I have traveled extensively by myself, both domestically and internationally, since I was 15 years old. I do my research, learn what I need to know to be safe and then, I go. I'm not the most energetic tourist there is; I go see what I want to see, but also enjoy just having quiet time in the foreign setting.
Nothing in my previous travel experiences could have prepared me for my reaction to being in Spain.
Nothing.
Although things fell into place quite nicely, if you look at it that way, the one thing that went awry caused me to spiral into a vortex that I seemed emotionally unable to break free of.
I arrived in Spain on October 18th, although I spent all of that day traveling. I was really tired.
By October 20th, I was ready to come home.
Truly? A trip that I have planned, researched and worked to pull together for over a year and after just one day there and I'm ready to throw in the towel and go home?
Yep.
I didn't throw in the towel....but I felt very lonely, very alone, very anxious, and horribly homesick.
In retrospect, I realize that in my previous international travels I had one of two things, neither of which I had on this trip. A guide or a car of my own.
Not having either of these didn't work well for me. I felt rudderless, powerless, confused and anxious.
I enjoyed the sightseeing I did but I wasn't there to be a tourist; I was there to walk. The longer I was unable to walk (initially because of not having my debit card and later, because it rained so hard for so many days) the worse I felt. It was like I was swirling in a vortex and didn't have the strength to get out.
Each day, I would make plans to go to Sarria or to Finisterre or to Lugo...or anywhere and at least walk some of the Camino. Each evening, I would be so beat down, I just didn't know what to do.
It took nine days before I was able to sleep regular hours. The food I was eating was largely carbohydrates (bocadillas) so, in addition to not getting nearly enough sleep, I'm sure my blood sugar was out of whack, as well.
Coming home a week early worked best for me. The Camino has been there for hundreds or thousands of years. That it didn't work for me this time doesn't meant that at some point, it won't happen. I will let that day play out as it should.
At this point, I have no desire to return to Spain. I thought the magic was there. For some people, it is.
For me, it was not.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Domingo 20 Octubre 2013
I'm sitting in a bus station in Burgos. Not so surprising. Pilgrims take buses all the time. But the bus I'm taking isn't going where I originally thought it would take me. No.
Why not?
I am a very careful person. I don't have anyone to protect me and really never have. So, I am SO careful with my belongings, my money, my purse, my keys, my phone.
But, sometimes when we are tired, we do things that greatly affect how our life path is going to go. And, what I did yesterday morning has changed my plans considerably.
When stuffing unnecessary things into my duffle so I could take it to the post office and mail it forward to myself to pick up when I arrive in Santiago, I put my fanny pack in it, since I'm not comfy wearing it. I
pulled the stuff out of the credit card slots, failing to remember that only nonessential stuff was in those slots. My credit card and debit card were in a zippered slot.
So my credit and debit cards got mailed to Santiago with my duffle bag. I didn't realize it until about an hour later. I went back to the oficina de correos to see if I could retrieve my box, but they closed at 1pm.
I was beside myself with worry for awhile. Now I just accept that it is what it is. I toured the Burgos cathedral but am unsure if I saw El Cid. I think I did but there were a lot of tombs there. It was beautiful and huge, ornate and gilded. I loved the cloisters.
I didn't linger in the art show display. I was wearing clogs and was ready to go back to my hotel. I was going to take a city tour on the train but it was too late when I got out of the cathedral. I didn't think it would take so long but I was probably on there an hour and a half. Went back to my room and stayed there.
So, as you can see, I lost my train of though and rambled off my topic. I figured I had two choices. Take the night train to Sarria as I'd planned and take my chances walking and having my money last. Or take the bus to Santiago and retrieve my box with my credit & debit cards so I don't have to worry.
My choice: go to Santiago and wait for them to arrive. I've emailed Badalada to tell them my box is coming. I've also emailed them to tell them I am coming today. No response. At least, none that has come through.
I took it easy this morning. Took a sleeping poll at 11pm last night, fell asleep immediately, and got up at 9am. So 9+ hours sleep last night and 12+ the night before. By the time I start my Camino, I should be rested.
