Hey everyone. I know, I know, I didn't post much, but I was too busy experiencing the camino to log on for extended periods of time.
When I returned from the camino, I was asked if I would give a homily/sermon at my home church. I received so much support from all of the members there at Trinity Lutheran, that I felt I had to share my experience with them.
I chose, as my topic, The Lessons of the Camino. I presented on August 8th, 2010. Several people requested that I post it here on the bog, so here goes. Let me know what you think. It looks long, but (in my humble opinion) it's worth the time to read it.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. I’ve heard this quote many times and always thought “It’s a good one, but doesn’t really apply to me.” Well after my camino, I know this quote to be true. On my camino, it rained twice while we were walking . The first time was on day two. The other was day 34 of 35. It was shocking to me to notice the difference in my own reactions. On day 2 I was miserable in the rain, I was cold, tired, and just plain grumpy, on day 34 I tilted my head to the sky to feel the rain on my face. But dancing in the rain, is just one of countless lessons the camino has to teach us.
A very wise woman that I met told us her interpretation of the camino, it went something like this. “The camino is not a stroll, it’s not about arriving somewhere. It’s walking, it’s feeling, it’s living.” Many people struggle at the beginning of the camino. I know I did. It’s hard to go from living your life at 65mph, to suddenly living at 3mph.
The camino is the ultimate metaphor for life. There’s the obvious, the camino is a path with one destination, Santiago, life is a path with one destination, because no matter what you believe, no one makes it out of this world alive. But the comparisons go so much deeper than that.
The camino is divided nicely into three parts, with a major city at the end of each third. A wonderful man from Brazil told us that when he was at his lowest point someone told him that the first third of the camino is all about your body; making sure that your feet are ok, your back, your knees. The second third is all about your mind, you’re walking along the flat straight meseta, you have a lot of time to think, and the last third is all about your heart or your soul, when you truly start to “get” the purpose of this camino. When he said that it made me think, that’s the way I live each day here at home, maybe not full thirds of my day, but 3 definite parts. The first is all about my body, getting ready for the day, doing my hair and make-up, getting dressed. The second part is all about my mind, teaching, lecturing, writing lessons. The third part of my day is all about my soul, me doing activities that will re-charge me, whether that’s reading a book, watching a movie, or going to the gym. As I thought more about this I realized that on my worst days, I never got that soul re-charge time. My mind time took it over, whether correcting papers, or by not letting go of something that happened during the day. The camino taught me to ALWAYS give yourself that time to recharge your soul.
The camino IS a path. In some spots the path is actually a paved 4-lane highway. In others it’s a gravel path, so overgrown with prickly weeds, that one person can barely make it through at a time. Life is the same way. Sometimes we’re on that 4-lane highway, with enough space to bring as many people with us as we like, but there are times in life where you have to walk alone, decisions that only you can make for yourself, and if you try to bring someone with you, they’ll just end up getting hurt. The trick in life, is knowing what those decisions are, and when to make them.
Everything I needed, I had to carry with me. I weighed my pack, which contained a full 50 ounce camelback water bladder, at the start of day 2. It weighed in at 12 kilos, approximately 26 lbs, only 11 lbs heavier than I had intended. I never weighed my pack at the end of my trek, but I’m guessing that it weighed in somewhere around 12 pounds. The camino makes you take stock, and you would be amazed at how little a person can live on for 40 days. In the end I had 1 extra set of clothes, my sandals, my pajamas, (my luxury item) a sarong, my sleep sack, a travel towel, 3 pairs of socks, contact solution, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Since I arrived back home I have been stream-lining my possessions. If I can live out of 1 35 liter pack, why do I have all of this stuff. It’s been quite a liberating experience. I suggest you try it. It doesn’t have to be all of your possessions, maybe start with your junk drawer, you never know what you might start.
There is a wonderful company all along the camino called Jacotrans. The wonderful people at Jacotrans, with transport your pack for you, for a small fee. Some days the walk was easy, flat or short. But some days the terrain was more challenging. Maybe there was a mountain in between you and the next city. No matter how light your pack is, not having it on these days, can make a huge difference. Life is the same way. Sometimes our load is light. But it’s good to remember that when that load gets heavy, or the road gets challenging, you don’t have to carry it yourself. You can give your load to someone else to help you. Whether that person is family, a friend, a co-worker, or God it pays to remember that help is there if you ask.
There were as many different packs as there were people. Some packs were smaller than your average kindergartener’s school bag, while some were larger than your average kindergartener. But the size of someone’s pack didn’t tell you anything about the size of their burden. Everyone carried different hardships with them, some visible, like the man walking with 2 prostetic legs. Some were not so visible, like the man walking the camino for his wife who died before ever getting the chance to walk it herself. It’s good to remember that a smile can hide a lot.
