Bubble and Squeak.....


We met Juanita and Cameron (Queensland, Australia) on our first night on the Camino; Refuge Orisson to be specific.  We were bunk mates along with Teresa and Mike (Florida).  The six of us shared three bunks in a room about the size of one of those metal outdoor storage buildings you often see driving through rural areas in North Carolina.  Close quarters.  We all enjoyed a wonderful first night’s sleep on the trail.  Not so much, but as happens on the Camino, you make some great friends in a short period of time.  

We knew right away that we liked Juanita and Cameron because, like us, they had their first beer before noon on that first day.  We sort of consider it our reward for having walked so much.  Okay, the first day was under 5 miles but let’s not get judgmental.  So, for the last two weeks, we’ve had the great pleasure of beers, dinners and the occasional gin and tonic with Juanita and Cameron.  And boy have we laughed. Loudly.  All right, many beers and gin and tonics.  Truly it’s medicinal because if you’re laughing you’re not thinking about how sore your joints might be or whether the blisters on your feet have popped.  Reader’s Digest had it right all along.

Last night, our new friends introduced us to the term Bubble and Squeak.  For those not from Australia, which is most everyone, Bubble and Squeak is sort of our equivalent of dinner leftovers reheated for breakfast but with the addition of bacon.  Well boom!  What a brilliant idea.  Who wouldn’t like Bubble and Squeak?!  So there will never be anymore leftovers eaten at our house: from here forward it will be Bubble and Squeak.  

This trip has been full of Bubble and Squeak moments.  You meet some great people from the world over and while everyone is different, they’re pretty much all the same.  Wherever they’re from, whatever they do for a living, whether young or old, they’re usually all walking with backpacks, water bottles, blistered feet and aching joints and they’re walking for reasons they might not fully understand or appreciate.  But in the end, everybody on this trail is a Pilgrim so everyone is  sort of the same … which is nice.  So, three takeaways: (1) truth is, we’re all Pilgrims whether walking the Camino or walking from the car to the grocery store; (2) laughter is the best medicine; (3) bacon makes everything taste better. 

Today is our last day on the Camino with Juanita and Cameron as our stops from here out will not overlap.  It sure has been a blast and we’ll miss them, but feel fortunate to have made their acquaintance.  Here’s to a safe journey for our Queensland friends … and we genuinely hope you find another Bernie.

 Pictures of Cameron and Juanita and our new friends from New Zealand below. 

Buen Camino
(Steve is the author today)

Comments

TheWrightWay said…
You are dead right.... everything is better with bacon.
Loved every minute with you two. Thanks for creating memories with us.... here’s to bubble & squeak, g&t’s (Spanish style of course),sore feet and crossing “Our Way’s” again sometime soon.
Ps. Promise we will send TimTams.... with instructions! Buen Camino (Camino Way’s Baby ����)
September 17, 2019 at 12:17 PM
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