Santander

I'm so glad I went to the Guemes albergue yesterday. It was so special to be there with all my different Camino friends, and for some reason, I have such a soft spot for grandpas. 🥹 This morning, while we were preparing to leave, it was fun to see the reunion of all the different friends I had met at various points along the journey.

I walked with Bastion again today. We walked 13.13 miles in 5 hours. I was telling him how interesting it feels that, even though we are in a foreign country and in a new place every night, when I see familiar people at the albergue, it feels like coming home. It’s funny because I barely know these people and have the shortest conversations with them, but I get a grounded sensation when I stagger into the albergue and see them relaxing on the grass. 🥲 I genuinely feel excited when I see a friend walking up the driveway. It’s like the gang's all here. I’ve only known them for 10 days, but we are experiencing something so difficult and rewarding together.

I ran into Javier, who stayed at a different hotel last night. He was having a breakfast stop with some Spanish women midway. We then continued on toward Somo, where we walked across the long beach and finally took the boat over to Santander. The views along the coast were spectacular today. In many ways, it reminded me of Santa Cruz, which is probably why I felt homesick.

When we arrived in Santander, everyone went their own ways. I had not done a good job feeding or hydrating myself today, and by the time I arrived in Santander, I was on EMPTY. 🛑 Arriving in a chaotic city on empty with a backpack is not a good idea. I still don’t know if Spanish people eat real food. It seems like they only drink wine, beer, or coffee, with maybe a plate of olives. This is confusing for me because I don’t know which places I can order real food and which places are only for tapas. 😩 I finally chose a bar, went inside, and asked for another bocadillo. 🤮 It was just a mini baguette with a single slice of jamón. I took a bite and could feel the tears coming. I was crying over a bad bocadillo. 😢 Feeling really homesick and wishing I could just go to Sweetgreens and get a giant salad with chicken! I texted my friend Marissa, who is two weeks ahead of me on the Camino del Norte, and told her I was crying over a bocadillo. She was like, "I get you. Last night I was crying over a lasagna that was basically spinach dip." 🤣🤣 I felt instantly less alone and so much better. It was hilarious. I went from silently crying over sandwich to hysterically laughing. The waitress was like,“Estás bien?”🤨

I think my level of exhaustion has been adding up. I’ve been getting pretty bad sleep, walking so far under the sun, not finding vegetables to eat, and spending so much time socializing. I ended up crying over my bocadillo and making a promise not to eat another piece of bread in Spain! I enjoy being around people, but I definitely find it draining to be constantly communicating, and often in a foreign language. It might do me good to have a princess night and get a private hotel room in Santillana Del Mar, where I can recharge all of my batteries. 🌊🧘🏼‍♀️ This too shall pass.

Lucky for me, I already had plans to meet my friend Marta for lunch at Bodega Fuente de Santander. She is going home and can’t continue on the Camino. 💔 The infection on her toe became so bad that it could reach the bone! The medic said that when that happens with older people, it could mean they lose their toe! 😳 Luckily, Marta is young and healthy and can save her toes! 👣 Lunch was bread-free! We ate cocido montañés, which is a very popular Spanish dish and is now my forever Camino staple food. It had beans, kale, pork, and broth. Marta said it is a typical dish her grandmother might make. I loved it! 😊

We spoke about our Camino experience, and it was wonderful getting to know her better. Marta is such a strong and intelligent young woman who has overcome a lot, even though she is so young. I found her reason for walking the Camino to be so inspiring. Even though she cannot continue this summer alongside us all the way to Santiago, I know she will be with us. 💕

This afternoon in Santander, I plan to go to the palace. Apparently, Santander was a popular place for royal families to vacation. Maybe they will give this princess her own room for the night, without any snoring companions! 👸😴Læs mere