Reflections and Observations

• September 21, 2014
• Antoinette Bodeau
• Activities

Day three: Larrasoaña-Cizur Menor 21 km

Today was a shorter day but somehow felt long. My energy was a little low and the city of Pamplona felt way too chaotic after the small quaint villages that we stayed in and passed through. Even the Qigong we did in the park didn’t pick up my energy. I was happy to only be going 21 kilometers.

We met up with “The Three Musketeers” again in Pamplona and walked the 5 km into Cizur Menor.  We are staying in a great place with a great general courtyard and lovely garden. I did some yoga in the garden and my body is very thankful!

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I am no expert after a mere three days but I will tell you what I have observed and reflected upon.  Carrying a twenty-one pound pack, 6 to 8 hours a day is probably too much weight for me, but I honestly can’t figure out what I can do without.  That said, I keep misplacing, leaving and losing things, so perhaps by the end I may be down to the desired weight.  I also think it may be a lesson in letting go, and realizing how little I really do need.

I’ve started getting the routine down, and the unspoken book of guidelines for Pilgrims on the Camino are as follows (my view anyway):

• Wake up at the crack of dawn and get moving. This means jumping into your clothes, packing your bag and start walking.
• Walk 2-3 kilometers and then stop for tea, coffee and breakfast.
• Having consulted your “Camino guidebook”, you know the destination you are headed for (The favorite appears to be one by John Brierley since every second person has it and we just refer to it as “JB”).
• Get to your destination between 2 and 3pm to ensure a bed for the night.
• Promptly take a shower and wash your clothes so that they will dry before the next morning.
• Walk into town and book in for a Pilgrim’s meal or see if the local grocery store has anything worth eating (doubtful in most cases).
• Get your pack organized and go to bed.
• Get up and do it all over again!

Don’t get me wrong; no two days are the same and it has been a wonderful experience so far. What I realized is that the connections I made early on seem to be the people I continue on with. Obviously this changes depending on people’s paces and schedules. I am enjoying my new Camino family. It will be interesting to see where we all end up…meaning who will continue to travel together and what other connection will be made.The people Christine and I have met are great! We have nicknames for a lot of them. There is Gerard, the lucky Irishman. He is animated, naturally funny, charismatic and puts a smile on my face every time I see him. “The Three Musketeers” are David from Belfast, Nick from England and Bob (Mr. Cliff Bar) from Connecticut. The last two days we have hiked together and they are fun to be around and make me laugh. I really like Doreen from Holland. She has been a massage therapist for about 30 years (she can’t be all bad!) and has a sweet and gentle nature. Gerard has nicknamed me and Christine “Thelma and Louise”…with a happy ending (meaning we don’t drive off the cliff at the end)

Day four: Cizur Menor to Cirauqui. 27 km

The group was the Three Musketeers, The Lucky Irishman and Doreen. We had an great day with lots of laughs and a long lunch stop in Obanos. It did get very hot going up the last hill and we were happy to arrive at our Albergue for the night. I am sore but have no major complaints. I can’t wait for dinner and then bed!