FAQ: Imaginary Questions from Real People (Bob)

We’ve been getting pelted with fanciful questions from all directions, so we decided to answer them all in one place, right here. 

Question: How many days are left? Aren’t you even done already?

We’ve been using the popular John Brierley stage plan for our Camino. He lays out the French route from St. Jean to Santiago in 33  stages. Wendy and I left ourselves with 36 days before we need to take the train back to Madrid. 

We’ve completed 23 stages in 24 days; we have 10 stages left with 2 wiggle room days. We plan to slip one more day by shortening a couple stages in the mountains, which started today. That will give us 2 days to spend in Santiago, if all goes well. Wendy can get a massage and I can gain back some of the weight I lost. 

Question: How is Wendy handling the slower pace?

With two injured knees, Wendy still walks faster than I do, even in the mornings before my feet start hurting. The only exception is when we walk down steep hills, where Wendy has to slow down to avoid re-injuring her knees. I like to walk ahead of her in those instances and then turn around and glare at her with my best “What’s taking you so long?” face. 

So I’m handling the situation quite well.

Question: How does your pilgrimage in 2024 compare to the pilgrimages a thousand years ago? Who’s journey is more difficult?

That’s whose not who’s, but excellent question. This requires a separate blog entry with complete breakdown. Stay tuned. 

Question: With so much exercise and so few clothes, how do you keep yourself from getting stinky?

I don’t. The wool stuff is great, but I have a long-sleeved shirt that’s not wool, and it smells pungent after a couple hours of hiking. Once I asked Wendy if my shirt smelled, so she grabbed it and gave it a big trusting sniff. It wobbled her and nearly knocked her over. 

Wendy was smart enough to bring only wool, silk, or down clothing. I was not.

Question: What do you do about water?

The tap water is safe to drink. Along the way, there are lots of cool fountains. Wendy always tops off her bottle at these fountains, even if her bottle is almost full. 

Question: What have you learned about yourself on this journey?

In reality, I’ve learned nothing. Earlier in my life, I thought that I was a fearless, bold, intrepid traveler because that’s the type of person I respected. It turns out that I am not wired that way, despite my desire to be. I fret and fuss and stress—albeit in a manly way. But I knew that. 

I already knew I could withstand pain and that I enjoy talking to other people even though I’m introverted. And I already have the existential divinity issues figured out perfectly. As the great Don Quixote says so often, “I think, and therefore it is true, that…”

So yeah, so I haven’t learned a single thing. 

Except that Spanish plazas are awesome!