So what happens on the Camino? 

Here is what to expect on an average day.

Good morning! Hope you got some sleep last night. Man, that German guy snores like a badly maintained snowplow. Thank whatever gods are listening we have earplugs. Sheesh.

Ready to go? Check your bunk, get your sleep gear in your pack, and let's get hiking before it gets busy. Oh, OK… go use the bathroom and meet me out front of the albergue while I hunt down coffee.

Wanna grab breakfast here or just a quick coffee? Pickings are slim, but the bar is open and the coffee machine is working. We have 16 miles today and the elevation profile on the Wise Pilgrim app says it's rough and hilly, so we should plan a few stops to rest our feet and refuel. I'd like to be done by 2 or 3 if we can. Breakfast here? Right on.

Next village is 5 miles away, so we can top up water or get second coffee there. Oh, OK… go use the bathroom and meet me out front.

Well, that was an easy 5 miles. Love the mountains, but these rolling hills are a heck of a lot easier on my knees. Coffee time! Bathroom? No? Seriously?? Next village is only 4 miles. We can grab lunch there if you want.

Lunch. I need lunch. Breakfast wasn't enough and I'm dragging after just 10 miles. I'm not so in love with these rolling hills all of a sudden… Food is good. I know people gripe about the bocadillo, but I love the darn things! Oh, OK… go use the bathroom and meet me at the water fountain. Refill your bottle too. It looks low and I don't think you drink enough.

6 more miles and we're done for the day. Beer awaits! Bathroom… again? You're killing me.

Nice view. Wanna stop for pictures, maybe bust into the sausage I bought 3 days ago? No, it's been in my pack. I'm clearly not carrying a refrigerator. You'll be fine. Here, you try it first. OK, fine, I will, you big baby.

DONE! Another day in the books. Loved the scenery today. I have to admit I really wanted to give the German guy a hard time, but hey, it's his Camino too! Let's find the albergue the Irish kids mentioned and get some bunks.

€12 for a bed and free laundry? SOLD. Lemme dig out my passport and pilgrim credential for the nice albergue host. Man, I want a shower.

Looks clean. Let's check for bedbug signs. I'll check the mattress seams, you check the baseboards and lockers for little red dots and black gunk. I know we treated our packs and sleep gear with permethrin, but let's be sure.

Nice bunks. I'll take the top one, since I don't get up every 20 minutes to use the bathroom like some folks. Shower time. Where's all your shower stuff? Is it all in that one bag? Hang on… you packed your clothes, toiletries and laundry bag all in one bag, in the order you use them, instead of juggling three bags? That's GENIUS! I'm totally stealing that idea and starting a whole website to spread it.

Hey, wear your shower shoes. I don't need your foot funk.

Good water pressure, hot as heck. Nice shower. The Irish kids were right. Gimme the laundry bag and I'll throw my stuff in so the host can get it in the machine.

Nap time for me…

What? Why am I awake? What time is it? Dinner time? PERFECT. Let's hit the place across the street for a pilgrim meal. The menu out front looked good for €14. Yes, and beer. I'm having wine, though.

Wanna walk around after dinner? I'd like to be in bed by 9, but the app says there are a couple of cool churches to see. Cool. Food, then tourism.

I like this town a lot. Small enough to be quaint, big enough to have a market for snacks and a suspiciously good Camino store with the replacement pole tips I needed.

Laundry's done! Now we can pack for tomorrow. Did I mention I'm stealing your idea for my clothing bag? Socks on the bottom, then shorts, then shirt, then underwear, in order of use, with the laundry bag and toiletry bag on top. Seriously brilliant. No more digging through 2 or 3 bags in the shower. Tomorrow will be a lot easier.

You using your blanket tonight? The albergue has some, but I'm too fond of my quilt. Everything else is packed, so in the morning I just jam my quilt in the bag with my phone charger and we roll.

Good night. Great day. Only 40 more to go…