Navigating awkward conversations.

400kms into a hike and a hurricane.

When you are hiking in gale force winds, the rain cutting across your face, hungry, tired and in need of a hot shower a good bed and you find your accommodation is the Hotel Monasterio San Zoilo you know you have an Camino angel watching over you.

I left Fromista that morning under the cloud and shroud of worsening weather - it was icy cold but thankfully the hike itself was relatively flat. I opted not to have breakfast but grabbed a banana and cafe con lece enroute. The pastries were spectacular but day 19, I was over pastry and sugar in a big way and that included bouncy loud women who came out of the darkness and announced beun camino in a booming voice to shatter my morning reverie.

“I know where to go” she announced, “follow me”.

I eyed my new walking companion and snarkily said “I may be going somewhere different” she conceded that may well be the case. It turns out we were going to the same place and not only that, we were both staying at the Hotel Real Monasterio (I discovered my new walking companion at breakfast the following morning - but more on that later). My stop to purchase a coffee put some distance between myself and new bouncy friend and I helped a young Scottish man with his blister issue whilst taking my time over my hot coffee. The wind was picking up and the morning was slowly losing its brightness.

I arrived at my accommodation for the night and after checking in at reception found my way through the labyrinth of walkways and hallways to find my lovely room overlooking an enclosed cloister.

I settled in by having a long hot bath, followed by coffee and cake in the bar. Friends arrived later in the day and we organised to meet for dinner in the hotel restaurant with newly made friends from the USA.

Dinner was superb. I need not have worried as it was all beautifully cooked and accompanied with enough sauce and condiments for me to mix and match.

Cold beetroot soup shooters followed by a warmed creamed asparagus with seared scallop, a second course followed which was a beef shank cooked to perfection with creamed potato, 2 tiny pickled onions & an amazing jus. This was one of the few meals I managed to eat in its entirety- a good helping of wallop (my father’s name for wine) and I was tucked up asleep by 8.30pm. I was half way through my journey to Camino De Santiago and I had made the decision that the next morning I was going to catch a taxi to Ledigos. The news had warned us of hurricane conditions and I opted to take the opportunity to rest, have a leisurely breakfast, and had reception book me a cab for the next day before retiring.

The next morning the wind was howling (the entire region was on high alert and pilgrims were being asked not to walk) I needed no further convincing and I took my time in the restaurant, writing the previous day’s activity and slowly trying to find something I could ‘easily’ eat, opting for cornflakes, hot milk, yoghurt and a banana.

Scrambled egg / toast cheese and ham is not easy for me to manage. I chose a quiet out of the way seat in a corner and deciphered a Spanish local newspaper, it wasn’t long before bouncy friend came and joined me at my table. I explained that I was unable to hold a conversation and eat at the same time, so happy for her to tell me stories but please don’t ask me questions whilst eating. Not rudely, just here’s the situation I find myself bouncy friend, in the middle of a hurricane no less.

Of course she insisted on firing quick rapid questions at me whilst I tried to eat. It never ceases to amaze me how many people don’t listen or don’t comprehend your inability to hold a conversation, eat and breathe simultaneously even after a detailed explanation.

Next time I am going to slap a post it note on my forehead that reads: Don’t speak to me whilst eating! Maybe that will do the trick.

Beun Camino

Here’s the actual clip I recorded in my room, an hour after the incident. It gets worst!

I don’t share the ‘story’ for any other reason that to highlight that often having an awkward or difficult conversation actually means there must be an active listener in the mix. One who is taking in the information, and if there is some colour and movement that ensures the information sinks in.

This occurred week 3 so I had been walking for 21 days at this point, and probably fair to say I was a little weary. I talk more about “the how to” in my upcoming book which is what prompted me to write this post. If you want to know when it is published or register your interest please sign up to my personal website here - that’s where the “inside” juice happens.

The book is written for fellow HNC people, their care givers and clinicians - I am on first draft as we speak remember you can sign up here to be notified when its ready!

Eat Well Pilgrims!