The upside to going to Santiago today is this: I'm certain my pack is too heavy. I'm going to ditch my clothes since I've yet to be cold and also my iPhone. It is heavy and my iPod is fine. Perhaps not enough room for photos but who gives a hoot.
My bus leaves at 13:15, about 45 minutes from now. 8 hour trip. I have no reservations in Santiago and don't know if Badalada will let me in. I tell myself 'don't worry, God will provide.' And God will. God got me into this, God will get me through it.
Just strapping on my backpack and walking from the hotel to the estacion de autobus made me feel better. Being proactive instead of victimized.
I'm not a victim. I'm Peregrina Juliana.
(I wrote this and it's been in my folder. I still agree I am not a victim...but being in Spain did not work for me. So, I'm not peregrina Juliana...I'm just a tourist who wound up not really enjoying the destination)
Why not?
I am a very careful person. I don't have anyone to protect me and really never have. So, I am SO careful with my belongings, my money, my purse, my keys, my phone.
But, sometimes when we are tired, we do things that greatly affect how our life path is going to go. And, what I did yesterday morning has changed my plans considerably.
When stuffing unnecessary things into my duffle so I could take it to the post office and mail it forward to myself to pick up when I arrive in Santiago, I put my fanny pack in it, since I'm not comfy wearing it. I
pulled the stuff out of the credit card slots, failing to remember that only nonessential stuff was in those slots. My credit card and debit card were in a zippered slot.
So my credit and debit cards got mailed to Santiago with my duffle bag. I didn't realize it until about an hour later. I went back to the oficina de correos to see if I could retrieve my box, but they closed at 1pm.
I was beside myself with worry for awhile. Now I just accept that it is what it is. I toured the Burgos cathedral but am unsure if I saw El Cid. I think I did but there were a lot of tombs there. It was beautiful and huge, ornate and gilded. I loved the cloisters.
I didn't linger in the art show display. I was wearing clogs and was ready to go back to my hotel. I was going to take a city tour on the train but it was too late when I got out of the cathedral. I didn't think it would take so long but I was probably on there an hour and a half. Went back to my room and stayed there.
So, as you can see, I lost my train of though and rambled off my topic. I figured I had two choices. Take the night train to Sarria as I'd planned and take my chances walking and having my money last. Or take the bus to Santiago and retrieve my box with my credit & debit cards so I don't have to worry.
My choice: go to Santiago and wait for them to arrive. I've emailed Badalada to tell them my box is coming. I've also emailed them to tell them I am coming today. No response. At least, none that has come through.
I took it easy this morning. Took a sleeping poll at 11pm last night, fell asleep immediately, and got up at 9am. So 9+ hours sleep last night and 12+ the night before. By the time I start my Camino, I should be rested.
The upside to going to Santiago today is this: I'm certain my pack is too heavy. I'm going to ditch my clothes since I've yet to be cold and also my iPhone. It is heavy and my iPod is fine. Perhaps not enough room for photos but who gives a hoot.
My bus leaves at 13:15, about 45 minutes from now. 8 hour trip. I have no reservations in Santiago and don't know if Badalada will let me in. I tell myself 'don't worry, God will provide.' And God will. God got me into this, God will get me through it.
Just strapping on my backpack and walking from the hotel to the estacion de autobus made me feel better. Being proactive instead of victimized.
I'm not a victim. I'm Peregrina Juliana.
(I wrote this and it's been in my folder. I still agree I am not a victim...but being in Spain did not work for me. So, I'm not peregrina Juliana...I'm just a tourist who wound up not really enjoying the destination)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Changes
As the time to travel to Spain draws near, some of my original plans have changed.
I was initially going to start walking on Oct. 1, 2013, which would have been my Mom's 80th birthday.
In trying to make my dreams and reality segue as smoothly as possibly, I realized I needed to push my trip off until after Oct. 15th. People on tax extension have until October 15th to file. I'm a self-employed tax lady and need to be here to serve my clients.
My initial plan was to start my walk in Roncesvalles, Spain. I now plan to start in Sarria. People start at various places along the Camino Frances. Where people start depends on how much time they have to spend walking. I had planned to be gone for 7 weeks but as spring moved into to summer and September was drawing close, I knew that I couldn't stay gone for 7 weeks. I don't even want to.
