How to Manage Being an Introvert

Automated coffee machines abound on the trail.

Day 3, Roncesvalles to Zubiri

The short story of how one manages being an introvert on Camino, with an extroverted husband in particular, is you get up before him. And everyone else. It was a two Cafe Con Leche morning, maybe not the smartest move, but having two luxurious hours alone in an albergue filled with 200 pilgrims got my introverted self ready to great them at breakfast.

Sadly, my Goat Rating, the imaginary rating system I have in my head, developed not from caminoing, but from going up and down the rock terraces in my home garden, dropped from the highly coveted 5 spot down to a 3 after slipping in mud and falling. I braced my fall with my right hand which is attached to an already injured wrist. I came prepared with a splint that I wear daily to support recovery (read Tequila Lessons for the back story) and to protect me from potential events like this. With an additional 17 pounds from my back pack this slip could have done real damage, but the splint did it’s job. However, now we’re in level cow territory and I have little ability to regain my desired goat status for the next two weeks.

See photos and captions below for the rest of the day as we walk to Zubiri, Navarre.

©Theresa Elliott, All Rights Reserved

Leaaving the town and alburge of Roncesvalles.

Not much further now. Only 790km to go!

The town of Auritz.

Unique water drain system.

The church.

Cool foot bridge over a stream.

Isn’t this how it started for Hansel and Gretel?

The splint I brought from home on the wrist that needs it. It does have a certain cool factor and more than one person has asked where I got my bracelet.

Eating my first BLT , without the lettuce and tomato.