The biggest lesson that the camino taught me was the value of a healthy body. We all take our bodies for granted, until something goes wrong. The camino taught me the value of having a healthy body, and if something isn’t healthy, take care of it NOW, not 10km down the road when more damage has already been done. I met several people who had to cut their camino short because they didn’t listen to their bodies. The camino is walked by people ranging in age from 16 and under, to 80+. The majority of the injuries happen to the people from 16-35. The people who don’t want to admit that they even have limitations, let alone listen to their bodies telling them about those limitations. An 80 year-old person knows exactly what their body can and can’t handle and don’t request more of their bodies. The arrogant 22 year-old feels a small rub in his boot and ignores it, until he gets to the albergue at the end of the day only to find a blister the size of a tennis ball. The 80 year-old feels a small rub in his boot, and stops, takes off his boot and sock, puts some compeed on the spot, then continues, blister free.
The camino is about life. The camino IS life. The camino makes you slow down and live in the moment. In the beginning I was so focused on walking, that I didn’t notice the camino around me. I put my headphones in and just walked. I saw the beautiful scenery, but I didn’t pay attention. I wasn’t living the camino, I was coasting through it. It wasn’t until Terradillos, the half-way point that I truly started to appreciate the camino. Walking at 6:00 in the morning, the sun hasn’t quite risen over the horizon yet, the birds are just starting to wake-up. It’s a truly beautiful experience, it makes you feel truly alive. If you learn nothing else from the camino, learn to live. Don’t coast through life, live each day. Whether you’re 27 and decide to walk 500 miles, or 87 and decide to jump out of an airplane, it’s never too late to start living your life.
It's been 6 weeks since I returned from Spain, and a month since I delivered this homily. Whenever I feel myself starting to forget the camino lessons, I go back and I read what I wrote. It's helped me hang-on to those lessons in this loud, busy, sometimes frustrating world.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Final Push
Well right now we are in Palas de Rei. We are approximately 65km from the Santiago. We are planning to arrive there on Friday. We are doing short, easy days to take it easy. By thursday we will be able to SEE Santaigo, but we´re planning on stopping in Monte de Gozo which is 4.5km from Santiago, so that the nexy morning we get up walk for about an hour, get in in Santiago early so we can get to the Pilgrim´s office and the Pilgrim´s Mass at noon on the same day.
So far Galicia is beautiful. For those of you who don´t know, Galicia is the area in Spain above Portugal. It is a celtic region, and you can tell. It so green, sometimes we swear we´re in Ireland! They also have their own language here in Galicia, Gallego, it´s totally different. They also speak Spanish (castellano) so we can understand them, but if they start speaking Gallego we don´t understand a thing!
A few days ago we were in O´Cebreiero. Which is a beautiful celtic town on the top of a mountain. Sarah and I were planning to skip this city in favor of taking a bus to Sarria to do the last 100km slowly, but Nico told us we had to visit, so we went by bus then taxi. I´m so glad we went. It´s up so high that when you look out over the valley during most of the day, you can´t see much because of the fog in the valley. All you see are the peaks of the mountians popping up through the clouds. It was magical. I got pictures, don´t worry.
Tonight is the final of the World Cup. Nico and I have a beer bet on the outcome of the game. He is rooting for Holland, it´s becuase he lives there or something like that. I of course am cheering for Spain. I can´t believe I´m following a sport. This is so unlike me.
It´s hard to believe that we´re actually almost there. If you had told me that I was going to make it, at the end of Day 2 when I arrived cold, exhausted, and wet in Larrasoaña, I wouldn´t have believed you. But it looks like it might actually happen!
Well sorry i haven´t updated much, I´ve been too busy enjoying the camino. I will try to post when we get to Santiago. 65km left! Holy monkies!
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
So far Galicia is beautiful. For those of you who don´t know, Galicia is the area in Spain above Portugal. It is a celtic region, and you can tell. It so green, sometimes we swear we´re in Ireland! They also have their own language here in Galicia, Gallego, it´s totally different. They also speak Spanish (castellano) so we can understand them, but if they start speaking Gallego we don´t understand a thing!
A few days ago we were in O´Cebreiero. Which is a beautiful celtic town on the top of a mountain. Sarah and I were planning to skip this city in favor of taking a bus to Sarria to do the last 100km slowly, but Nico told us we had to visit, so we went by bus then taxi. I´m so glad we went. It´s up so high that when you look out over the valley during most of the day, you can´t see much because of the fog in the valley. All you see are the peaks of the mountians popping up through the clouds. It was magical. I got pictures, don´t worry.
Tonight is the final of the World Cup. Nico and I have a beer bet on the outcome of the game. He is rooting for Holland, it´s becuase he lives there or something like that. I of course am cheering for Spain. I can´t believe I´m following a sport. This is so unlike me.
