I did the camino in May!

[Susan de Veer]

My husband and I returned from Santiago on June 26. We began the Camino in Piedrafita mid-June and had a similar experience with illness and foot problems.  There must have been a virus going around the refugios as several pilgrims reported getting sick with spiking fever and stomach upsets.  Both my husband and myself experienced this, though gratefully, at the end of our trek.

Regarding blisters and foot problems, I carefully read every message on the list for months before our departure about care of the feet in order to avoid blisters. We also prepared by walking with our packs and making sure that our shoes were well broken in.  On day 3, I damaged my first toenail and on day 4 I seriously damaged my second large toenail (needing to have it surgically removed when I got home).  My husband experienced a significant number of blisters and, at one point, was treated at the Red Cross in Portomarin.

To remedy such foot problems the next time, I would pay more attention to my feet the moment I feel any pain or burning; loosen my shoelaces or switch to sandals as my feet swell from heat and walking; grease the toes with vasoline on day 1--before blisters occur; and stock up with Compeeds of various sizes before taking one step on the Camino.  I also think that the toebox of my shoes were not roomy enough to accommodate the swelling of my feet after walking up and down hill  for several hours.  Blisters may not be avoided altogether (though I did not have any--only damaged toenails), but correctly fitting shoes for sustained walking on uneven terrain is essential.  We learned too late to be religious about our feet on the Camino.  All ended well, as of course, we made it to Santiago, but the Camino would have been more enjoyable without some of the unnecessary foot pain.

I will also make sure that my medical pack has several needles that can be sterilized to pierce and drain blisters, or super-heated to pierce a bruised toenail to relieve the pressure of the blood-blister underneath.  This small piece of equipment may seem elemental, but I honestly didn't think of it because I was naive enough to think that we were  not going to get blisters!

My husband and I still had a wonderful time on the Camino and met wonderful people. The crowds in mid-June were not too great that we were shut out of the refugios, and often we walked for long stretches alone in the countryside.  It was a great experience and a relief to see the twin spires of the Cathedral!  I can't wait to return to Santiago.

Susan Long <slongyahaYAHOO.COM> wrote:
I and two friends did the camino starting from Ponferrada (about 200 km)
the last two weeks of May. I have plenty to report! The biggest thing
that surprised us was the blisters - serious, serious blisters, although
we did not get infections or blisters under the toenails like some
people did! We had trained agressively beforehand with our boots and our
packs, but we are flatlanders (we live in Houston), and our feet were
not prepared for the hills, especially the descents. So I have plenty of
advice about blisters.

I also came down with some kind of virus for two days - throwing up,
body aches - that took me out of commission for a while. I don't think
it was the food or water, but some kind of bug.

Also, it was getting very crowded on the camino especially the last week
of May. We were having trouble finding places at the albergues.
Eventually we made a practice of calling ahead every night to find a bed
in a hostal or casa rural so that we would be assured of having a spot
and wouldn't have to rush to get where we were going early. The army was
going to start putting up tents at key locations so that they would be
able to accommodate all the pilgrims, so perhaps now it's a different
story.

The camino was a joy - the Spanish people were so hospitable and
friendly, and the pilgrims were wonderful as well. It is a testimony to
the basic goodness of humanity that people who have painful feet,
haven't had a good shower for days, perhaps sleeping on the floor, etc.,
can be so friendly and generous among themselves. There were also
spiritual lessons every step of the way.

And the wine was cheap and delicious!


Susan Long
slongyahayahoo.com


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