Departure was better than planned, since I had no problem driving to and into NY. My flight out of there had such a delay that I missed my connection from Casablanca to Toulouse. As a result I got to spend a day in that city and the hotel was by the water. So… I got to see a bit of Morocco as well.
Today I visited Lourdes and I recommend it to all of you. It is in the mountains and the view is wonderful. Unfortunately I only had a few hours there. I would love to get back someday.
Now I am in a Refugio in my first city preparing for my Camino. It is good. They even have hot water and free internet. Hope all the rest of them will be at least as good. This is France still… no clue what to expect in Spain.
Long day tomorrow. I have 27km through the mountains. Wonderful mountains and cities but I still carry 15 to 16 Kg even after I mailed ahead 5-6 kg today. Wish me luck.
Love you all,
Miha
The above I could not send when I wrote. Now I am on my 5th day along the Camino. I have walked over 100 km but it has become too hot already in Spain so everybody wakes up early (6-7am) and starts to walk. I am usually the last leaving the room (not the hostel though) but I always catch up with them along the way. The back pack is not the best one and it is heavy. The road is up and down the mountains and now it has become hot in the mountains as well but the flowers are beautiful and the experience is great. I meet a lot of new people and not many deserve to wear white coats. Only one I see carrying a stick in the shape of a cross and trying to look like Christ. Most of the people that are on the road with me are either French or Spanish but I also know a few Germans, three Canadians, one American, and a few Netherlanders. Yesterday was the funniest day so far and we (a Canadian girl, a Belgian, and I) laughed until we hurt.
I had blisters and muscular pain on the 2nd and the 3rd day but all is fine again. Most of the people do get that, even wearing good shoes. The road is steep and going down the mountain gave me the blisters.
I have limited time on the net again so this was just a short update. No time for spell-check. Sorry.
Love you all,
Miha
P.S. The refugios are OK for the 5-7 euro we pay. We got hot water everywhere but the internet is on a machine that cuts you off after 16 min. The beds are always bunk-beds (how is this spelled?) and the snoring is a true symphony of all the imaginable instruments around the earth.