I’m hesitant to write this post, but I’m trying to share this experience and the bad is part of it too. In addition to the spell of bad weather, we’ve had a spell of bad people as well. First, a few nights ago most of the other pilgrims in my albergue stayed up late to watch the Madrid/Germany soccer game. When the match was over and everyone was coming upstairs, an eastern european man that I had walked with for a bit that day tried to climb in to my bunk with me. I was feeling a bit sick and had gone to bed early and I was very clear that I wanted him to leave. He wasn’t aggressive but on this pilgrimage our bunks are the only ‘space’ we can really call ours, if just for a night. There were two Italians also in the room (one of which has become a good friend) and an old german man who together dissolved the situation.

And then last night over 400 euros were stolen from various pilgrims in the albergue, including 20 from me and 200 from my American friends. I keep most of my money on my body at all times and just put enough for the day in an outside pocket (which was taken). My friends were sharing a small room with just two german women and had counted their money the night before putting it in a hidden pocket inside their rucksack. This morning no one realized they had been robbed until they stopped for coffee and had no money to pay. They think it was the german women but there is no way to prove it, and now they’ve taken a taxi to get away from the prosecution of many angry pilgrims.

I want to be very clear that I do not feel threatened, even after these two incidents. I am always within the presence of other pilgrims who I have either shared a meal or a good conversation with. I am always in public places and I refuse to let this put me in a state of fear or intimidation. So please, loving parents, don’t worry too much, knowing I am in the presence of many good men and women who especially look out for single women traveling.

But what is really affecting me is just the fact that even here, on a holy pilgrimage, there are ‘bad’ people. It is very disturbing to me that I have come here to get away from negative people, and even here these things happen. I felt that I needed to take time off from a job I loved partly because I was starting to expect less of people after being lied to and disrespected by construction laborers. I want to expect the best of people. It is hard for me to accept when people intentionally harm others. But this is a continuation of my lesson. Be more guarded, but remain open. Protect others by protecting myself.

While 98% of the people I have met here have been interesting, wholesome, and friendly, like real life, there are a few bad eggs. It helps to know we can band together, and watch out for each other. Word of the robbery traveled faster than we did today. The hospitaleros that run the albergues have been warned all along the line. And I warn other women to keep distance from the creepy guy. We’re all in this together. I can not understand why these people are walking, but it doesn’t matter at the end. Everyone’s Camino is their own. And it was after all another beautiful morning.