It’s hard to believe I’ve been home for almost two months now. Many tears shed, much reminiscing, (so many great memories) and ruminating; and asking questions that may never have answers.

I’ve had enough time to get past the why’s and feeling sad, and though I still have a fair amount of recovery time and getting strong again ahead of me, I am looking forward. But in looking forward, I am also looking back. What did I learn? What will I do different next time? What worked and what didn’t?

So what did I learn in the one week I spent on the Camino. It’s hard!  Especially in 90-100 degree heat. Obviously, we were sweating a lot; and with an 18 lb backpack, it felt like a perpetual hot flash. And also, obviously, we needed to drink a lot of water – which isn’t so enjoyable when the water is about the same temperature as the air. My legs ached every day, despite the fact that I’d walked five miles a day for the past eight years. Maybe they eventually would have acclimated to the extra miles per day. I plan to find out. And either way, it won’t stop me. Only a broken elbow can do that. But not for long! 😊

I was lucky in the blister department – not a single one on my toes.  Only a tiny one on my heel – which I attributed to my shoelaces being a little loose.  Once I tightened them up a tad, the blister began to heal. I absolutely love the shoes – Altra Lone Peak’s – and will definitely continue using them.  

I also loved my Deuter backpack. I’ve had it for a number of years – and used it backpacking many times; with much more weight than I was carrying on the Camino.  It’s very comfortable, roomy enough that I don’t have to jam everything in and has great organization. The only drawback is it weighs almost 4 lbs empty. When I got back, I began searching for a lighter weight pack, but the best I can do for a framed one, is only a pound less and that’s not worth spending another $200, so I’ll just take a bit less when we go back. 

Though I was able to communicate easily with most everyone – because a lot of people speak English – I need to learn more Spanish! I’d been learning via an online site for at least 4+ months before we left, but found it wasn’t enough. So will continue with that – and now I have at least 7 months to learn more. Hoping my brain will retain it once I get back there. Maybe my friend Mary will practice with me. 😉

I experienced a whole range of emotions on a daily basis. So many ‘pinch me’ moments. There is SO MUCH to absorb. The landscape, the people, the history – all the quaint little villages with decades or centuries old buildings and tiny streets.  I feel like I walked through some of them in a dream and have a hard time remembering all the little details. Because much of the time we were hurrying, trying to beat the heat; or we were talking with fellow pilgrims. Which in itself was so rewarding and fun.

We made some amazing friends. Matti, the tall Swede, pensive, with his subtle humor; Onno, sweet, sensitive and caring; Marie-Helene, a lovely, kind lady from France who loves to wear pink; Alejandro, respectful and charming; George, very thoughtful (he gave us each a bracelet the night before we left); Benedicte and Frederick, a lovely couple from Belgium; both doctors and so helpful. And others who will be in our hearts and memories. We loved walking with and/or meeting up with them for breakfast, mid-morning snack or at the end of the day to share a drink or a meal and our day with.

Yet, as Cindy and I have already discussed, we feel now that we need to slow down. Take more photos (if you can believe that), pay more attention to the amazing history and architecture and local people. While also meeting all the wonderful people that choose to walk the Way but not trying to keep up with their pace.

Sooo… the return to finish. Spring 2023.  We first thought to start over from the beginning in St John. But ultimately, we decided to continue from the closest town to where we left off – Viana. (I don’t plan to return to the ‘scene of the crime’!) And this time, rather than stopping in Santiago, we plan to walk all the way to Finistere (“the end of the earth”).

Oh yeah, I also learned to ALWAYS use my poles and to look where I step! 

Until next year… 👋

“Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.”

Sigmund Freud