My first morning of the Camino I was asked by one of the toughest people I have ever met, with all the sincerity in the world: “Are you ready for blisters that will make you cry?” He wasn’t kidding.
While I have not shed a tear (in pain) on this walk, I have cursed, winced, hobbled, and limped my way through the past few days of the Camino. I have also sworn off all forms of hiking for at least a month after I am finished. Essentially, my blisters built up to the point where a lot of ibuprofen and bandages (and some magical European patches called Compeed) were required in order to preserve any shred of evidence I possess feet. Understand: hiking 16-18 miles in a day, while difficult, can be done by pretty much anyone–hiking this much every day for 14-34 consecutive days is another matter entirely. Arriving at the final destination point at the end of our day is a huge relief…but it is also when the strain of walking so much comes down hard on everyone.
Pain. So much pain.
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