It´s hard to believe that we´re actually almost there. If you had told me that I was going to make it, at the end of Day 2 when I arrived cold, exhausted, and wet in Larrasoaña, I wouldn´t have believed you. But it looks like it might actually happen!
Well sorry i haven´t updated much, I´ve been too busy enjoying the camino. I will try to post when we get to Santiago. 65km left! Holy monkies!
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Monday, June 28, 2010
Earthquakes, 12 kilos, the valley of death, and the camino
So I´m not sure if every pilgrim does this, or if it´s just Sarah and I, but we´ve been talking about "If we owned an albergue" We´ve said that our albergue (the places where pilgrims stay) would have toilet paper, and toilet seats, it wouldn´t have bunk beds that were pushed together, like at some places, and a bunch of other things. But my big thing is that the bunk beds would be attached to the wall. I say this for 2 reasons. 1. when the bunk isn´t anchored, you can feel whenever the other person in the bunk moves. One night I felt like I was in an earthquake, the girl on the top bunk moved to much. The other reason I want the beds anchored is because I was climbing down from a top bunk one day and almost tipped the bunk over, not fun.
I weighed myself on the morning I left for Paris. I weighed myself just a few days in Burgos. The result was a loss of 12 kilos! That´s like 26 lbs! It´s crazy. I don´t know if the scale was off, but it told Sarah she hadn´t lost anything, so it might be right. If this keeps up, I´m looking at a 36 kilo loss, I could deal with that.
We´ve gotten onto the Meseta, the flat middle section of Spain. On the day we went from Burgos to Hontanas, we walked through the high meseta. There were no trees, just some kind of grain. It was so hot. We renamed that section of the camino "the valley of death" I ran out of water that day, 3/4 of a km outside of town, so I made it. We later found out that 3 pilgrims have died this month on the meseta from heat/dehydration/exhaustion. That´s scary.
Today I am resting because my feet are yelling at me. I will be taking a bus from Carrion to Terradillos del Templario. I need to listen to my body, and my body is telling me, don´t you dare walk 26km today or we will strike.
Speaking of Carrion. In the church here is the tackiest thing I´ve ever seen. It is a minitaure animatronic Bethlehem. Complete with a light that comes on to illuminate the birth of baby Jesus, and Angels that fly across the back wall. I will post pictures later, if I can figure out how. It was cute, and would have stayed cute had it not been IN the church. It looked like something you´d see on the "Birth of Jesus" ride and Disney World.
Well I guess that´s all for now, my internet time is almost up. I´ll try to write more often from now on.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
I weighed myself on the morning I left for Paris. I weighed myself just a few days in Burgos. The result was a loss of 12 kilos! That´s like 26 lbs! It´s crazy. I don´t know if the scale was off, but it told Sarah she hadn´t lost anything, so it might be right. If this keeps up, I´m looking at a 36 kilo loss, I could deal with that.
We´ve gotten onto the Meseta, the flat middle section of Spain. On the day we went from Burgos to Hontanas, we walked through the high meseta. There were no trees, just some kind of grain. It was so hot. We renamed that section of the camino "the valley of death" I ran out of water that day, 3/4 of a km outside of town, so I made it. We later found out that 3 pilgrims have died this month on the meseta from heat/dehydration/exhaustion. That´s scary.
Today I am resting because my feet are yelling at me. I will be taking a bus from Carrion to Terradillos del Templario. I need to listen to my body, and my body is telling me, don´t you dare walk 26km today or we will strike.
Speaking of Carrion. In the church here is the tackiest thing I´ve ever seen. It is a minitaure animatronic Bethlehem. Complete with a light that comes on to illuminate the birth of baby Jesus, and Angels that fly across the back wall. I will post pictures later, if I can figure out how. It was cute, and would have stayed cute had it not been IN the church. It looked like something you´d see on the "Birth of Jesus" ride and Disney World.
Well I guess that´s all for now, my internet time is almost up. I´ll try to write more often from now on.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Well we made it one more day. After 20km we are in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Today was supposed to be an easy day, only 20km with a couple of hills to make things interesting. Ah the best laid plans
So we started today in Najera, after waking up and getting ready we went to a cafe for breakfast, this is not normal usually we have breakfast at the next town we come to, but today is a special day, it´s Sarah´s birthday! YAY! So we serenaded her with happy brithday in 3 different languages, and the guy who owns the bar/cafe gave her a free package of chorizo. Not a bad start to the day.
Then we actually started walking, and the first thing we do is a hill, not a little up and over kind of hill, but a walk around a bend and find more up, kind of hill. That´s not the best way to warm-up if you ask me. But we made it, just like we´ve made it everywhere else.