I have a business that needs me almost daily. I have a greyhound who loves our morning walks. So, between these two, I decided that 3 weeks was long enough. Honestly, being gone from my Gallagher dog for even three weeks just sounds awful! Once I begin, though, it will be fine.
When arriving at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, if you have walked at least the last 100km (68 miles) from Sarria to Santiago, you will receive a compostela signifying your achievement.
Even at the slow pace that I intend to walk, I should be able to walk from Sarria to Santiago in a week. It will be leisurely, enjoyable and liberating. The weather should be glorious and the crowds thinned down. I expect at least 50% of my time to be spent walking in rain. I have bought good rain gear.
One final change to my itinerary: My Mom's ashes were to travel with me in a special necklace designed to carry the ashes of a loved one. Since purchasing that necklace, my Dad has also passed away. So, the ashes of both my Mom and my Dad will be around my neck in a new necklace that I bought and had engraved. Together, we will make this journey of discovery.
It will be a special time, indeed.
I was initially going to start walking on Oct. 1, 2013, which would have been my Mom's 80th birthday.
In trying to make my dreams and reality segue as smoothly as possibly, I realized I needed to push my trip off until after Oct. 15th. People on tax extension have until October 15th to file. I'm a self-employed tax lady and need to be here to serve my clients.
My initial plan was to start my walk in Roncesvalles, Spain. I now plan to start in Sarria. People start at various places along the Camino Frances. Where people start depends on how much time they have to spend walking. I had planned to be gone for 7 weeks but as spring moved into to summer and September was drawing close, I knew that I couldn't stay gone for 7 weeks. I don't even want to.
I have a business that needs me almost daily. I have a greyhound who loves our morning walks. So, between these two, I decided that 3 weeks was long enough. Honestly, being gone from my Gallagher dog for even three weeks just sounds awful! Once I begin, though, it will be fine.
When arriving at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, if you have walked at least the last 100km (68 miles) from Sarria to Santiago, you will receive a compostela signifying your achievement.
Even at the slow pace that I intend to walk, I should be able to walk from Sarria to Santiago in a week. It will be leisurely, enjoyable and liberating. The weather should be glorious and the crowds thinned down. I expect at least 50% of my time to be spent walking in rain. I have bought good rain gear.
One final change to my itinerary: My Mom's ashes were to travel with me in a special necklace designed to carry the ashes of a loved one. Since purchasing that necklace, my Dad has also passed away. So, the ashes of both my Mom and my Dad will be around my neck in a new necklace that I bought and had engraved. Together, we will make this journey of discovery.
It will be a special time, indeed.
Walking To My Own Drummer
It's easy to get caught up in the feelings, opinions and experiences of others when stepping into something new. This has been very true for me as I plan my trip to Spain.
When I first decided to go to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, I had every intention of walking as much of the 800km as I could. As I did more research, chatted with other pilgrims online and searched my own soul, I realized it was not a realistic goal for me.
But, realizing it and changing my plans were two different things altogether.
Why?
Because of postings that I read on Camino forums where 'tourist pilgrims' are bashed and ridiculed.
There are some who have walked the entire Camino Frances, and to them, anyone doing anything else is a sham. They are vocal in expressing their disdain for tourist pilgrims.
For a non-athlete like me, someone who just wants time alone to walk, to think and to be one with God, this kind of unnecessary judgmentalism was disconcerting. It took months for me to realize that I answer to no one. If my Camino experience doesn't mirror that of the best of them, so what?
My plan now is to have no plans. I'm going to Spain on October 17th and returning home on November 7th. What happens between those two dates is up in the air. I will walk, I will reflect, I will enjoy life but most of all, I will spend time writing.
You see, the walking is secondary. What happens when I walk is that my soul is open to Spirit.
My goal is to be whole, to seek truth and to put words on paper. And, to do that, I need to be unburdened from society, from demands and from routine. Finding myself while losing myself.
