It has begun and the nerves are running amok

A long flight via Singapore and Munich and my body cannot decide if it is day or night. The nerves are running amok but this is the way I react to a new country and I do not speak the language. I have a fear of getting lost so my way to sort this is to get up early and walk when there is no one around. Not that I was not awake very, very early as my body time clock thinks I should be up - it is still dark. Some elderly men also wandered the streets in the early hours playing their tin whistles, not sure why or how many bars had been visited along the way. The hotel nightwatchman nods and smiles as I head out, I know what he must be thinking. The streets are still dark but plenty of light to show my way and many young revellers making their way home, it is 5am.

Head up towards the majestic stone Cathedral sitting quietly on the rocky hill looking down towards the river. This is where I need to go. The first camino shell and yellow arrow, comforting. I wander down the pebbled pathway past the tourist office and down the steep, stone narrow steps still following the yellow signs. I am starting to feel a little less panicked. The morning sun is starting to rise and the city comes to life. I am now sure of my walk directions for tomorrow, everything will be OK for the 30klm walk. The remainder of the day will be spent as a tourist.

The first day is always the hardest.