Post Camino +1

We went for tapas and G&T last night, and almost everyone from the starting day was there. It feels like a family get together.

So now, let me do the superficial things to start with and then move to feelings etc a little later…

1. Best equipment to take from those who have done it….

pack – mostly saw Ospray 44, but Macpac is good too. I had the 35ltr and is excellent

shoes – north face, Columbia are both recommended. But the only thing here is get a pair you love. And I mean love. Like your pack they become your best friends for the journey…..they have to fit. I gave mine to the Camino at the end.

jacket – has to be waterproof

poncho – bought one half way through and it was great, recommend take next time.

socks – take wool socks x 4

hat – try not to lose any especially 3 of they they are about 20€ each so better not to lose them. Wide brimmed is good.

accommodation – this depends on the kind of Camino experience you want. I did the cheap Albergue thing the first week and then after that I was much happier in hotels or pensions in a private room. Must be my age or just the fact that I have always thought that camping was like staying in a 4 star hotel….

poles – I used 2 but got the hang of only one when I finally got my swagger

sending your pack on to the next town – this is also personal, but I did it to nurse my knee which ultimately got me to the end. It’s about 6€ each bag each leg……godsend if you need to do it.

2. Sending things to Santiago….I sent 3 things, one extra case from St Jean, one with some extra stuff I didn’t need from Navarette to the hotel in Santiago and then Kate’s bag from Leon. My bag cost 70€, Kate’s cost 50€ and the package cost 8€. So when I finished I needed to get these things. The 2 bags were there, so all good. The parcel was sent to the hotel but they said they didn’t have it. It went to the post office and they said they didn’t have it and it was at the hotel. I tried 3 times at the hotel for the package and finally tried after a skinful at about midnight with the night reception guy. I asked again and said it looked just like that one behind the desk with so,e other deliveries. And when I held the package would you beleive it, it was mine. This was the reaction when I found it…..

Ultimately keep it light, keep it really light….

3. Your body……

bed bugs – they are real and I have the scares to prove it. Try to avoid them if possible….

knee, blisters, aches and pains….I found Ibuprofen 600 mg. OMG this is unreal and I think I will have to go to rehab when I get back……I love it…..

4. People along the way – I met so many wonderful people all going in the same direction, doing the same thing. The same goal, all encouraging each other on. You find those you like and spend time with them. You go either faster or slower from those you wish to leave. It’s all ok. It’s like life. You hang with those you like. And like you. But you do learn to become very accepting of everyone and their ways……you ask questions and learn about people as they walk past or you walk past them. It’s a marvelous microcosm of life at a time. You can hear about someone’s life in 30 mins. You get very good at telling people your story quickly. You are…Andy from Australia, not the so and so at this company doing this thing or that. There are fewer labels and a simpler way of life. It is good for the soul. Here are a few of the characters Kate and I met…..

Arnaldo Loco – really had a connection with you. Your house is my house…..

Leo – surrogate son, Sam couldn’t come so I found someone else. Really great young man.

Mike Segway – what a Canadian machine. He has his own vineyard and walks in the mountains. Ripping guy.

Michelle – and her son Sam. Wonderful and peaceful person. She left and found some of herself along the way. Go in peace mate.

Sharon and Jan – walking and looking for something. Hope you found the answer girls, I know you had a ton of fun along the Way.

Brenda from Brisbane what a powerhouse. Well done mate.

Brian and Mai Mai, from Arizona, stayed in all the same places. Lovely people and I wanted to ask if he was GM….

Peter and Eric, the Danish brothers doing it in sections, really enjoyed your company for the brief time it was.

the Irish guys – Donal, Dara and Garnet – lovely to meet you boys and I hope we meet up with the Fulchers when in Ireland next……

Liz Thomas from Nottingham. I walked with her for about 4 days. Great fun. Would love to see her again….

Ashley Wright – slow and meditated along the way. Lost her about half way. If You want to get married in Costa Rica I will call her to help arrange it.

Craig Warren – lost you mate but hope you all got there in one piece. It was a blister fest for a while there

Greg and Sharon – you added so much to my journey and great friends who carried me. Thanks so much

Andy and Sally – great to have you for the last 2 days. Your photos are special. Thanks so much for all your encouragement. It was a massive help.

4. You…. It’s a terribly personal journey. You spend a lot of time on your own. You walk alone mainly and get a lot of time to think. You walk at your own speed. That’s vital to understand early on. It’s ok to move faster or slower. It’s too hard to not walk at your pace. Your body will let you know if you are too slow or too fast. As my knee did to me. I learnt the Camino lesson, it’s your Camino and you HAVE to do it your way. How and when you walk, where you stay, what you carry, what you eat and drink and when. It’s completely unreal. It allows and helps you to be you all the time. Yeah….

5. Spiritually – it’s hard not to be open to the spiritual elements of the trip. You visit a lot of churches, you can take communion if you wish, there’s a cross at every turn and St James and Christ everywhere. The services, it’s all in Catholic Spanish but it’s very similar to C of E. You can say the Lords Prayer if you remember it from school and you can accept it or not. But it’s very hard to ignore or avoid. I came to accept it quickly and live some of it. I met priests and believers and sat with locals in many churches. I went to a pilgrim masses and was blessed many many times. It was wonderful.

6. The Support – I can’t believe how much support I have received from everyone. Thank you all. I feel blessed. It was fun and it was hard. But if you have any sense that you might want to do all or part of it, it’s a must do. 5 weeks on the road. Just being you. Finding you and growing….a dream come true.

7. Kate’s journey. She loved it and wished she had done more. She is a walker and felt right at home. It was right down her alley. Now to find the next one. Thank you for all your love and support along the way. I absolutely needed it. Reminding me to think of the big picture and not the detail…..thank you. I love you. Couldn’t have done it without you. Xoxoxoxo

What did I learn about me…….I need a little more time to continue to reflect on it…..

Ultimately I think I would do it again…….