How that will unfold is still unknown. As a tourist pilgrim, I will find my own way.
When I first decided to go to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, I had every intention of walking as much of the 800km as I could. As I did more research, chatted with other pilgrims online and searched my own soul, I realized it was not a realistic goal for me.
But, realizing it and changing my plans were two different things altogether.
Why?
Because of postings that I read on Camino forums where 'tourist pilgrims' are bashed and ridiculed.
There are some who have walked the entire Camino Frances, and to them, anyone doing anything else is a sham. They are vocal in expressing their disdain for tourist pilgrims.
For a non-athlete like me, someone who just wants time alone to walk, to think and to be one with God, this kind of unnecessary judgmentalism was disconcerting. It took months for me to realize that I answer to no one. If my Camino experience doesn't mirror that of the best of them, so what?
My plan now is to have no plans. I'm going to Spain on October 17th and returning home on November 7th. What happens between those two dates is up in the air. I will walk, I will reflect, I will enjoy life but most of all, I will spend time writing.
You see, the walking is secondary. What happens when I walk is that my soul is open to Spirit.
My goal is to be whole, to seek truth and to put words on paper. And, to do that, I need to be unburdened from society, from demands and from routine. Finding myself while losing myself.
How that will unfold is still unknown. As a tourist pilgrim, I will find my own way.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Walk
Lately on the Facebook APOC forum, we've been discussing being Snail Pilgrims. We're going to walk our own pace and not worry about how far we go. Stop and smell the roses.
Conquering My Fears....And There Are Plenty To Conquer!
Planning a walk on the Camino is overwhelming. There is so much to learn, so much I need to know, and so much that I need to figure out. Things like:
- Can my body handle five weeks of walking?
- How can I survive with only the few things I'll be carrying in my backpack?
- Where will I sleep?
- I don't speak Spanish.
- Can I really be gone from home for five or six weeks?
- What if I get lost?
- What if I get hurt?
- What if something happens at home?
Of all of these questions and fears, only the first two continue to be question marks in my mind.
I don't know if my body can handle it. From what I know of my body, it will be very difficult. Being on my feet for a few hours has ill effects on my lower back and sciatica. This is my greatest concern.
I tend to overpack wherever I go, so to limit myself to 10 pounds of stuff will be a challenge, but I know I must. I will trust that what I need will be provided.
- Can my body handle five weeks of walking?
- How can I survive with only the few things I'll be carrying in my backpack?
- Where will I sleep?
- I don't speak Spanish.
- Can I really be gone from home for five or six weeks?
- What if I get lost?
- What if I get hurt?
- What if something happens at home?
Of all of these questions and fears, only the first two continue to be question marks in my mind.
I don't know if my body can handle it. From what I know of my body, it will be very difficult. Being on my feet for a few hours has ill effects on my lower back and sciatica. This is my greatest concern.
I tend to overpack wherever I go, so to limit myself to 10 pounds of stuff will be a challenge, but I know I must. I will trust that what I need will be provided.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
From the Top Down
It can be cold in Spain. It can also be very hot. I'm going at a time of year where I will most likely experience a little of both. Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended.
I look good in a hat but because I've worn my hair short for nearly 30 years, wearing a hat has two drawbacks.
First, I look like a cancer patient when I have a hat on because my hair is so short.
Second, when the hat comes off, I have tee-pee hair.
Neither of these are issues are dear to me...so what to do? I have to wear a hat...especially on the meseta. There is little shade on the meseta and I will have to protect my head and face.
My solution was to just grow my hair out. Since 1986, I've loved having short hair and never intended to grow it out again. Never.
In May 2012, I had my last haircut. Surprisingly enough, I love my hair longer and may not wear it short ever again. If not for planning my Camino walk, I may never have experienced long hair again.
The Camino is working its charms on me already.
Buen Camino!
I look good in a hat but because I've worn my hair short for nearly 30 years, wearing a hat has two drawbacks.
First, I look like a cancer patient when I have a hat on because my hair is so short.
Second, when the hat comes off, I have tee-pee hair.
Neither of these are issues are dear to me...so what to do? I have to wear a hat...especially on the meseta. There is little shade on the meseta and I will have to protect my head and face.
