Typical Daily Schedule for the Camino
6:00 AM. Usually I wake before everyone else especially if the room is filled with people. The night before I set out the pants I am going to wear. So it is easy to put them on, go to the restroom and brush my teeth. Then I quietly bring my items into the hallway or common room to pack. Then I put vaseline on my feet and put on my socks. If there is breakfast I eat. If not then, I put on my boots and head out.
7:00 AM Leave albergue. Usually I would leave with my “Camino Family.” I find it best to leave early as it is quieter and less people. Additionally, if your have a long trek that day (25 km or more) it is best to leave early so you have plenty of time to arrive at your next albergue. It is still dark in Spain by 8:00 so if you leave early, you will need a headlamp.
10:00 AM is a good time to have breakfast (tortilla de batatas, bocadillo, cafe con leche, zumo de naranja) if you did not eat before you leave. There are usually bars, mesones or restaurants along the way. I found eating on the camino tricky. I was careful to fill up while walking as it made it more difficult to walk. On the other hand, you burn a lot of calories so it is important you nourish up. It is also a good place to use the restroom.
1:00-3:00 PM Arrive at the Albergue. While some pilgrims simply walk from one albergue to another. Not having a reservation was too stressful so I have reserved a spot at my next albergue. I check in and am shown my bed–and given paper sheets for the bed and the pillow. I take a shower and feel refreshed. Then I wash my clothes and hang them on the clothesline–they usually dry if it is windy or hot. Then I look for a place to eat. This can be tricky as the Spanish eat between 1:00-3:00 so if you are looking for a place, you need to get there before they close. otherwise you will have to wait til they open again (this includes small grocery stores) which may be 7:00-7:30.
6:00-8:00 Pilgrim’s mass. At the larger towns there is sometimes a pilgrim’s mass which all are invited to attend.
Depending on how late that it is, we can go out for beers after. But by 8:00, we are usually preparing for the following day
9:00 PM Lights out and in bed.
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| Typical breakfast: Bread & Café con leche |
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| Church at Rabe de las Calzadas. In this tiny church, I went to pray and inside was a nun who was giving out Miraculous Medals and blessings. Wow! |
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| Rabe de las Calzadas |
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| Hornillos de la Calzada |
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| At the end of the pilgrim's mass, the priest asked us to sing a religious song in our native langauge. All I could muster up was Salve Regina, which was in Latin. |
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