Seems like yesterday

A year ago, I finished the Camino de Santiago. It was a great two-week trip of being alone amongst some 500 of my closest friends that I never met. There were very few times that I was completely alone or out of sight from another pilgrim, but at the same time I was in my own space. It was really unique.

While hiking over the Pyrenees , it was a truly magical hike. Looking ahead and to the rear you could see a line of pilgrims looking like a long line of ants going back to the nest. The amazing thing is that they came in all shapes, sizes, and ages. There were kids with their families being pushed in strollers, there were college students, retires, and then there were people in their 80's making it look easy.

We started at St. Jean France and stopped halfway up the Prynes at Orisson. The albergue at Orisson was a great break. It was 8 people to a room with bunk beds. The food was served family style all at one sitting and the beer was cold. Then for an introvert like me the worst thing that could happen occurred. One by one people got up and said where we are from and why are we walking the Camino. I forgot what I said, but there were people explaining the tragedies in their life and crying. People were talking in French and Spanish, but you know what it really didn't matter. I felt almost ashamed for I just wanted a good hike.

Honestly, the Pyrenees was most awe-inspiring scenery that I have ever seen. It felt like the Sound of Music complete with goats, horses, and cattle with no fences. I could have stopped on Day 4 and been satisfied. However at the top of the mountain right as you get off the road is a van selling snacks and keeping track of the nationalities passing that day. A couple of hard-boiled eggs and a banana and I was on my way. I am glad we spilt this part of the hike in to two days, but I think we could have pushed through and completed this section in one day.

Speaking of the horses that were free to roam, there was a reason. At one of our stops, I ordered a horse burger. I mean I had to try it. If I visit Scotland I would try haggis, I don't think I would like but I would try it. Back to the horse burger, it was really gamey and I can say I tried it. It will never happen again. When in Rome.

For the first part of the hike I was carrying all my gear. My pack weight was about 17 pounds. I figure 2 or 3 pounds were for medical supplies. Then I lighten it up and had half my pack shipped ahead. The Camino has a great system for sending your luggage ahead. We had one duffle bag for the 5 of us and that thing was packed. The cost was minimal and it made the hike more enjoyable. No use in killing yourself for a good hike.

The first day was a little rough. I forgot to turn off my pump and my blood sugar (BS) dropped to historic lows. I was sitting on the side of the road cramming my face with whatever was in my pack to get my sugar back up, when 3 nurses from Australia stopped and chatted with me. Okay they were worried and wanted to make sure I wouldn't die. I didn't die and I finished the hike on my own terms. The views, the food, the people, and the solitude made this a great hike. We enjoyed some more time with the nurses throughout our hike.

After the first day the pilgrimage was amazing. The people, food and the sights were just amazing. I spent one day walking with two sisters from Canada. We just chatted like we knew each other for years. Everyday you could decide to walk alone or walk in groups. Sometimes it was crowded and you had no choice but to walk in groups.

So the first day was a bit rough and the last day was difficult as well. Being a diabetic you plan out your insulin. You get pretty good at or at least that is what I thought. Two days from finishing I realize I wouldn't have enough insulin. My mind became preoccupied with how am I going to finish the hike and make it back home. Reducing my carbs and limiting my insulin, I knew I could get to the last day. So I was just one day short. Just one day!

I knew if I could make it Santiago, I could find some insulin. It got me thinking if there was a black market for insulin that I could find. We planned to go to Finisterre Lighthouse to finish our trip. I sent the group ahead and I would stay in Santiago to find some insulin. I went to a pharmacy, and I needed a prescription which makes perfect sense. After a couple of hours with my doctor in the states I get the prescription. Back to the pharmacy and they were confused by the type "Humalog" which I thought was pretty common. I guessed wrong.

Making a long story short, by lunchtime my BS was in the 300's. I decided to walk to the closest hospital to get checked in and pay a lot of money for one day of insulin. So I get to the hospital and get checked in. They warned me this could be like 600 euros, but I really didn't have a choice. Then the nurse comes back and says my BS wasn't high enough to get admitted. I came right out and said I just need one days' worth of insulin and she politely turned me down.

Now I really started to worry. So I had my prescription in hand, and I thought I would try one more pharmacy on the way to our hotel. I had nothing to lose. So, I walk in and so them my prescription and she look at me and says this is for you son right? Without hesitation, I said yes it is. I wish I had taken a picture of what they gave me but it was really design for kids and it really wasn't the right insulin, but I was desperate. I went back to the hotel got my BS back down and walked around an amazing city waiting for my friends to return. I joked that God never talked with me during the Camino, but maybe he did. I know I did have some good one-sided conversations with him. I hope he was listening.

Speaking of God, there was a minister in our group and so we had to stop at every little church along the way. I bet there were 5 or 6 churches each day. While most were open, there was a large number that were closed. It became a running joke on how many closed doors she tried. I think she will have the last laugh because I know this is a good sermon waiting for an audience.

Thanks and Pack Lightly

JustJoe