Disgusting and embarrassing things I did along the way

So you can feel better about yourself.

A non-exhaustive list in no particular order.

More than 600 miles in.

Also, FYI, I always have baby wipes, hand sanitizer, and biodegradable soap on hand.

This could be TMI

• I was trying to hang like a bear and my mouth was open and a bug got into my throat and I tried to cough it up but it was too deep so I had to swallow it.
• I got into my own poop (with shoes)
• I have poop on my hands
• On different occasions I have peed on my shoes, socks and bare feet.
• One time a group of us hikers were trying to fit a bunch of backpacks into the back of a car and my brain thought «just make the backpacks spoonable» but my mouth said «just make the backpacks 69» which was too vulgar for the situation.
• I have farted without other hikers being able to hear me, both while awake and asleep.
• I didn’t eat or drink enough for 3 days and then I felt bad because I obviously wasn’t taking care of myself.
• On two separate occasions (at least?), other hikers caught me peeing in the woods.
• I caught another hiker pooping in the woods
• My boyfriend visited me in Damascus and after we hugged for the first time, he smelled BO and decided to take a shower. Turns out it wasn’t him who smelled it. Good thing I had just gotten out of the shower when he arrived.
• That same day I wore a knee-length dress since he brought me clothes from home. When I saw my hiking friends, they spent the first few minutes debating what was wrong with my legs (probably heat rash).

There are probably other things I’ve blocked out of my brain, but I think you get the idea. We are human bodies in a new and difficult environment and we do the best we can. Shit happens! It’s not all magnificent views and gentle descents.

These 600 miles have been an incredible experience filled with so much wonder, awe, success, community, and obstacles overcome that it has been worth anything gross or embarrassing.

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