5 days to go. . .
so we have finished 7 days of walking! we have crossed two mountain ranges – the mountains of leon and the mountains of galicia- not bad for a couple of non-hiking girls. we are now regulars on the camino and have developed our own pilgrim´s routine. it goes like this:
up at 5:30 – eat a zone bar, drink lots of water, apply various balms and medical aids, and depart in the dark.
the last few days in the mountains have been freezing and all we have are favorite tees from the gap!
we are not as prepared as everyone else with long pants and a fleece, but soon we are boiling anyway.
6:00- 10:00 walking, walking, walking. then we take our mid-morning break for granola and fruit.
10:07- around 1p.m. – continue walking to our destination – usually about 25-30 kilometers a day. the terrain has been gorgeous – sorry we can´t upload pictures. a lot of hills and rocky ground to cover – the last town we stopped in was at the top of a 1400 km. mountain.
afternoon at the albergue: we jump in the shower to hope to get some hot water, wash our filthy clothes in the sink and hang on the line if there is one. then it is a rest/nap for about an hour where we try to share earbuds to the only mp3 player we have. if the beds are situated just right the music gets through.
early evening: if the town is big enough for a store we buy some food for dinner, usually pasta, bread, cheese, tomatoes, etc. if there is no store we try a local restaurant and ask for macaroni. we have learned that it is the only safe item to order as the meat is a bit scary.
later evening: if another activity is available like retrieving our dry clothes or popping blisters we do that before bed which is usually around 8 p.m.
sounds like a fun day, huh? actually we have met a lot of cool people who we have affectionately given nicknames like german guy, map guy, sisters from canada, grandma and girl from train, teachers from north carolina, retired french couples (who by the way always pass us up on the trail) etc. we have shared many stories and laughs with fellow pilgrims and we are really glad to be on the camino.
hope all is going well back in the states – we´re keeping spain in line over here!
Tags: , Travel
July 10th, 2005 at 12:47 pm
“Oh, hi!” Oh darn, it looks like you guys only got my 2nd comment- U probably had no idea what that meant. I sent a long reply and then added another comment and it looks like you only got the other comment. Oh well. It sounds like you guys are having fun despite the fact it looks like mild-moderate torture. I am looking forward for you guys to come back to keep me out of trouble…or at least so I can have some partners in crime. 🙂 I bet you have a lot of great stories! Oh, fun! Maybe we should all go for pedicures when you get back. It sounds like you’ll need some good foot therapy. I can’t remember what I said in the last reply other than I love my MAPS t-shirt and that I missed you guys.
July 10th, 2005 at 12:48 pm
“Oh, hi!” Oh darn, it looks like you guys only got my 2nd comment- U probably had no idea what that meant. I sent a long reply and then added another comment and it looks like you only got the other comment. Oh well. It sounds like you guys are having fun despite the fact it looks like mild-moderate torture. I am looking forward for you guys to come back to keep me out of trouble…or at least so I can have some partners in crime. I bet you have a lot of great stories! Oh, fun! Maybe we should all go for pedicures when you get back. It sounds like you’ll need some good foot therapy. I can’t remember what I said in the last reply other than I love my MAPS t-shirt and that I missed you guys.
July 12th, 2005 at 1:09 am
okay,you aremuch more hard core then I ever imagined! Next timeyou have to make sure there is a massage therapist, pedicurist, aromatherapy expert and more, rock on sister and judy! Glad to here from you and enjoy every moment. love, jo