Top Ten Things We Thought We Knew about Walking the Camino

A hot one today- we travelled about 20 kilomters in 30 degree temperatures, mainly along roads or roads under construction. We´re staying at a delightful little place between Belorado and Najera. It has just five of us staying here and we had a communal meal together.

We thought we´d give you the ten top things we have learned:

1. The walk is fairly flat. Hah! Up, down, around, then up and down again.

2. People are always sensitive to the needs of others. Hah! Tell that to the two women who tried to kill Jim in Najera with the obnoxious toxic linament they rubbed on their legs just before they closed the alburgue window and retired for the night.

3. We all believe in lining up. Hah! Men and women bowl their way to the front of the line, cut you off, and then order 15 different items while all you want to do is pay your bill.

4. Everyone tips for good service, don´t they? Hah! Don´t try this in Spain, they have no idea what you are doing. Tips are included in the bill as a tax.

5. When the instructions say, do not leave the alburgue before 6 a.m., people will follw them. Hah! People get up at and start packing at 4:45 a.m. using their high beam flashlights while loudly whispering in some guttural European language so as not to disturb (hah!) those of us who are by now fully awake.

6. We are in Spain, so everyone will at least try to speak some Spanish, right? Hah! Germans expect everyone to understand German, the French expect the same. We are freaks as we both try to speak and understand Spanish.

7. You can pick your own fruit at the local market. Hah! Do not touch the fruit. No, no! You tell the fruit lady how many oranges you want, she picks them, weighs them, wraps them, and then.....you pay for them. Only then is fruit touching invoked.

8. Vegetables and fruit are plentiful and in abundance. Hah! The potato is Spain´s national vegetable followed by the olive. White aspargus is really exotic and we have observed Spaniards eating them. Wendy has been served meat every day she has been here, despite being a vegetarian. Iceberg lettuce has become a new candy for her!

9. Spanish people are incredibly kind, understanding and helpful. No hah here. They are just that. They don´t even laugh at our Spanish (at least until we leave).

10. People on the Camino are incredibly interesting and come from all walks of life and experiences. Again, no hah. Every day is an opportunity to meet someone new, interesting, and enjoying the experience of walking, whether it is for two weeks, a month, six months, or more.