My solution was to just grow my hair out. Since 1986, I've loved having short hair and never intended to grow it out again. Never.
In May 2012, I had my last haircut. Surprisingly enough, I love my hair longer and may not wear it short ever again. If not for planning my Camino walk, I may never have experienced long hair again.
The Camino is working its charms on me already.
Buen Camino!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Fulfilling Promises.
I always promised my Mom I'd take her to Europe. I also promised her that one day, I'd buy her a convertible Mercedes. Neither of these came to pass because my Mom died in 2009 at the age of 74.
On what would have been her 80th birthday, October 1st, 2013, I will put my boots on the ground and begin walking the Camino de Santiago in Roncesvalles, Spain. Mom's ashes will be with me as I walk.
Although our relationship was troubled at worst and guarded at best, I know she did the best she could. I tried to do right by her, also, and although Spain is not an experience we will share in person, we will share it in a different way: As a daughter who has a spirit of faith and adventure and who carries the spirit of her mother next to her heart.
Carrying the ashes of a loved one on board an airplane is regulated. Rather than jump through all the TSA hoops, I elected instead to buy a necklace specifically designed to carry the cremains of a loved one. The necklace I bought is a silver "8". I chose this symbol because "8" is an auspicious number according to Chinese principles of feng shui. Will it help me? I couldn't say, but it certainly can't hurt!
I am so glad I am able to take this journey and that my Mom's spirit will be with me. I will fulfill a promise to her even as I embark on the greatest adventure of my life.
And, although I will never be able to buy her that convertible Mercedes, I did buy myself a convertible BMW this week. I am sure my Mom would be thrilled about that! I know that I am.
Buen Camino!
For cremation jewelry, see Everlasting Memories website:
.http://www.evrmemories.com/cremation-jewelry-s/2.htm
On what would have been her 80th birthday, October 1st, 2013, I will put my boots on the ground and begin walking the Camino de Santiago in Roncesvalles, Spain. Mom's ashes will be with me as I walk.
Although our relationship was troubled at worst and guarded at best, I know she did the best she could. I tried to do right by her, also, and although Spain is not an experience we will share in person, we will share it in a different way: As a daughter who has a spirit of faith and adventure and who carries the spirit of her mother next to her heart.
Carrying the ashes of a loved one on board an airplane is regulated. Rather than jump through all the TSA hoops, I elected instead to buy a necklace specifically designed to carry the cremains of a loved one. The necklace I bought is a silver "8". I chose this symbol because "8" is an auspicious number according to Chinese principles of feng shui. Will it help me? I couldn't say, but it certainly can't hurt!
I am so glad I am able to take this journey and that my Mom's spirit will be with me. I will fulfill a promise to her even as I embark on the greatest adventure of my life.
And, although I will never be able to buy her that convertible Mercedes, I did buy myself a convertible BMW this week. I am sure my Mom would be thrilled about that! I know that I am.
Buen Camino!
For cremation jewelry, see Everlasting Memories website:
.http://www.evrmemories.com/cremation-jewelry-s/2.htm
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Coincidences?
I've had a few a-ha moments in the past few months. My intuition is guiding me to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain and a few things have struck me as coincidental. Coincidences that seem to lead back to my bond with the Camino.
#1 - I had a new client whose name was Santiago. I've never met anyone with the name Santiago. Whether it was a sign or not, I choose to believe that it is. Santiago is the city that pilgrims walk from many different points in Europe to reach. Santiago is where Saint James in said to be interred.
#2 - I had another new client with a name corresponding to a town on the Camino. His name was Najera. Najera is a small town on the Camino Frances route that I will walk.
#3 - A fox went running through my back yard, jumped my fence and was gone. After I am finished with my Camino, I plan to go spend a couple of days at the Little Fox House which is the home of Tracy Saunders, and is a place to go after walking the Camino to have a little retreat, time to reflex, decompress and relax. http://pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com/p/casa-do-raposito-little-fox-house.html
#4 - I plan to fly from Kansas City to Madrid. I am taking some of my Mom's ashes with me because I'd always told my Mom I would take her to Europe one day. I am making good on that promise and she will be with me in spirit. The airport code for Madrid is MAD. My Mom's initials - MAD.