We stopped at a little cafe in the next town (I can´t remember the name right now) and I had an orange juice, I´m so addicted to the fresh Spanish orange juice, it´s amazing, I don´t drinkt he stuff at home, and what I do drink at home (diet coke) I haven´t touched since the airplane. Go figure
After our mornign snack we walked, and walked and walked, and climbed a LAGRE hill. This hill was insane, because first of all we could see it for proabably the last 6km at least and we kept saying "oh that won´t be so bad" WRONG, the first part was very steep then the middle was not horrible, but the last part was really steep too. At the top was a pretty little sitting spot with these cute cement chaise lounge type chairs, heavenly! The next "town" was scary. We passed a golf course, mom, trevor, that made me think of you, then we walked through a housing development. But not just one, like 8! And it was really creepy because no one lived in barely any of the houses, and they had the customary for Spain metal gate style shutters on the windows. It never seemed to end! We just wanted to be done with that place because it was so weird.
After this "town" we finally got back on dirt path and found, guess what, another hill! This one wasn´t as bad, but when you´re tired, any hill is a big one. I made my way slowly to the top only to find ANOTHER HILL! I can´t wait until we get to the meseta with no hills for like a week. Though there is also no shade there.
Finally we arrive in Santo Domingo. We´re at the Albergue run by the Spanish confraternity. It´s VERY nice, the mattresses are thick, the showers hot, the toilets have seats (the last place didn´t, and we´re only like 20 people to a room, which isn´t bad by camino standards.
Tonight is Sarah´s birthday so we´re going out. Of course it´s hard to go out too much when the doors lock you out at 10:00...
Well everyone that´s it for today.
Until next time
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
PS Excuse the spelling the keys on this key board are a little sticky.
So we started today in Najera, after waking up and getting ready we went to a cafe for breakfast, this is not normal usually we have breakfast at the next town we come to, but today is a special day, it´s Sarah´s birthday! YAY! So we serenaded her with happy brithday in 3 different languages, and the guy who owns the bar/cafe gave her a free package of chorizo. Not a bad start to the day.
Then we actually started walking, and the first thing we do is a hill, not a little up and over kind of hill, but a walk around a bend and find more up, kind of hill. That´s not the best way to warm-up if you ask me. But we made it, just like we´ve made it everywhere else.
We stopped at a little cafe in the next town (I can´t remember the name right now) and I had an orange juice, I´m so addicted to the fresh Spanish orange juice, it´s amazing, I don´t drinkt he stuff at home, and what I do drink at home (diet coke) I haven´t touched since the airplane. Go figure
After our mornign snack we walked, and walked and walked, and climbed a LAGRE hill. This hill was insane, because first of all we could see it for proabably the last 6km at least and we kept saying "oh that won´t be so bad" WRONG, the first part was very steep then the middle was not horrible, but the last part was really steep too. At the top was a pretty little sitting spot with these cute cement chaise lounge type chairs, heavenly! The next "town" was scary. We passed a golf course, mom, trevor, that made me think of you, then we walked through a housing development. But not just one, like 8! And it was really creepy because no one lived in barely any of the houses, and they had the customary for Spain metal gate style shutters on the windows. It never seemed to end! We just wanted to be done with that place because it was so weird.
After this "town" we finally got back on dirt path and found, guess what, another hill! This one wasn´t as bad, but when you´re tired, any hill is a big one. I made my way slowly to the top only to find ANOTHER HILL! I can´t wait until we get to the meseta with no hills for like a week. Though there is also no shade there.
Finally we arrive in Santo Domingo. We´re at the Albergue run by the Spanish confraternity. It´s VERY nice, the mattresses are thick, the showers hot, the toilets have seats (the last place didn´t, and we´re only like 20 people to a room, which isn´t bad by camino standards.
Tonight is Sarah´s birthday so we´re going out. Of course it´s hard to go out too much when the doors lock you out at 10:00...
Well everyone that´s it for today.
Until next time
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
PS Excuse the spelling the keys on this key board are a little sticky.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Audrey Hepburn Lied
Well day 2 of walking, and we are in Larrasoaña. We are approximately 40km along the camino of 800km more or less. Today was tough. It rained literally all day, in fact it´s raining as I write this. I walked without my rain jacket for almost 20 minutes today.
We left Roncesvalles at about 6:45 and had a wonderful breakfast in the next town, which I forget the name of. Casa Juan, it was amazing. I ordered Orange Juice, and watched the woman cut an orange in half and juice it, then give me the glass. It was so delicious, like eating an orange, but without all that pesky chewing.
Then we walked. today was another mountain day. It was really tough going especially with the rain. Though I discovered something about myself. Right after breakfast, walking out of the town, on the outskirts are a bunch of cattle farms. The smell instantly brought me to the Carstens farm. I thought about Uncle George and Grandma Carstens. I will always associate the smell of cows with Uncle George, in a good way.
