So fortunately, I have been sleeping pretty well each night. Earplugs help a lot, as snoring and rustling of sleeping bags and whatnot is really distracting. I’m so tired each night that I think that just takes over and I become comotose for 7-8 hours (more sleep hours than I usually get at home!). Lights out at the albergues is 10pm, and then some people are up at getting ready at 6am, though we don’t have to be out the door till 8am. And as I have mentioned before, it’s not light until 8am! The interior lights usually get flicked on around 7am, no matter who is still in bed.
This morning I awoke feeling a bit lonely for the first time. I have felt a little lonely here and there, but it was a bit deeper today. It’s Sunday, a week since I left Boulder. 3 weeks of this wonderful experience left, and I don’t wish it to go by quickly at all, but today 3 weeks sounds long.
There is a necessary rhythm to walking the Camino, especially if you stay regularly in Albergues. Depending on how far/long you walk, you get in to a town, check in to an albergue, usually shower right away. Sometimes people do their laundry or go eat right away, depending on time. I usually shower then eat dinner if it’s late (after 6pm), or if I arrive earlier, like 4:30, I shower then lay on my bed and journal or look over the next day’s distance and destination possibilities. After dinner I try to connect to wifi, if available, and FaceTime or Skype with Lucas or my family, then blog if I have a good enough connection (the photos can get jammed up, if not). Brush teeth, lights out 10pm. 6-7am, wake up, stretch out sore body and feet, pack up, leave. Usually get coffee and/or breakfast on the way (or eat something cheap and easy from my pack like nuts and an apple).
The inital waking up, in the dark, feeling sore, hearing all the rustling of packing, and re-realizing all the miles to go…it’s exciting some days, and other days it can feel very heavy. Only one week in, I don’t have a lot of experience to be saying this, but today was my first day feeling pretty heavy.
After all the packing up, I walked outside and it was raining. Had to get under a ledge (albergue door was locked; I, of course, was one of last ones out), and undo my pack to get out my rain gear. Not feeling motivated, but nothing else to do! At least it was a light rain. It just made me feel lonelier, for some reason.
I walked about 25 minutes and found an inviting cafe that beckoned me in with its warm beverages and cozy atmosphere. I felt less lonely surrounded by cafe con leche and croissants (is that a red flag?! 😉 Actually, I just felt less lonely to be inside a warm place with others around who were in pleasant moods. Most stores were closed, as it was only 8:25am on a Sunday. I got out my map, re-visited my walking plans for the day, and had breakfast.
As I headed out again, it had almost stopped raining. The whole day today was grey, though. I ended up coming to terms with it and enjoying it. Variety is good. Mostly sunny and dry is such a blessing, when you’re walking every day, but some rain and some cloudy skies is a good change, and I think even the subdued mood I felt today was healthy.
I didn’t listen to any music today, and I walked mostly alone. Had many thoughts, pleasant, calm, and some deeper ones that I am working through. Arrived at my destination, a tiny town of only about 250; my guidebook saying that it “owes much of its continuing existence to the camino”. Of the few inhabitants, those I encountered were very friendly and accommodating. I had a nice Pilgrim’s meal at the one local restaurant, then walked across the street to a market that was still open around 8pm and bought some chocolate, nuts, a granola bar, and the two veggies they had (a bell pepper and a cucumber!) to have tomorrow.
I connected to wifi in the common room, which was a little noisy. I got to talk with Lucas, and with my brother Jay and uncle Rob, but the connections weren’t great. Still, it is amazing to me to be able to talk and even see people through FaceTime or Skype, over all these miles, and it is comforting.
This alberge was on the smaller side, and the rooms only had 2 beds in each – score!! Less snoring and rustling! I was even more lucky because my roommate was already dead asleep – didn’t move an inch while I was trying by best to quietly get into my sleeping bag, and she was a very quiet sleeper. It was a good day all-around- every feeling I had from lonely to wistful, to calm and peaceful, to tired and grateful.
