The Beginning of the Camino

We started the Camino de Santiago 311 kms away from our destination as the sun came up. Walking through the streets trying to become used to following with blind faith any sort of marker. Our signs range from a metal scallop shell on the sidewalk, a metal foot imprint on the sidewalk, white pillers with blue and yellow stamps of scallops on them (seen at a distance), large yellow arrows painted on walls and streets, small faded yellow arrows on the backs of streetsign poles, a random yellow brick and stones arranged in the shape of an arrow. The best part is that you can walk for 2 km before seeing another sign- they just assume that you know not to turn off of the road.
So our first day, we planned a 30 km walk accross a flat desert-like area, and found out later once we had arrived, that it was actually 40! (The guide books and markers usually post incorrect distances.) We spent a wonderful evening with some Brazilians and in the morning planned a 25 km walk. Again, the guides decived us and we walked 40.
Our third day we managed to walk an actual 25 km, and realized that only 3 days into our 2 week long Camino, we had managed to cover 1/3 of the distance!
The Spanish people are a predictable mix of reactions. While the younger generation could care less, the elderly come up to us and say, "Buen Camino!" and offer us sweets and other encouragment.
Although it is a brutal walk, it offers many rewarding opportunities to connect with international people and locals alike.