Today there were 2 major climbs then descents. The walk up was strenous, but the walk down was more so. The first descent, was hard because they paved it with some kind of formed concrete which made the way kind of trecherous. It wasn´t slippery, but I was too careful to find out if it was slippery anywhere. The second descent was brutal. It was very rocky, quite steep, and muddy. Not a good combination.
To add to the interest of the day, there were a lot of bicigrinos (pilgrims on bikes) I have no problem with doing the camino on bike, but SLOW DOWN! I stopped once to rest and looked back up the pàth, and luckily I did because there were 6 bikes hurtling toward me at breakneck speed. Not fun.
I made it to Zubirri. It was another 5km to Larrasoañn, but I knew I would not make it, so I took a taxi, and I´m so glad that I did.
Tomorrow we go to Pamplona, only a month early for San Fermin and the running of the bulls.
Well until later folks
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
We left Roncesvalles at about 6:45 and had a wonderful breakfast in the next town, which I forget the name of. Casa Juan, it was amazing. I ordered Orange Juice, and watched the woman cut an orange in half and juice it, then give me the glass. It was so delicious, like eating an orange, but without all that pesky chewing.
Then we walked. today was another mountain day. It was really tough going especially with the rain. Though I discovered something about myself. Right after breakfast, walking out of the town, on the outskirts are a bunch of cattle farms. The smell instantly brought me to the Carstens farm. I thought about Uncle George and Grandma Carstens. I will always associate the smell of cows with Uncle George, in a good way.
Today there were 2 major climbs then descents. The walk up was strenous, but the walk down was more so. The first descent, was hard because they paved it with some kind of formed concrete which made the way kind of trecherous. It wasn´t slippery, but I was too careful to find out if it was slippery anywhere. The second descent was brutal. It was very rocky, quite steep, and muddy. Not a good combination.
To add to the interest of the day, there were a lot of bicigrinos (pilgrims on bikes) I have no problem with doing the camino on bike, but SLOW DOWN! I stopped once to rest and looked back up the pàth, and luckily I did because there were 6 bikes hurtling toward me at breakneck speed. Not fun.
I made it to Zubirri. It was another 5km to Larrasoañn, but I knew I would not make it, so I took a taxi, and I´m so glad that I did.
Tomorrow we go to Pamplona, only a month early for San Fermin and the running of the bulls.
Well until later folks
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Friday, June 11, 2010
Well that´s the Pryenees for ya
Holy Bajeezus.
We´ve made it to Roncesvalles. We are staying at the municipal albergue. It is 1 giante room with 120 bunk beds. ...yeah.... Not exactly thrilled with the set up but hey it´ll all work out.
We took a taxi to about half-way up the mountian and walked to Roncesvalles, we walked 11km, don´t ask me how many miles that is, I don´t have my converter with me. Also the trek up the mountain sucked, but the trek down was worse. Oh my dios. My knees we literally shaking from overuse.
Tomorrow we might make it to Larrasoaña, or we might only go to Zubiri, we´re gonna play it by ear.
I´ll post more later, right now we´re going to go to dinner and maybe the pilrim´s mass.
Later
Buen Camino
Carrie
PS. Mom I love you! Trevor or Ann, give Meredith a kiss for me!
We´ve made it to Roncesvalles. We are staying at the municipal albergue. It is 1 giante room with 120 bunk beds. ...yeah.... Not exactly thrilled with the set up but hey it´ll all work out.
We took a taxi to about half-way up the mountian and walked to Roncesvalles, we walked 11km, don´t ask me how many miles that is, I don´t have my converter with me. Also the trek up the mountain sucked, but the trek down was worse. Oh my dios. My knees we literally shaking from overuse.
Tomorrow we might make it to Larrasoaña, or we might only go to Zubiri, we´re gonna play it by ear.
I´ll post more later, right now we´re going to go to dinner and maybe the pilrim´s mass.
Later
Buen Camino
Carrie
PS. Mom I love you! Trevor or Ann, give Meredith a kiss for me!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Quick note
We made it!
Almost 24 hours of traveling, but we're here in St Jean, just had a wonderful dinner, and now it's off to bed, we're exhausted.
We've decided to stay in St Jean tomorrow to rest instead of starting right away. I think it's a good call.
More later
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Almost 24 hours of traveling, but we're here in St Jean, just had a wonderful dinner, and now it's off to bed, we're exhausted.
We've decided to stay in St Jean tomorrow to rest instead of starting right away. I think it's a good call.
More later
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Friday, June 4, 2010
Santo Mono! Where did the time go?
We leave in 3 days. 3 DAYS! For so long this camino journey has been very academic. This is what we're going to do, and this is how we will train, and this is what we will prepare, and I find that now that the time has come, I'm freaking out a little bit.
