fisterra. I'm saving that for once I actually complete the camino del norte.

I miss the camino, I miss Spain. I miss all of the wonderful people that I encountered. I'm SO happy my injury didn't keep me from completing the camino. It was different than I expected, but I wouldn't change one thing about it.

 

[nycwalking]

Congrats. Love hearing others overcoming stories.

 

[Mike Savage]

That is great. Congratulations Skylar!