I am sure more coincidences will happen between now and October and I will post them here. For now, I am grateful that things are coming together for me; that I have the desire and motivation to make this journey happen and that I have a life that will allow me to follow my bliss.
Buen Camino!
#1 - I had a new client whose name was Santiago. I've never met anyone with the name Santiago. Whether it was a sign or not, I choose to believe that it is. Santiago is the city that pilgrims walk from many different points in Europe to reach. Santiago is where Saint James in said to be interred.
#2 - I had another new client with a name corresponding to a town on the Camino. His name was Najera. Najera is a small town on the Camino Frances route that I will walk.
#3 - A fox went running through my back yard, jumped my fence and was gone. After I am finished with my Camino, I plan to go spend a couple of days at the Little Fox House which is the home of Tracy Saunders, and is a place to go after walking the Camino to have a little retreat, time to reflex, decompress and relax. http://pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com/p/casa-do-raposito-little-fox-house.html
#4 - I plan to fly from Kansas City to Madrid. I am taking some of my Mom's ashes with me because I'd always told my Mom I would take her to Europe one day. I am making good on that promise and she will be with me in spirit. The airport code for Madrid is MAD. My Mom's initials - MAD.
I am sure more coincidences will happen between now and October and I will post them here. For now, I am grateful that things are coming together for me; that I have the desire and motivation to make this journey happen and that I have a life that will allow me to follow my bliss.
Buen Camino!
Pick a Pack, But Not Just Any Pack!
I have read and read and read about backpacks. I read opinions, I read reviews and I've spent countless hours on the REI website as well as the Osprey website. Making notes, comparing features, comparing weight and whether or not different packs come in a torso size that will fit me. I have a short torso.
There are backpacks of all kinds that come in size small; but, these backpacks are not in stock anywhere closer to me than Bloomington, Minnesota. I would have driven there if I'd had to but ultimately, didn't have to.
I knew, though, that I couldn't just order a backpack online and hope that it would fit. My combination of short torso and wide hips made it a sure bet that something would be ill-fitting. I knew I had to try them on in person with the assistance of a salesperson who knows backpacks.
I had good luck at Backwoods in Overland Park, but it took an hour of trying on packs to finally find one that would work. The Osprey Exos that I wanted just didn't fit. What fits in the hips didn't fit in the shoulders and vice versa. I was beginning to wonder if I would leave empty handed.
I settled on a beautiful Osprey Kyte 46 in medium, but it fits me well. It's comfortable but it is actually way heavier than I'd wanted it to be.
You see, the heavier the pack itself is, the less I can put in it before it reaches a weight that is the maximum that I can carry. A pack at 3.5 lbs is pretty hefty.
I had no choice. No choice except drive to Bloomington and hope the REI there would have something else.
If I wind up needing to do that later in the year, I will. But for now, I have a pack and I can train with it and get accustomed to carrying pounds on my back.
The backpack will be near and dear to me for many many steps. It's important for it to fit and be comfortable. My Osprey Kyte 46 seems to accomplish both.
Buen Camino.
There are backpacks of all kinds that come in size small; but, these backpacks are not in stock anywhere closer to me than Bloomington, Minnesota. I would have driven there if I'd had to but ultimately, didn't have to.
I knew, though, that I couldn't just order a backpack online and hope that it would fit. My combination of short torso and wide hips made it a sure bet that something would be ill-fitting. I knew I had to try them on in person with the assistance of a salesperson who knows backpacks.
I had good luck at Backwoods in Overland Park, but it took an hour of trying on packs to finally find one that would work. The Osprey Exos that I wanted just didn't fit. What fits in the hips didn't fit in the shoulders and vice versa. I was beginning to wonder if I would leave empty handed.
I settled on a beautiful Osprey Kyte 46 in medium, but it fits me well. It's comfortable but it is actually way heavier than I'd wanted it to be.