The guidance counselor where I work just had a baby (like 1:00 yesterday). I was talking to her about the baby coming and about my camino. and we realized that we were in the exact same situation. She'd had 9 months to prepare for this baby coming, and now that her due date was approaching, she just wanted it to be there, even though she felt totally unprepared. I have been planning this camino for almost 2 years, and all through the last quarter of school I've been saying, I just want June 8th to be here. And I find that now that it's June 4th, I'm scared. But a good scared. A "this is the most important, most exciting thing I've ever done" kind of scared.
My list of "shoulds" is a mile long. I should be packing, I should make certain that I have everything I need, I should be out walking, I should be doing this or that, or the other. But I'm not I'm taking an evening for me.
It's so hard for me to believe that next week at this time, I'll be less than a day's walk out of Pamplona. PAMPLONA! I've wanted to go there ever since I started studying Spanish. Of course I'll be a month early for the running of the bulls, but that's ok with me. I will have to get a lot of good pictures for all of my classes for when I return.
I'm finding that the hardest thing for me to deal with, isn't the walk. It isn't anything physical about the trek. It isn't not seeing my parents for 7 weeks, because I'll be able to talk to them on the phone (skype whatever). It isn't leaving the US for Spain, though I'm seriously doubting in my Spanish abilities (don't tell my students). The hardest part of my whole camino trip, is being away from my baby niece. She'll be turning 1 this summer and I'll be missing it (though if all goes according to plan we'll reach Compostela on her birthday.) I can't talk to her on the phone, and I'm sure that my brother and sister-in-law will forget to e-mail me any new pictures. She's going to change so much and I'm going to miss it. I know that she wont realize I'm not there for her birthday, but I'll realize it. She will have many more birthdays and many more years for me to take her picture and squeeze and love her to bits. I can give-up 7 weeks for a worthy cause. Sorry this got so emotional, I'm just kind of rambling.
Well to everyone reading, wish us luck. We board our plane to Paris on Tuesday. I hope we'll be able to update a lot along the way.
Buen Camino
Carrie
The guidance counselor where I work just had a baby (like 1:00 yesterday). I was talking to her about the baby coming and about my camino. and we realized that we were in the exact same situation. She'd had 9 months to prepare for this baby coming, and now that her due date was approaching, she just wanted it to be there, even though she felt totally unprepared. I have been planning this camino for almost 2 years, and all through the last quarter of school I've been saying, I just want June 8th to be here. And I find that now that it's June 4th, I'm scared. But a good scared. A "this is the most important, most exciting thing I've ever done" kind of scared.
My list of "shoulds" is a mile long. I should be packing, I should make certain that I have everything I need, I should be out walking, I should be doing this or that, or the other. But I'm not I'm taking an evening for me.
It's so hard for me to believe that next week at this time, I'll be less than a day's walk out of Pamplona. PAMPLONA! I've wanted to go there ever since I started studying Spanish. Of course I'll be a month early for the running of the bulls, but that's ok with me. I will have to get a lot of good pictures for all of my classes for when I return.
I'm finding that the hardest thing for me to deal with, isn't the walk. It isn't anything physical about the trek. It isn't not seeing my parents for 7 weeks, because I'll be able to talk to them on the phone (skype whatever). It isn't leaving the US for Spain, though I'm seriously doubting in my Spanish abilities (don't tell my students). The hardest part of my whole camino trip, is being away from my baby niece. She'll be turning 1 this summer and I'll be missing it (though if all goes according to plan we'll reach Compostela on her birthday.) I can't talk to her on the phone, and I'm sure that my brother and sister-in-law will forget to e-mail me any new pictures. She's going to change so much and I'm going to miss it. I know that she wont realize I'm not there for her birthday, but I'll realize it. She will have many more birthdays and many more years for me to take her picture and squeeze and love her to bits. I can give-up 7 weeks for a worthy cause. Sorry this got so emotional, I'm just kind of rambling.
Well to everyone reading, wish us luck. We board our plane to Paris on Tuesday. I hope we'll be able to update a lot along the way.
Buen Camino
Carrie
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Shopping take 2!
So Sarah and I took our second shopping trip to REI. This time on a Saturday.
Oddly enough we both were returning our boots that we bought on our last shopping trip. I traded in my 150$ boots that were too narrow for my wide feet, and found a fantastic pair with a very wide toe box for 90$. Here they are if you're interested.
