Reality check in Logrono, Spain - Sept 16
We had a nice down day in Logrono yesterday and this morning Rich, Olga and Marta left to walk 18+ miles to our next stop, Najera. There is no way I could keep up with the pace that is necessary to walk 18 miles and get to the destination before being completely fried by the sun. So, here I am at a cafe having a cafe con leche and contemplating my life choices. I will take a bus this afternoon. Which means I can do some more exploring
I thought today would be a good day to tell you all about some of the realities of doing Camino that seem to get glossed over in the thousands of youtube videos and blogs that romanticize the whole experience.
Truth #1: You will meet some lovely people BUT you will also encounter lots of people who seem to despise pilgrims and/or outsiders. On some days the latter outweighs the former and can really break your heart.
Truth #2: Carrying your stuff and living out of bags SUCKS. This experience has given me more insight into the daily struggles the unhoused must face. It is so hard to keep track of everything and just the physical act of carrying things is difficult.
Truth #3: The Camino apps are great for planning and getting an idea of how far your destination town is, however, it does not take into account where your accommodations are and getting to the actual Camino route. Some times this can add 3-5 additional miles which feels like a million when you have 18 miles ahead of or behind you.
Truth #4: if you have brown or black skin you will feel “othered”. In the last 4 days I have been referred to as a “black girl” and “romani”. And clearly both times they were not meant to be compliments. This is my 4th trip to Spain and I did not have these experiences on the previous 3 trips Except for once when someone asked if I was a Romani.
I think the biggest truth of this Camino for me is that the life changing part of it isn’t going to magically happen. You will have good experiences, bad experiences but mostly mundane, not particularly noteworthy experiences just like we do in normal life.
Off to explore. Thanks for reading!
-Sunita
