In the Beginning
Hello to the family and three other readers. Josh here checking in from Spain to give a quick update on our Camino adventures to date...
Note: I wrote this a few days into the Camino and my experience has obviously grown. Sara did a great job capturing some of our challenges in the previous post.
We started in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France in cold, wet weather. The first day of our 800 km walk across Spain was set to begin. We read/were told that the first day would be the most difficult and four days into the trip this was definitely the case. We had over a 1,000 meter climb up the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains over the course of 27 km. It would be tough in any situation however being the first day on the Camino and carrying everything we needed for a month on our backs made it that much more challenging. Furthermore, our packs were way too heavy; the books indicated you should only carry 10% of your weight and we were almost double that.
First lesson learned on the Camino: every ounce matters and you quickly learn what you can live with and what you can live without. Turns out you really don't need that much.
Leading up to this adventure, I really had no idea what it was going to be like. Being younger by decades and in better shape by multiples than the average Pilgrim coupled with (over)confidence in our abilities, I assumed this would be "walk in the park". I was drastically mistaken. It was tough and at times I was questioning my sanity for even attempting this...and it was day one of at least 30. I had to dig deep and ask myself what I was made of...was I going to quit or push forward? With burst of energy Sara and I made our way up the mountain. It was such an incredible sense of relief and accomplishment when we reached Roncesvalles. We checked our tired, achy, wet bodies into the albergue (Camino hostels), stuffed our wet shoes with newspaper and then had one of the best showers of my life.
After cleaning up we joined a long table and enjoyed our first pilgrams dinner with other people on the path. We had a choice of two restaurants...the first served fish and chips and the second served chips and fish. For those that know me, you can appreciate how much fun we had sitting at dinner and talking to so many different people from all over... an incredible aspect of the Camino. We have met so many amazing and interesting people! They say if you don't meet a friend for life on the Camino you will have to do it again. I already have friends for life all over the world, so no need to do the Camino again for that reason, however we might. It's that awesome. We put in our ear plugs and got some sleep after a great opening day.
Picking up the pace so I don't lose everyone, days 2 through 4 have also been kick ass. Along The Way we walked into a wedding in Zubri, participated in a crazy parade in Pamplona and saw people running a 10k (seems like such a short distance all of the sudden). Spain is breathtakingly beautiful and all of the locals are supportive of the pilgrims. Four days in and I already recommend everyone consider this or something similar at least once in your life. It has been great for me and Sara as we really are learning so much about ourselves and each other. We have had some rough patches but overall there is nobody I would rather be doing this with and our relationship grows stronger with each and every step.
People along the path often ask why are you doing the Camino...there are so many different personal reasons but everyone seems to be looking inside themselves and that is a very useful exercise. It really is challenging, beautiful and special. I am so excited for the next 30 days.
Peace and love
Note: I wrote this a few days into the Camino and my experience has obviously grown. Sara did a great job capturing some of our challenges in the previous post.
We started in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France in cold, wet weather. The first day of our 800 km walk across Spain was set to begin. We read/were told that the first day would be the most difficult and four days into the trip this was definitely the case. We had over a 1,000 meter climb up the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains over the course of 27 km. It would be tough in any situation however being the first day on the Camino and carrying everything we needed for a month on our backs made it that much more challenging. Furthermore, our packs were way too heavy; the books indicated you should only carry 10% of your weight and we were almost double that.
First lesson learned on the Camino: every ounce matters and you quickly learn what you can live with and what you can live without. Turns out you really don't need that much.
Leading up to this adventure, I really had no idea what it was going to be like. Being younger by decades and in better shape by multiples than the average Pilgrim coupled with (over)confidence in our abilities, I assumed this would be "walk in the park". I was drastically mistaken. It was tough and at times I was questioning my sanity for even attempting this...and it was day one of at least 30. I had to dig deep and ask myself what I was made of...was I going to quit or push forward? With burst of energy Sara and I made our way up the mountain. It was such an incredible sense of relief and accomplishment when we reached Roncesvalles. We checked our tired, achy, wet bodies into the albergue (Camino hostels), stuffed our wet shoes with newspaper and then had one of the best showers of my life.
After cleaning up we joined a long table and enjoyed our first pilgrams dinner with other people on the path. We had a choice of two restaurants...the first served fish and chips and the second served chips and fish. For those that know me, you can appreciate how much fun we had sitting at dinner and talking to so many different people from all over... an incredible aspect of the Camino. We have met so many amazing and interesting people! They say if you don't meet a friend for life on the Camino you will have to do it again. I already have friends for life all over the world, so no need to do the Camino again for that reason, however we might. It's that awesome. We put in our ear plugs and got some sleep after a great opening day.
Picking up the pace so I don't lose everyone, days 2 through 4 have also been kick ass. Along The Way we walked into a wedding in Zubri, participated in a crazy parade in Pamplona and saw people running a 10k (seems like such a short distance all of the sudden). Spain is breathtakingly beautiful and all of the locals are supportive of the pilgrims. Four days in and I already recommend everyone consider this or something similar at least once in your life. It has been great for me and Sara as we really are learning so much about ourselves and each other. We have had some rough patches but overall there is nobody I would rather be doing this with and our relationship grows stronger with each and every step.
People along the path often ask why are you doing the Camino...there are so many different personal reasons but everyone seems to be looking inside themselves and that is a very useful exercise. It really is challenging, beautiful and special. I am so excited for the next 30 days.
Peace and love
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