back home, safe and maybe a little sounder of mind (I think)

[Jim Damico]

Hola todo perigrinos,

Just got back late last night after a long couple of days of train, bus and
airplane travel.  First, I'd like to thank everyone on the listserv for all
their help and insight as I prepared for my Camino.  Just thought I'd say a
few words about the trip for what it's worth.

1) I had a heavy backpack = 17kg (37lbs)
2) I walked 900 km in sandals
3) I didn't take any days off
4) I had a blast!!!!

Actually had a hospitalero outside of Burgos tell me that I'd never make it
to Santiago with the weight I was carrying.  For me, I used everything I
carried.  Because of weather and the time of year (started 9/13 finished
10/18) I had plenty of wet weather gear and stuff for the cold too.  And
used all of it at one point on another.  I even had a large lightweight
umbrella that quite a few perigrinos were envious of on during a few nasty
24-hour rain storms.  Probably the only thing I could have done without was
my 2-liter water bottle, using a small water bottle instead.  Because of all
the fuentes (never heard of anyone having any stomach problems from the
water the entire way), I could have carried less and just drunk more when
taking a rest in a pueblo.  And I was the only perigrino I met that carried
Linda's wonderful book the whole way to Santiago (a few brought it, but the
books found good places on the bookshelves of the early refugios).

I just love my Chaco Sandals.  They have a vibram sole and I wore them first
day out from St Jean-Pied-de-Port, France.  I guess I have pretty strong
ankles.  I found the biggest problem wasn't ankle support (because of the
rocks) but just the very hard surfaces we were walking on.  Sort of like
walking on a broken concrete sidewalk.  For those using boots, get a good
cushion insole or something with a lot of cushion in the heel.  In 35 days
of walking, I put my boots on 2 days but still liked the sandals better.
Only got one blister and I think it was because the sandals were too tight.
After meeting a girl walking in Birkenstocks, I loosened mine up a bit and
never had any problems.  Got great tan lines too <grin>

People for me was the best part of the Camino.  I met folks from over a
dozen countries.  I sort of was adopted by a group of Spaniards from
Pamplona to Burgos, who spoke no English and I speak very little Spanish.
But we got along great.  And they seemed to know all the great cheap places
to eat.  But after staying with some friends in Burgos, I never saw any of
them again (they were walking faster and longer mileage because of limited
time available).  So, after meeting more pilgrims, I just went with the
flow.  I didn't necessarily walk with them during the day, but we always
seemed at the same refugio at night.  So many people were in some sort of
transition (between jobs, relationships, life...) that the discussions every
night were great therapy.  And I became very close to a lot of them.  I know
now that I have a few more long-term friends.

Spain was wonderful, the people were wonderful, the countryside was
wonderful, the food was wonderful, the churches were wonderful.  Well, you
get the idea.  I know in a week or two (maybe already now) I will wish I was
back there on the Camino.  Definitely a special kind of freedom.

My recommendations for future perigrinos:
- Don't worry so much about stuff.  It will all work out. The Spanish are
very laid back, and it was refreshing change from 'fast paced America'.
- If you can, speak at least two languages very well.  If you can't carry on
a conversation in Spanish that's OK because their are plenty of other
languages perigrinos speak, mostly French and German.  I took a month of
Spanish lessons in Spain in August which helped me do things like shop, etc,
but I really felt left out of many a conversation because I could only speak
English fluently.  Most Europeans I met could speak at least 3 languages if
not more.
- This started out as just a 'different way to see Spain' for me, but ended
up very spiritual.  Enjoy every moment, every person you met, every village
you walk through, every vista you see, no matter how insignificant it seems.
If things are boring, it just might be that your mind is not letting things
in.  It's what makes the Camino different from just a hike.

Vale, enough said.  Again, thanks for everyone's help and encouragement.

Jim Damico of Kansas City, MO
www.WanderingTheWorld.com
hiking, biking & beyond...

somewhereawanderingtheworld.com
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