Unfortunately the boots were the easiest part of the day. Next it came time to find clothes for the camino. I hate shopping for clothes, I hate trying on clothes, I hate buying clothes. I hate shopping for clothes because I can find lots of cute things, but nothing in my size. So I find what I think might be my size then take it to the fitting room and struggle to squeeze myself into it. Then if I actually find something that DOES fit, it's never flattering. I understand, I'm overweight, but come on designers! People larger than a size 0 want to feel pretty too. I did fine 1 women's short sleeved shirt that fit, it's not very flattering, but well nothing in the store was. I found 2 pairs of men's convertible pants which are even less flattering than the shirt, but they fit and they're light weight and will dry fast, my 2 camino requirements. I also found 1 long sleeved shirt in the men's department that didn't look horrible, but I'm not sure how much I'm going to be wearing a long sleeved shirt. And to add to everything, it's a Saturday so the store is insane. There was a lone to get into the fitting rooms every time, and I always felt rushed because I knew that there were other people waiting in line. I still need to find another short-sleeved shirt. (not looking forward to that)
Then I got the awesome task of finding a rain jacket. Now I didn't realize this, but in order to find a rain jacket that is actually waterproof and won't make you sweat like a pig, you need to take out a mortgage. Honestly I just couldn't see paying over 200$ for a rain jacket. I don't even spend 200$ on a winter jacket and I wear that 6 months out of the year! I eventually fond one for 70$ on the clearance rack. I'm not totally thrilled with it.
Though i did get a piece of good news today. There is an amazing rain jacket made by the Altus company, It's a long-ish jacket, with a hood, and a hump-back, so you can put it on over your pack. This jacket is approximately 35 Euros (45$) I could have bought this, but when I went to the site it said that shipping would be an extra 45 euros (60$). I said no. But I discovered today that it's available in a lot of outdoor store in Spain, including St Jean Pied de Port, so I think I'm going to buy one when we get to Spain, then post my other one home (in case I can't find the other jacket)
I have weighed everything going into my pack, and with everything, I'm 10 ounces shy of 16 lbs! I think I did dang good. Especially considering I included the weight of my poles, which I will be using most of the time. I didn't include water weight, but I'll make due.
Only 39 days until we leave
35 days until the end of school
24 class days
2 finals to write
8 classes of projects to correct.
I think I might actually make it!
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Oddly enough we both were returning our boots that we bought on our last shopping trip. I traded in my 150$ boots that were too narrow for my wide feet, and found a fantastic pair with a very wide toe box for 90$. Here they are if you're interested.
Unfortunately the boots were the easiest part of the day. Next it came time to find clothes for the camino. I hate shopping for clothes, I hate trying on clothes, I hate buying clothes. I hate shopping for clothes because I can find lots of cute things, but nothing in my size. So I find what I think might be my size then take it to the fitting room and struggle to squeeze myself into it. Then if I actually find something that DOES fit, it's never flattering. I understand, I'm overweight, but come on designers! People larger than a size 0 want to feel pretty too. I did fine 1 women's short sleeved shirt that fit, it's not very flattering, but well nothing in the store was. I found 2 pairs of men's convertible pants which are even less flattering than the shirt, but they fit and they're light weight and will dry fast, my 2 camino requirements. I also found 1 long sleeved shirt in the men's department that didn't look horrible, but I'm not sure how much I'm going to be wearing a long sleeved shirt. And to add to everything, it's a Saturday so the store is insane. There was a lone to get into the fitting rooms every time, and I always felt rushed because I knew that there were other people waiting in line. I still need to find another short-sleeved shirt. (not looking forward to that)
Then I got the awesome task of finding a rain jacket. Now I didn't realize this, but in order to find a rain jacket that is actually waterproof and won't make you sweat like a pig, you need to take out a mortgage. Honestly I just couldn't see paying over 200$ for a rain jacket. I don't even spend 200$ on a winter jacket and I wear that 6 months out of the year! I eventually fond one for 70$ on the clearance rack. I'm not totally thrilled with it.
Though i did get a piece of good news today. There is an amazing rain jacket made by the Altus company, It's a long-ish jacket, with a hood, and a hump-back, so you can put it on over your pack. This jacket is approximately 35 Euros (45$) I could have bought this, but when I went to the site it said that shipping would be an extra 45 euros (60$). I said no. But I discovered today that it's available in a lot of outdoor store in Spain, including St Jean Pied de Port, so I think I'm going to buy one when we get to Spain, then post my other one home (in case I can't find the other jacket)
I have weighed everything going into my pack, and with everything, I'm 10 ounces shy of 16 lbs! I think I did dang good. Especially considering I included the weight of my poles, which I will be using most of the time. I didn't include water weight, but I'll make due.
Only 39 days until we leave
35 days until the end of school
24 class days
2 finals to write
8 classes of projects to correct.
I think I might actually make it!
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Decisions, decisions.
So I've made up my mind. I am going to take the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees, weather permitting of course. I've been training at the YMCA on the treadmill at a 15% incline. The steepest part of the Route Napoleon is about a 12% incline. So my theory is, if I'm used to 15%, then 12% won't be that hard.