You see, the heavier the pack itself is, the less I can put in it before it reaches a weight that is the maximum that I can carry. A pack at 3.5 lbs is pretty hefty.
I had no choice. No choice except drive to Bloomington and hope the REI there would have something else.
If I wind up needing to do that later in the year, I will. But for now, I have a pack and I can train with it and get accustomed to carrying pounds on my back.
The backpack will be near and dear to me for many many steps. It's important for it to fit and be comfortable. My Osprey Kyte 46 seems to accomplish both.
Buen Camino.
Decisions, Decisions.
There are so many things to figure out, understand and decide when planning a Camino walk. Since I have not yet walked it, I don't have the gift of hindsight. All I know is what I've learned and what I've done so far.
There is such an overwhelming amount of information available. This is both good and bad. Good in that most anything I need to know, someone has answered the question somewhere. Seek and ye shall find!
The bad part of this is that it's easy to get caught up and bogged down in information. At some point, is it information overload?
I believe so. At some point, a person needs to stop reading and start doing. I am at that point.
I am sure there are still things I will learn between now and October 1st but at this point, I need to start getting my body in shape. I am not now nor have I ever been athletic. This is not an athletic trip for me. This is a journey of spirituality.
But, even though it's a spiritual trip, my body still needs to be able to take it. Day after day, walk walk walk. This will be an undertaking that my body will have to endure...and I need to be sure that I've done what I can to help it be ready.
So, for now, I'm edging back on research. I have two Camino books here but am not reading them. I am, however, studying a book on Spanish and will be taking a Spanish Immersion class next month. Other than learning Spanish and getting in the habit of walking miles and miles each day, I think I've done enough research.
I've got my backpack, my boots, my trekking poles; there are only a few other items I will need.
What I need most is to be able to walk 5 - 10 miles a day. No more research. It time to walk. And, God willing, I will be ready for it.
Buen Camino!
There is such an overwhelming amount of information available. This is both good and bad. Good in that most anything I need to know, someone has answered the question somewhere. Seek and ye shall find!
The bad part of this is that it's easy to get caught up and bogged down in information. At some point, is it information overload?
I believe so. At some point, a person needs to stop reading and start doing. I am at that point.
I am sure there are still things I will learn between now and October 1st but at this point, I need to start getting my body in shape. I am not now nor have I ever been athletic. This is not an athletic trip for me. This is a journey of spirituality.
But, even though it's a spiritual trip, my body still needs to be able to take it. Day after day, walk walk walk. This will be an undertaking that my body will have to endure...and I need to be sure that I've done what I can to help it be ready.
So, for now, I'm edging back on research. I have two Camino books here but am not reading them. I am, however, studying a book on Spanish and will be taking a Spanish Immersion class next month. Other than learning Spanish and getting in the habit of walking miles and miles each day, I think I've done enough research.
I've got my backpack, my boots, my trekking poles; there are only a few other items I will need.
What I need most is to be able to walk 5 - 10 miles a day. No more research. It time to walk. And, God willing, I will be ready for it.
Buen Camino!
My Research: It's Dynamic, Not Static
I'm reading everything I can get my hands on. As a solo traveler, knowledge is power. By reading so much, I tend to get a lot of redundant information. But, each person shares things uniquely and everything I read offers up various tidbits of information that will ultimately help me.
The plans I'd made initially, from the backpack I would carry to my flight destination in Spain, have changed several times...all because of the research I'm doing.
The APOC Forum on Facebook is one of the most helpful. Here is where actual pilgrims....veteran and hopefuls....share their insight, their fears and their blessings. https://www.facebook.com/groups/57453722347/
The APOC Website. Please join APOC and support their cause. You will get a free patch for your backpack and a free credencial to take on your journey: http://www.americanpilgrims.com/
The Camino de Santiago forum where answers to questions of all kinds can be found : http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/
Books I've read:
John Brierley's "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago"
Hape Kerkeling's "I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago"
Shirley Maclaine's "The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit"
Joyce Rupp's "Walk in a Relaxed Manner"
Susan Alcorn's "Camino Chronicles"
Cheryl Strayed's "Wild"
Jean-Christie Ashmore's "To Walk Far, Carry Less"
Conrad Rudolph's "Pilgrimage to the End of the World"
Blogs I follow:
Patricia Herr "Girls on the Way" is a wonderful day-by-day blog of their journey. http://www.girlsontheway.com/
Bill Bennett "PGSTheWay" is an Australian's journey. http://pgstheway.com/
And, of course, Emilio Estevez's movie, "The Way".
