Day 1: Oh yeah, I remember this

So day 1 is complete. The overall hike was just under 20 miles and it took me just over 8 hours, keeping in mind that I had a coffee break (along with a great conversation with an Australian gentlemen I shared the table with) as well as a full sit down lunch break and I didn’t stop my watch for either. Why you ask? Because I would invariably forget to start it again. I didn’t stop the watch last Camino either for the same reason and I can tell you with certainty that my memory hasn’t gotten any better. Okay, so what was I talking about? Oh yeah, day 1. It started with rain and I was less than delighted.

This is my fancy new poncho. I know you think that poncho technology hasn’t evolved in decades but you’re wrong. This one is super light, really flexible and has buttons on the side so you can have bigger or smaller arm holes. Best $10 I ever spent.

The rain remained a drizzle and never really intensified but I was still anxious and in a hurry. I was constantly checking my pace and trying to estimate my arrival time at the end. After a couple of hours I realized that most of the larger physical activities I’ve done over the last year have had cut off times or at the very least were group activities where I didn’t want folks to have to wait on my slow ass. Once I recognized this as the source of my stress I was able to slow down and just settle into walking. Only I was going to have to wait on my slow ass.

Another thing I became aware of is that this is a very different walk than my first camino. It had fewer fellow walkers (pilgrims is the common word used but I still have a problem embracing the term) and a much different physical environment. There were very few hills and most of today was on boardwalk following the coastline, not that you could see much through the fog and drizzle but the sounds of the ocean were quite cool.

The ocean Rocks! See what I did there? Because the picture is of rocks.

I had just a few interactions with others but they were all incredibly nice and friendly. Two different people asked if I had started my walk in Lisbon (which is 200 miles away) and one waiter asked if I needed the bus station. For God’s sake, how shitty do I look? Anyway, it seems to be a number of different nationalities out here but the predominant one today were Australians. I heard at least four different group of Aussies out on the trail. Not sure why that is but I absolutely LOVE Australians when travelling. Next to the Irish there are undoubtedly just a really fun group to hang out with. I know I’m generalizing but I’m doing it in a positive way so it’s alright.
The weather tomorrow looks to be better at this point and the distance isn’t as long. Today was actually the longest distance listed in the itinerary with the final day being a close second. I’m definitely wiped out but am going next door to get a veggie burger and fries and I will eat them with a fork and knife because Americans are animals and I’m essentially European now.

P.S. - If you’re wondering if the pictures are going to get better the answer is probably not. I’m shit at taking pictures. I frame them wrong, almost never put people in them and Michele’s favorite, I always forget to wipe off the lens. Sorry, there’s one photographer in this relationship and it’s not me.

Proof that the above statement is true.