Behind the Albergue Door: Inspiration Agony Adventure on the Camino de Santiago

take a year off “to find himself”. This seems to mean very different things to him, his parents, his friends and his girlfriend. Dylan is a pretty decent-looking guy who feels a bit trapped by the fact he’s been dating the same girl since his senior year of high school. But he’s fun to be around, likes to drink and thinks hiking the Camino de Santiago is just the kind of story he needs to make himself a little more interesting to girls in the bars back home.

    To Wally & Anita Davidson
    I’m here, and ready to hike!
    On Sun, Sep 30 at 8:10 PM, Dylan Davidson wrote:
    Hey, just wanted to let you know I made it to St Jean Pied…something… all right and am getting all set to start my hike tomorrow. Already met a couple other hikers at supper, they are from Pennsylvania and are starting tomorrow too. We talked a bit about the hike but she kept coming back to The Bachelor. Apparently she really likes that show. And the guy was way out of shape, we’ll see how that all works out.
    Planning to get going pretty early tomorrow as its supposed to be a kind of tough day, up and over the mountains. But I think it will be good to get the hardest day out of the way early. I did all that walking along the river last week so I should be all right but I think some of the people I see around here are going to have a tough time.
    Say hi to Lynn for me, oh yeah, also I left my car at Ryan’s place, can you pick it up and take it to your place sometime? Thanks.
    Dylan

    To Jared Bellman
    Holy shit, bro
    On Tue, Oct 2 at 4:43 PM, Dylan Davidson wrote:
    Hey, how’s it goin? This is hike is totally fucked bro. You would not b eleve how hard it is. The first day I went like 18 miles or some shit all straight uphill. I just about through that fucking backpack in a ditch. Now I’m going through my bag and getting rid of all kinds of shit. No way I’m carrying all that crap all the way to Santiago.
    Tons of chicas around though. And it seems like they ’re all just coming off breakups. As soon as my feet stop hurting this thing is going to turn into an orgy, my firend!
    Dill

    To Cassidy Welker
    Miss you
    On Thu, Oct 3 at 7:29 AM, Dylan Davidson wrote:
    Hey, babe, how’re things on the home front? I miss you like crazy. The hike is goin great so far, but I’m surprised at how many old people are doing it. I mean, it’s fine for a guy like me but their’s no way some of these ancients are going to live through it. It’s only been 3 days and I’ve already gone like 50 miles or something. Met a few people so far, mostly couples, but also a cuople younger guys who seem pretty cool. Stayed in Pamplona last night, that’s where they do the running of the bulls. But it’s in summer so it wasn’t happening right now, too bad, cuz I totally would have done it.
    Dill

    To Wally & Anita Davidson
    Your son’s a hiker
    On Mon, Oct 8 at 5:41 PM, Dylan Davidson wrote:
    Sorry I haven’t written much, it’s been superhectic over here. Just walking, and walking, the whole time. I have like a hundred blisters on my feet. I think theres something wrong with these shoes or something. I think I’ve gone like a hundred miles or something now. Still 400 to go. Meeting lots of people, some Americans but mostly Eruopeans. A lot of Germans. Been hanging out with a couple from Ireland mostly. Everyone wants to talk about 50 Shades of Gray all the tiem, it’s really annoying.
    We were hiking with this Dutch guy yesterday who had on this big tilley hat and cargo shorts and a big mustache and we were coming into this town and there was this big painting on the wall of a guy who looked EXACTLY like him. It was crazy, like they’d taken his picture and blown it up. And when we pointed it out he didn’t get it at all. Thought we were nuts.
    Talk to you soon
    Dylan

    To Cassidy Welker
    Hey baby wish you weree here
    On Sat, Oct 13 at 10:14 PM, Dylan Davidson wrote:
    Hey Cass, miss you soo mujch! Sorry I have’t written in a hwile but its so hard you know. So tired. Always so tired. Fuck blisters man! Seriously
    Not as ugly as we expected out of Burgos. Wandered around wondering why no restaurats – then suddenly…city! Then park. Then that weird kid. Then a hill. Then hot. Stopped early in a nice private. Got laundry done then drunk and tapas in a nearby bar. Lots of pilgrims but none we cared to meet. Weird groc store thing, then