Chantal in Sevilla… Again

The Uber ride back to Sevilla was only about twenty minutes - hard to comprehend when it’s a full day of walking! I made it back to the Nomad Hostel early and parked myself in the square nearby to regroup and come up with a plan.

As I sat sipping my café con leche, I decided to head to the beach in Cádiz, about a two-hour train ride away. Six days there felt like the right amount of time to fully unwind from my Camino attempt. Then I booked a flight home. Not wanting to return to Sevilla for a third time, I opted for an overnight bus from Cádiz to Lisbon and grabbed a flight from there to Toronto via Amsterdam.

By the time my bed at the Hostel was ready, I was so exhausted I crashed for a four-hour nap before venturing out for food and to sort out laundry. While waiting, I was asked to vacate several different common areas, and finally decided enough. I was tired, in pain, and kept feeling like I was in the way. I ditched the hostel and booked a hotel for the next two nights before heading to Cádiz a little earlier than planned.

The next morning, I made an epic forty-five-minute trek to my hotel (which should have been an easy twenty-minute walk) and arranged for a medic to come and check my ankle. The alternative was going to the emergency room, and since I could put some weight on it, I figured it wasn’t fractured. I just wanted clear instructions on how to look after it. When the medics arrived, they weren’t sure they had the right hotel room, but after one glance at my foot they laughed and said, “Never mind. You’re the patient!”

It turned out to be a moderate to severe sprain. I needed to stay off it for at least ten days, and no walking with a heavy pack for at least six weeks. Since that covered the rest of my trip, I felt validated that I’d made the right call. The medics and I chatted in a mix of Spanish and English, and when I complimented the senior medic on her English, she was so happy she gave me a hug!

I spent the rest of that first day napping and recovering, only venturing out for a quick dinner at the hotel restaurant.

The following day, I spread out and truly enjoyed some solitude - time to read, journal, and think. I’d already booked a hostel in Cádiz, so I knew I should soak up the quiet while I could. I’ve learned I’m an extroverted introvert: I can be social, but I only recharge solo.

The next afternoon, I took the train to Cádiz. After check-in and two flights of stairs, (because, of course), I settled into my dorm, greeted by a smiling face and a cheerful “hi!” from the third-level bunk. Thankfully, the hostel had accommodated my lower-bunk request, otherwise, I might never have left the room!

Being back among people again was a bit of a sensory overload. I’d forgotten how loud shared spaces can feel when you’re still recalibrating. Part of me wanted to retreat, but that night, I met Chloe, the smiling face and cheerful voice from the top bunk, and she was a breath of fresh air. Her easygoing nature and free-spirited vibe put me instantly at ease. Suddenly, I wasn’t just enduring my stay in Cádiz, I was enjoying it.

Still, I knew my limits. I decided to head home a little earlier than planned. My cat (and my couch) were calling, and once I’d changed my flight and bus tickets, I felt settled and steady again.

Hasta la proxima vez!