The end of a Camino is always a little unsettling. You have just spent the last few weeks simply walking. I generally walk for around 7 to 8 hours and frequently just drink water in that time and maybe have a light snack and some fruit. Then the first day after you get to SdC there is a good breakfast to eat and by the time you have finished you realise that ‘normally’ you would have already walked almost 10km. It feels strange to not be doing it. It is part of the reason why I like to have at least 1 full day in SdC to try to reset. I have spent the morning strolling around and getting the bits I want to take home. Had a wonderful light lunch of a variety of tapas and now enjoying a glass of white wine in the sunshine. The Camino is a strange experience- especially for those walking the first time. Often this will be the Frances and it will take 30 plus days to get here. You can see by the look on the faces of the pilgrims when they finally arrive the mix of strong emotions. It definitely gets to you. And for many the urge to repeat is strong! If you enjoy challenges, in every sense of the word, combined with day after day of ‘mindfulness’ then it is to be recommended. I have seen plenty of changes on the Camino since my first one 12 years ago. The Frances is much busier and better served. Other routes are also getting more popular. A few of my favourite places in SdC no longer exist, inc my favourite bar and favourite deli. On the plus side most Spanish cities, towns and villages are now much cleaner and in fact much better than those in U.K. In addition, the Spanish places are now much more pedestrian friendly. Vehicles, and bikes, absolutely stop at pedestrian crossings and they are across most roads. At home it is not even safe to be on the pedestrian crossing in my village.
Is this my last one? Possibly, it’s harder to find routes that avoid all or most of the Frances. Moreover, on the less walked routes it seems even harder to find a decent meal on the way. In fact the food quality and just as importantly, the wine quality has declined. I have had some outstanding, but often, simple meals on my Caminos but these were very few this time. I still love the physical and mental challenge and find I walk as far each day as I have ever had. The people you meet, both peregrinos and locals are as great as ever so who knows what will happen in the future. Ultreia!
P.S. I think we need and induction course for first time peregrinos. It should inc how to get up in an Albergue in the morning without making a noise or using a torch. How to let your eyes adjust to low light levels for those early morning starts - you really do not need a torch, especially when there is a full moon and street lights! In addition, if you really absolutely have to use sticks to walk (never understood why as I learnt to walk without aids at quite an early age) then please use rubber tips. Lastly, you phone does have a microphone and amplifier so there is no need to shout at it whilst holding is an arms length from you ears. Buen Camino.
