Camino: Day 10-12

Camino: Day 10-12

Logrono, Navarette, and Najara

Day 10 – Los Arcos to Logrono:

27km by bus ?. Today was one of the hardest and most grateful days. I woke up and one of my blisters was infected. It’s not just that it was painful but it meant a whole lot more: 1) I wouldn’t be able to walk today. 2) I would need to find a doctor. 3) do you know how hard it is to find a doctor, food, bandages when it hurts to walk? 4) I would need to take a day off. 5) I might need to bus which I didn’t want to do. I called Luc and vivi and vivi told me she was mad at me because she missed me. I cried and cried. I was all alone in the albergue and was getting kicked out. So I walked to the front door where some German friends were. I got a hug ? from all three of them. One of them cried. We walked slowly to the town square. I saw Alan and another friend from Bulgaria. I continued to cry and get hugs. Then my angel Ozzie friend Antoinette who I literally just met said “I’m going to Logroño to go to the doctor there if you want to join me.” In that moment I knew that her and I were placed together for a reason. I said “yes pls”. We bussed to Logroño and found our albergue right across the street from the hospital. We headed to the hospital and no one spoke English. Annie and I got poked and jabbed and antiseptic and dressed and they didn’t charge us at all. Thank you camino. I walked back to the albergue and called Luc where I cried some more. Then I rested. My friends from a few days ago came by and visited! So special that they did that. #forevergreatful. Then Annie and I went for a slow walk to look at sandals, bank and get some food. While we were sitting there in the square we ran into people we walked with, ate with and slept alongside throughout our journey. What amazes me is how quickly you become friends and then how amazing it is when you see these gorgeous souls again. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Tomorrow I’m going to try and walk to Navarrete 13km away. I found a couple of women that are walking there tomorrow slowly so I’ll try to meet up with them in the morning. Many tears, disappointments, fears, frustrations, putting the ego aside, finding angels, smiles, love and connection were had today. ♥️?❣️?‍♀️⛰

Day 11 – Logrono to Navarette:

Decided to take it slow and see how my feet were doing. Not too bad. Things started to hurt about 3km from the destination. I threw on some music and danced and sang my way through the vineyards. I’ve decided to leave 1 thing behind from my pack at every albergue. My pack has always been too heavy so this helps that AND it signifies me leaving my fears behind. Today was a better day emotionally. I’m sleeping in an albergue where there is room for 40 people but there’s only 4 of us. Most excellent! I’m going to walk 16km tomorrow. A little increase from today. I met Fina, Dave and Francis today from Ireland. Love that accent. And I met up with Linda and Otto again!! I love seeing those two. I can’t get over how special it is to run in to people after not seeing them for a few days. We had a drink and talked about the last few days. We talked about the struggle and how the struggle is necessary to go to heaven. I’m going to meet them early to walk with them in the dark while it’s still cool. Supposed to be rain tomorrow. That would be the first day walking in the rain if it happens. Tomorrow Najera.

Day 12 – Navarette to Najara: 

So here we go again. I started out at 6:20am with Otto and Linda and headed out of town in the dark. We meandered among the vineyards for most of the day. We had a wonderful breakfast while the rains poured down. It was my first time walking in the rain. It really only lasted for about 30mins. After that I walked alone for the better part of the day. I walked into Najera with a couple of Canadian women which was nice because my feet were killing me. I had started to get yet another blister on my pinky toe almost just after leaving the albergue. By the time I got to my next albergue my feet were in so much pain. I decided I was going to buy new bigger trail shoes (which I did). I headed out for dinner and drinks with Otto, Linda and Feena. I retired to my bed. This albergue has sooo many beds and people don’t like to sleep with the window open so it gets stuffy with all that breathing so in the middle of the night I got up to go pee and I sat in the hallway for a while texting my mom and aunt and falling asleep in the chair. Eventually I went back to bed. People here are reporting bed bugs. It is a way of life on the Camino but it doesn’t mean it’s not my worst nightmare. I wake up at night every night wondering if tonight will be the night I fall prey. Tomorrow Santo Domingo.

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Donna
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Donna

Thanks Robin for explanation.. So happy that you were able to figure it out and walk easier. Love your story.. Looking forward to more… Have a wonderful day and hope your weather is compliant with what you have to explore today. Big Hug ?

Donna
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Donna

Do all the people on the Camino suffer with blisters? You certainly had your share… Did the bigger shoes help? Sounds like you met some wonderful people along the way… Interesting in how people are brought together – incredible life experience… Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos. ❤️ ?

Robin
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Robin

No not all people suffer with blisters. There are a few that you want to shoot with lasers when they say they have had zero problems. Jealousy of course! And you want to know their secrets… I think for me my feet just tended to get wet and my shoes were too small and I was only wearing one pair of socks to begin with. I got some amazing advice from someone back home to get two pairs of socks and at the same time I bought bigger shoes so my blisters immediately started to improve. Oh and I took… Read more »

Greg
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Greg

Do you have an idea why you were vulnerable to blisters? What advice to you have to avoid?

Robin
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Robin

Well there’s many theories that you hear on the way. It’s definitely one of those topics that you can bond over while walking or taking a coffee. Here’s what I know: 1. If you’re feet are wet (from sweat) you’ll get blisters. So it’s recommended to change your socks and let your feet dry out ever 5 kms for about 10mins. Some people say 10kms – I’m a once an hour kind of girl. 2. Wear 2 pairs of socks. One that is a liner (mine were toe socks) and the top pair being wool. 3. Get a pair of… Read more »