Camino de Santiago • Daily Digest • 2019.04.16

DATE 
2019.04.16

START
San Sebastián-Donostia
Koisi Hostel, Paseo de Heriz, 38

END
San Sebastián-Donostia
Koisi Hostel, Paseo de Heriz, 38

DISTANCE TRAVELED
~ 8 miles

TRAVELED BY
Foot


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Great night's sleep. I don't think I moved much at all. Maybe alternating stretching my legs. Other than that, flat on my back, and HEAVY. So nice.

  • Shower. So fresh, so clean cleeeeean.

  • Explored San Sebastián by foot with Emma, which was a lot of fun. She's from Norway (confirmed), and quit her digital marketing job back in October and has been traveling around Spain for most of the time since then. She was telling me that a group of friends of hers (all former volunteers at an organization called "The Future In Our Hands" (I think)) has been planning to try and buy a big house on a large property somewhere outside Oslo with the intent to convert the house into a shared cultural center of sorts, and they'd build their own houses on the property. Sounds so cool, and not too far from things I've thought about. Unlike my scheming, they've actually had meetings about it, and at the most recent meeting they all apparently committed to putting the money into it. So awesome, I’m very excited to hear how this progresses. Maybe one day, we’ll be able to go visit.

  • We walked a lot (sans backpacks) and stopped for pintxos/pinchos (the northern Spain version of "tapas") and later, ice cream.

  • Pet a sad, distressed pup tied to a stair rail, which seemed to calm him down.

  • Checked out a library, where there was a display of photos of refugees. Found out Emma had done some volunteer work with refugees in Greece after she graduated college.

  • San Sebastián is simply beautiful, and I spent so much time thinking about coming back with you and reflecting on how much I look forward to traveling, meeting new people, and exploring together.

  • Got to cash in on our complimentary hostel beer (which we missed last night because we both got in past the point the bar was closed) when we got back from our walk, which was SOOOOO refreshing.

  • Decided to stay another night after realizing the train options were so limited starting mid-afternoon, and got my same room and same bed. Top bunk again! Also, another complimentary beer!

  • Got a little bit of work done, which essentially paid for the extra night.

  • Managed to find some quick bites at a nearby bar/restaurant right before they closed. Also split a Kinder Bueno candy bar on the walk back to the hostel because Emma was flabbergasted I had never had one. It was good.

  • Talked to K8 and got to hear about her day, her dad’s Easter plans, her packing, and her new supervisor’s expression of appreciation for her and the rest of her crew. 

  • Oh, and a few signature Kate laughs as well. Love, love, love.


CHALLENGES 

  • Honestly, today has been pretty challenge-free. The walking ended up being much less than it felt like it was (8 miles), so it made me wonder how the Camino itself is going to end up being (typically will be 10-15 miles a day, with a few potentially reaching 20 miles). That was also without my pack. It's going to be good.

  • Another thing that I thought might be a challenge ended up not being one. In the past, I've worried a lot about the intra-relationship optics when I've made connections with other females. It would nearly cripple me and make being present a lot more difficult, if not impossible. So, in this case, I was nervous about how that would play out for me (if projected worries on my new partner’s behalf would affect my willingness to engage and be present in new situations). I'm happy to report that it has been a really great and eye-opening experience. I feel like I made a really cool connection, and didn't have to compromise any of myself, my needs, and my wants in order to do it. On top of that, I feel deep down and trust that my partner is genuinely excited for me for this trip and all the connections that will come from it. I also trust that she trusts me, and that is maybe the biggest difference I've so far experienced with her (and is something I will continue to be grateful for as it continues to unfold). I still have a lot to process about it all, and I will definitely share as I do.

    • TL;DR I felt normal meeting, spending time with, and making friends with a female girl, which is something I haven't experienced while in a relationship in a long time.


SOME THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO TOMORROW

  • Taking the train to France (Hendaye, my first non-Spain destination!), and then another train to another place in France (Bayonne), and then ANOTHER train to ANOTHER place in France (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, from where I will start the Camino on Thursday). I jokingly told a coffee shop coworker that I was going to France for the first time and then almost immediately and very literally turning right back around and walking away. Hehehe.

  • Hoping to have some time to journal a bit.