And, of course, Emilio Estevez's movie, "The Way".
I spend time reading & researching the Camino each and every day. This list is not inclusive; nor does it end here. I will update this from time to time.
Buen Camino!
Following My Intuition
I'm often asked what made me decide to plan a walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I really can't say. My original plan was to walk the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan, which is a pilgrimage of similar length to the Camino. On the Shikoku Pilgrimage, however, there is not an actual ending place as there is on the Camino pilgrimage. The Shikoku Pilgrimage takes the henro (pilgrim)on a circular journey around the island of Shikoku to visit each of the 88 main Buddhist temples. Being more of a Buddhist than a Christian, this pilgrimage speaks to me.
The Camino de Santiago, in contrast, begins in Saint Jean Pied-de-Port, France and moves across northern Spain until the peregrino (pilgrim) reaches the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela where the remains of Saint James are allegedly interred. People have been making this pilgrimage for hundreds of years. It's a 480-mile walk.
Something was pulling me to the Camino and I kept rebuffing it. I kept researching Shikoku. Intuition is a guiding force in my life, however, and I always trust that still, small voice of God. The pull was so strong. It kept putting things in front of me about the Camino and in early 2012, I acknowledged that I would walk the Camino instead of the Shikoku. I abandoned my research of Shikoku and turned my attention fully to the Camino.
I've long been loathe to visit Spain because of reports of how badly they treat their animals (bulls and galgos most notably) and I didn't want to give tourist dollars to a country that won't protect its animals.
But, trusting my intuition, I began my research on the Camino. I hunted the library for books, hunted for books via inter-library loan, watched videos on YouTube, found like-minded people and groups on Facebook, and discovering Blogs and websites. There is a lot of information about the Camino. Far more than on the Shikoku.
For me, a good chunk of the fun of a trip is the research I do prior to leaving home. I've been researching for well over a year now. I will walk the Camino in October 2013.
By planning this trip, I am following the same intuition that I followed when I made a quick trip to Wyoming in a snow storm to visit my Mom in January 2009. Had I not followed my intuition, I would never have seen her again. She died unexpectedly two months later. Intuition is a strong and powerful force. When it speaks, I listen.
Buen Camino!
The Camino de Santiago, in contrast, begins in Saint Jean Pied-de-Port, France and moves across northern Spain until the peregrino (pilgrim) reaches the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela where the remains of Saint James are allegedly interred. People have been making this pilgrimage for hundreds of years. It's a 480-mile walk.
Something was pulling me to the Camino and I kept rebuffing it. I kept researching Shikoku. Intuition is a guiding force in my life, however, and I always trust that still, small voice of God. The pull was so strong. It kept putting things in front of me about the Camino and in early 2012, I acknowledged that I would walk the Camino instead of the Shikoku. I abandoned my research of Shikoku and turned my attention fully to the Camino.
I've long been loathe to visit Spain because of reports of how badly they treat their animals (bulls and galgos most notably) and I didn't want to give tourist dollars to a country that won't protect its animals.
But, trusting my intuition, I began my research on the Camino. I hunted the library for books, hunted for books via inter-library loan, watched videos on YouTube, found like-minded people and groups on Facebook, and discovering Blogs and websites. There is a lot of information about the Camino. Far more than on the Shikoku.
For me, a good chunk of the fun of a trip is the research I do prior to leaving home. I've been researching for well over a year now. I will walk the Camino in October 2013.
By planning this trip, I am following the same intuition that I followed when I made a quick trip to Wyoming in a snow storm to visit my Mom in January 2009. Had I not followed my intuition, I would never have seen her again. She died unexpectedly two months later. Intuition is a strong and powerful force. When it speaks, I listen.
Buen Camino!
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