Anecdotes and Observations on the Camino

I know I am the one who usually describes where we are, but I am having trouble finding more words to describe our trek and the scenery. So today I will put in writing, some of what I have observed over the last 10 weeks.

1. The pilgrimage to Santiago has existed for centuries and traditionnaly in earlier times, pilgrims left from home and not on designated trails such as we have done. Some people still take that tradition to heart. We met Verrena who locked the door to her home in Zurich on March 17th and started walking; Christine who left from her home in Genève. We also met a couple from Bern who started walking from their home. Francis left from Dijon and Jean-Paul left from Nantes. Many left from the Paris region for their pilgrimage towards Santiago. We also met Denis, from Montréal who got off the plane in Lyon and started walking. Tradition is strong everywhere.


2. Now here is one for women who are contemplating the way to Santiago. As a North American woman I chose sturdy sporty underwear to bring, bras that don't bind and underpants that wouldn't ride up in the back, all of course that dry quickly. French women, almost without exception, walk in their lacey pink, baby blue, yellow and white push-up bras with eyelet lace and underpants to match! So when you hang up your undies on the common clothesline outside, you feel a bit "unfeminine". I even saw thongs!

3. Older men on the Camino almost always let their beards grow. Sometimes when you haven't seen someone for a couple of weeks, you hardly recognize them! Younger men still shave.

4. Though we have met many couples walking together, it is surprising how many persons walking together are not couples in their regular life. We have followed 6 people who have walked together the same distance as us, all friends for a long time, none of them with their spouses. We have met brothers-in-law walking together, sisters with the husband of one, people who have met on the trek and have become friends, often of different nationalities.


5. Those sleeping in gîtes and Alberges almost all wear ear-plugs to protect them from those who snore. Often they are the worst culprits and though we may not want to admit it, everyone over 50 years old snores sometimes! And if you are a little bit overweight, you can bet you snore!

6. Footwear: I have seen every possible type of footwear on this trek. Many wear hiking boots as Arlette and I have and there are all sorts of them from high boot that cover the ankle to lower ones. Many wear regular sneakers, high tech ones and regular old sneakers. I have seen a man from Ireland in street shoes, says he has had no problems with his feet, only his teeth! Many wear sandals, some with heavy soles some with thin soles that must cause pain when we are walking on a trail full of pebbles. We have even seen one woman with crocs, those plastic shoes full of holes that everyone seems to be wearing! One thing is sure, whatever you wear, you are lucky if you don't get even one tiny blister!



Michèle