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Day 0: Travel day
Madrid → Irun
I kind of love packing. I picture myself wearing the clothes I pack on the trail, sleeping in my sleep sack, walking with my backpack on for hours. It gets me excited and drowns out the hesitation and pre-trail jitters I’m suddenly having.
I haven’t done that much prep for the Camino yet. I read some blogs, got recs from my sister’s friend and my friends. After prepping for the AT, the Camino feels easier to show up and jump into (I hope so at least).
Train ride
It’s pretty awesome that I can take a train from Madrid to Irun to start the Camino. The train is 6.5 hours but honestly better than the hassle of flying and time passes with a good book. I brought a book from my sister’s shelf called Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. I didn’t realize it was more of an autobiography. I really liked the 2nd half–emphasizing the kind of love that exists in friendship and female friendships in particular. I’ve got about 15 pages left. It kept me occupied for the entirety of the train ride. The train ended up going to San Sebastian with another train coming in 45 minutes to go the rest of the way to Irun.
I made it to my hostel around 9:30pm and still wasn’t sure if I was going to start the trail the next morning or the day after.
“Plans”
The perk of the Camino is that I’ll be able to stay in hostels each night. This was part of the draw of doing the Camino on short-notice. Granted these hostels vary from a hotel-like experience to a bunk inside a shelter and access to a toilet (still wonderful for a backpacking trip). Unlike the AT, I wouldn’t have to carry camping gear or much food as there are so many little towns along the way.
After mentally preparing for the AT, the Camino feels like a warm-up of sorts. A 5-week long shakedown hike. I’m hesitating even calling it a true thru-hike as it feels less hardcore than an AT or PCT thru-hike, but still I’ll (hopefully) go about 900 km (560 miles)!!
My plan is to go from Irun to Santiago de Compostela and add the additional days to the coast at Fisterra. Fisterra was where the Romans thought the end of the earth was. On a clear night there is apparently a stunning sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. For many on the Camino it symbolizes the sun setting on your journey and the new beginning in your life.
Now you see why I’m hoping to make it there.
The Northern Way
There are so many Camino routes, the most famous probably being the French way–what most people think of when they think of the Camino. I decided on the Northern way through Spain for a few reasons. 1) My sister lives in Madrid and I can travel to the start easily from visiting her, 2) The coastal views–the Northern way hugs Spain’s “green” coast rather than traveling through the middle of the country on the French route. The trade-off of the beautiful green meadows and trees is much more rain, 3) I wanted to practice Spanish before starting my new job in the fall <3
As far as packing for the Camino, I already had almost all of my gear for the AT. So, I’m using items from that stash. I plan to hike in my Hoka trail runners and bring lots of blister supplies. I typically get blisters fairly easily, but have gotten tons of tips from others to try out. I’ve been walking 10+ miles a day around Madrid to prepare my legs, but I’m sure nothing really compares to the hike once you start.
“Luxury” items I’m bringing:
- iPad with keyboard case–need for job onboarding.
- Book–this is mostly for the 6+ hour train ride from Madrid to Irun. I’m not sure how much time I’ll have for reading/if I’ll be too exhausted at first to read. But, my sister is visiting at the beginning of May so I can always send the book home then.
- Hair products–shampoo & conditioner bar and various free sample styling products. Once these run out we’ll see what my hair looks like all on its own, but in the meantime I’m excited to use all of these up!
- Umbrella–I have a backpacking poncho that covers me and my pack but I think having an umbrella would potentially mentally help me with rain and honestly with harsh sun too.
- Journal–I got a new one for the Camino <3 My last journal was blue with butterflies. I started it in January right before I visited Ecuador with a old friend (who actually did the Camino a few years ago!) I still had just a few pages in that journal, but not enough to last me the whole Camino.
Current favorites:
- Song: “As She Dreams” by Goth Babe. I think anytime is a great time to put on Goth Babe but listening to him while traveling and hiking particularly hits.
- Candy: Caramelos of various flavors, sour spaghetti: strawberry flavored from Lidl–great texture.
Closing thoughts
Today’s inspo comes from a book called the “Pivot Year” by Brianna Wiest. “Instead of trying to figure out whether or not something is definitely right for you, just notice what creates resonance or dissonance. Ask yourself if it gives at least as much energy as it takes. Ask yourself if it intrigues you, fascinates you, compels you. Ask where this walking path might lead. Let yourself be guided in the quietest ways.”
xo
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