HYDRATE to be GREAT! - Chanes

I have walked over 200k. I think thats crazy, so I can't imagine what I will feel like if I make it to the 800k finish. It's wild because I have never walked this much in my life, and I am starting to figure out how far I can go, when I need a break, how often to drink water, etc. The weather here is awesome in the morning until about 11. I get into a rhythm and just goooo. By the time that sun is out in full swing, I'm thinking "oh good God just keep on trucking." I'm surprised my mother hasn't commented on here yet about me drinking water. I think she is the only one who knows about my tendency to pass out in hot weather... Okay I lied. Nana- if you are reading this thing, "remember when I was playing tennis with you and the old ladies and they whooped my butt and I almost passed out in that Florida sun?!" With that said, I have been extra careful about making sure my water bottles are full, and I drink a ton. A reminder is always good, so I greatly appreciated the words of wisdom from a student of mine that I received today. "You gotta HY-DRATE to be GREAT!" - thanks Chanes!!  Besides water, there are other things that nourish you along the way. And that is a good conversation. I can only stand myself for a couple of hours before I start singing or rapping or entertaining myself with who knows what. It's usually about that time that someone comes up to talk to me on the way. I have learned a ton about so many different countries and cultures. It's amazing how this walk is popular worldwide. Today was special though. I was walking along and just about at that point when I was annoying myself, when this lady from Spain came up to me. She knew NO English so I didn't think the conversation would last much longer than hola, como estas. However, we talked for over 2 hours taking care of about 10km. My Spanish was kicked into high gear and I was even surprising myself at how I remembered so much. Jay-Z... You work magic! (yes, I refer to my college Spanish professor as Jay-Z). Each and every day I have had amazing conversations with different people resulting in my small little bubble of a sheltered American life getting bigger and bigger.  Even though I am talking to different people each day, life on the camino is pretty small town-like. Marcus, the professor from Notre Dame, and I joke around and call it Mayberry (most jokes go over my head with references from before the 1990's, but I knew this was from THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW- thanks Dad!) Each day there are a couple of different hostels you can stay in, different places to eat, diffent places to stop, and things like that. But even with that said, somehow and someway you run into the same people. It can be days later and wa-lah here comes so and so from AUSTRALIA or so and so from CROATIA or so and so from SOUTH AFRICA. I think you get the point. It's really something special. One of my goals here was to meet people from strategically located countries that I want to visit during my time in Europe when I finish the walk. I'm actually a little behind on that goal... But this is a good reminder to get busy! Instead, I have places to go on other continents! As well as a place to stay in VA Beach. It was a couple of days ago at mass when the priest called up the pilgrims to the alter for a blessing (I only knew because everyone starting going up there and they were wobbling and in nasty clothes like me). The priest asked where everyone was from and when he asked the 3 guys next to me they said Virginia. We talked afterwards and it turns out they teach at Norfolk Academy (we play them in sports...) SMALL WORLD. I've seen them multiple times and it's so funny to be able to say WHAT'S UP!? And not have to worry about accents or language barriers.  After walking 31km today, I feel exhausted and drained. However, tomorrow's route is just 23km I think. It will be a walk in the park! So many people are taking buses, trains, etc. to skip ahead. Blisters and shin splints are the main cause. Others just want to bike the flat part coming up soon. Of course other injuries and even bug bites (not tracker jackets, Chuckie d.!) have sent people home.  I've also considered skipping ahead but can't decide. It's not like it's a SURVIVOR mentality or anything like that. It's just what I think about in making the most out of my "way"... I'll keep you posted I'm sure!