I thought it would be fun to share some things that you might not know about this journey. At least these are some things that have been interesting to me!

We walk and talk with all kinds of people, and sometimes we walk alone. The Camino has proven to draw a very diverse crowd. You might think it would draw a particular type of person, but reflective of reality, ALL types of people choose to do this pilgrimage for ALL types of reasons. We have come across old and young, a variety of religions, non-religious folks, gay and straight people, professionals and unemployed, tour groups and loners, as well as a representation of many different countries. Reasons to walk El Camino span everything from finding peace after a loss, to accomplishing something challenging during retirement, to acquiring atonement for sins, finding oneself, and more. Fitness levels are not a thing to be judged. In fact, so far I have counted 18 men with white hair who “sail” past me on the Camino (it’s a game I’m playing). I guess that probably says more about my fitness level 😂 than theirs. Bob in the below pic is 81 and retired military. He also moved past us after visiting for awhile.

Mealtimes aren’t normal for me. Lunch is 2-3ish and dinner isn’t until 7:30 or 8pm. Also, don’t think about shopping for toothpaste or anything else when you arrive to town mid afternoon, because everything is closed due to siesta. Remember learning about that in Geography? It’s a thing, and it’s been inconvenient on a regular basis 😂.

Sleeping in a big room with all your pilgrim friends, all genders, is very normal. Yes, you’ll be serenaded by snores, tossing and turning, coughs, etc.; but you’ll be so tired that you will get some sleep.

Sometimes there are all gender bathrooms, and it’s not even a “thing.”They aren’t called “all gender.” The Albergue we’re I’m currently staying is not the first where I have been “doing my business” in a stall or taking a shower in a stall next to a person of a different gender. It’s very normal, and it would be weird for it to make me uncomfortable. So it doesn’t 😊. Occasionally a door doesn’t even get shut 😂.

The pharmacists here seem more like nurse practitioners. I expect our pharmacists in the U.S. are as capable, but the pharmacies here are purely focused on meeting medical needs. You can be sure that if you’re suffering from an ailment and you have an interpreter (or Google translate), you will leave with items meant to fix you! (On a side note, my blisters are healing well, thanks to their “miracle ointment.”) However, don’t expect to find a snack to hold you over until 8pm dinner, because you’ll be disappointed. It’s not CVS!

This pilgrimage has been a practice for many “Peregrinos” for over a thousand years. Many of the towns we walk through are very small and likely would have no livelihood without El Camino de Santiago. The Spanish people are very kind and gracious to us now, as they have been for centuries. For example, this bridge was commissioned by a queen 1100 years ago for the pilgrims to have an easy path in and out of the city.

Another type of encouragement that we get from the locals is the occasional “beep beep beep” of a horn as they drive by! It is a treat on a hard day, knowing they are cheering us on. Also, there is the occasional food truck with bananas, boiled eggs, and even fresh orange juice! It is so awesome to round a bend and encounter one of these food trucks!

Meals are cheap here, especially when purchasing the “menu of the day!” Tonight I paid 12 euro, which equals close to $12. I got a bowl of pumpkin soup, delicious bread, chicken, salad, vanilla pudding, and wine! It will be tough returning to the U.S. prices for restaurant food!

I hope these curiosities have been of interest. They don’t include all the new things I’ve encountered but are several things that I have thought unique to this experience.

Our big news for today is we passed the halfway mark today!! We have traversed over 250 miles of the Camino!! There was something that felt really great about being over halfway done. And Chris comes tomorrow to experience a few days with me! Lance joined us yesterday, and will be here for a week. It’s great to break up the trip with some favorite visitors!

Until next time, Buen Camino!