I needed a break. My knees, Achilles, shoulders and back were all screaming at me to cut some slack! So last night I made the decision to take a rest day today. This is common on the Camino. Most people take a few rest days. It’s good for your body and can make the difference in being able to complete the journey.
Here is the difficulty w rest days, however. You lose the people you’ve been walking with. The people you see at dinner every night or at the hostels or along the path. If they carry on this day while you rest, you may or may not see them again. Also if you stay in a town 2 nights, you have to check out and check back in to a hostel. Only one night stays allowed. The other option is to travel to the next town by bus or other means on your rest day. Which is what I chose to do. This means I should be still traveling with the original group. And, because I have a time limit to this Camino, I knew I would need to do this a few times in order to make it to Santiago before I have to fly out. I am ok with not walking a few sections in order to make it to the end. If I only walk 450 miles instead of 500, it will be ok. Yes I had to convince myself of this before I came. I was working myself into a frenzy trying to figure out how to make the entire walk, w rest days, before I fly out. (I’m doing a wedding for a friend after I get back to the US, so I don’t have any flexibility on leave dates).
And then I realized I am
Not doing this so I can claim a certain number of miles walked. I am doing this for the journey, the experience, the people, the alone time, the time with God. And that is happening whether I use a bus a few times or not. By the way -it costs 2 euro to travel 15 miles by bus. Oh how I wish we had a good mass transit system in the States.
Anywhoo, I walked some today to get the kinks worked out. I washed clothes with a real washing machine and dryer as opposed to handwashing in a sink and hanging to dry. The clothes never really get clean and they never completely dry because the dew sets in in the evening. So they often hang off our backpacks as we hike to finish the drying.
I walked around the town, Puente la Reina, it has some ancient buildings but also a few more modern ones. It’s a pretty small town. I had tea with another pilgrim I met on the bus. She is walking only 10 miles a day and taking longer to reach Santiago. Today was her rest day as well.
Last night was lovely in Pamplona old town. I ate at Bar Groucho, and the tapas were amazing! The weather was so wonderful so the streets were full. Another observation – people get out and walk around every evening. So many people, families, couples, kids, pets – all strolling and socializing. It’s beautiful.
Today it rained most of the day so I picked a good day not to walk. I feel less stiff than I did this morning, but not broken like I did last night. Pilgrim’s dinner is at the hostel tonight.
Buen Camino!
Everyone has their own Camino. This is yours to claim! You are doing it for you.
Not for Gene or family. You are doing it! It will be an experience you will never forget and will change your life.
Buen Camino my friend.
Tina, I am so inspired…by your strength, your commitment, and your realizations. But most of all, by your allowing yourself the experience it’s meant to be, which is in God’s hands. Thank you for showing us how to let Him carry us. ♥️
Brilliantly written, your words paint a good picture! What kind of shoes are you wearing? I’m think you may have 2 pair of Hokas?
Brad
I have Merrell hiking boots and Chacos. Plus some squishy recovery slides.
I couldn’t help but think that God rested while creating and also thinking back on a sermon about rest and the importance of rest. We live in a goal achievement world that often doesn’t value the importance of rest. Trek on!
Bravo listening to your body! This is a marathon, not a sprint! Strolling after dinner sounds so lovely! Makes me want to get out more and mingle. Blessings on your journey, walking or resting, God is near 🙂
So glad you are giving yourself permission to rest and take the bus! Good for you! A lesson we all can learn from you! Blessings on your journey tomorrow! Barbara Pearce
You are amazing Tina. I think I would have needed a rest day two days ago. I can only imagine what a gift this trip will be to. I know it is a great gift to those of us following you. Love and hugs.
I read Days 2, 3, 4 and 5 in one sitting this evening. In 2024, our church is focusing on “Sabbath” so consider your rest days your Sabbath days. No deadlines or number of miles or to-do lists necessary. Just alone time for you and time alone with God. Love all the descriptions of your surroundings. Today’s Jesus calling says, “You can find me in each moment when you have eyes that see and ears that hear.”
I am thankful for a day of rest for you. It is so hard to not be competitive with ourselves and to not be doing all the time. We are so task oriented. I’m grateful for your wise example of kindness to yourself and to allowing the space to let yourself just be. May this rest day restore your body and give space for your spirit to open up wider to God’s movement. Safe pilgrimage my friend.
So glad you are listening to your body! It is good to stop and “smell the roses”. Praying for you! Nina
You can do this. Listen to your body. You are doing something extraordinary. All great works require a rest. Music. Art. Writing. The rest readies. Praying for you every step of the way.
So glad your rest day didn’t result in you losing your group. I know you are such an encouragement to each other. Bravo for what you have accomplished so far. Don’t let worry about the deadline steal any of it! That is my prayer for you today. So, so proud of you.