Sarah and I made another decision. Which train to take out of Paris to Bayonne. Well luckily the nonstop train (meaning we don't have to switch) to Bayonne, is also the one that works perfectly with our time table. We arrive in Paris at about 7:30, so figure at least 8:00 by the time we leave the airport after customs and picking up our bags. That leaves us with 3 hours and 50 minutes before our train leaves. We want to eat a real French breakfast, crepes and croissant, then a trip to the Eiffel Tower. I'm told if we get there early, we can beat the crowds, and might even be able to go up the tower. How awesome would THAT be?
Another decision that has been made, is a second shopping trip. We both need different boots. I don't know what Sarah's issues are, but my boots are NOT wide enough for my huge wide feet. I know I said I already bought boots, but I tried wearing them for an extended time, I tried different insoles, they're not wide enough and nothing will make them wide enough. Little did I know when I bought the boots, La Sportiva boots are known for running narrow, so even though I got a wide, it's not wide enough. Oh well I'll exchange and find the PERFECT boots.
So we both purchased sleeping mats when we went on our shopping extravaganza. But from everything I've read, we won't need them/we won't be able to use them. The theory behind the sleeping mat, is that if an Albuerge doesn't have any beds left, you can simply put your mat on the floor and sleep there. Well a lot of places aren't letting people do that anymore, it's a fire hazard. So we've decided not to take our mats, and if we need them later on, there are always mats in the Free Box in the Albuerges, or one can be purchased. So that's 22 ounces less that I have to carry, and can use on other important things, like contact solution.
I made an awesome discovery with the help of another Pilgrim (anniesantiago on the forum) She introduced me to JR Ligget's bar shampoo. I was worried about not having conditioner for over 35 days, but I was also worried about carrying it with me. Well I found the soap, it's sold at most natural food stores, and I tried it. It works great! There's a nice lather in the hair, and when it rinses it rinses clean, but leaves some of the natural oils in your hair so you don't NEED conditioner. I love it. I don't love it enough to use it everyday now, but I love it for the camino. Imagine, all of my hair care needs in a 3oz bar. Fantastic!
Well that's all for now. I hope everyone is well.
Adios and Buen Camino
47 days and 17 hours until we leave! YAY!
Sarah and I made another decision. Which train to take out of Paris to Bayonne. Well luckily the nonstop train (meaning we don't have to switch) to Bayonne, is also the one that works perfectly with our time table. We arrive in Paris at about 7:30, so figure at least 8:00 by the time we leave the airport after customs and picking up our bags. That leaves us with 3 hours and 50 minutes before our train leaves. We want to eat a real French breakfast, crepes and croissant, then a trip to the Eiffel Tower. I'm told if we get there early, we can beat the crowds, and might even be able to go up the tower. How awesome would THAT be?
Another decision that has been made, is a second shopping trip. We both need different boots. I don't know what Sarah's issues are, but my boots are NOT wide enough for my huge wide feet. I know I said I already bought boots, but I tried wearing them for an extended time, I tried different insoles, they're not wide enough and nothing will make them wide enough. Little did I know when I bought the boots, La Sportiva boots are known for running narrow, so even though I got a wide, it's not wide enough. Oh well I'll exchange and find the PERFECT boots.
So we both purchased sleeping mats when we went on our shopping extravaganza. But from everything I've read, we won't need them/we won't be able to use them. The theory behind the sleeping mat, is that if an Albuerge doesn't have any beds left, you can simply put your mat on the floor and sleep there. Well a lot of places aren't letting people do that anymore, it's a fire hazard. So we've decided not to take our mats, and if we need them later on, there are always mats in the Free Box in the Albuerges, or one can be purchased. So that's 22 ounces less that I have to carry, and can use on other important things, like contact solution.
I made an awesome discovery with the help of another Pilgrim (anniesantiago on the forum) She introduced me to JR Ligget's bar shampoo. I was worried about not having conditioner for over 35 days, but I was also worried about carrying it with me. Well I found the soap, it's sold at most natural food stores, and I tried it. It works great! There's a nice lather in the hair, and when it rinses it rinses clean, but leaves some of the natural oils in your hair so you don't NEED conditioner. I love it. I don't love it enough to use it everyday now, but I love it for the camino. Imagine, all of my hair care needs in a 3oz bar. Fantastic!
Well that's all for now. I hope everyone is well.
Adios and Buen Camino
47 days and 17 hours until we leave! YAY!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Pyrenees
To Pyrenees or not to Pyrenees, that is the question
Whether it is nobler in the mind
To suffer the high altitudes and intense grade of climb
Or to take the Valcarlos through the valley
There is a third option that I couldn’t figure out how to fit into my little Shakespear rip-off, and that is to take a bus or a taxi to Roncesvalles.
For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, let me shed some light on this for you. If you start the Camino Frances (the route that Sarah and I are taking) in St. Jean Pied de Port in France, your first day (or 2 days if you break it up) is spend trekking over the Pyrenees. There are 2 routes that can be taken. The Route Napoleon (named because this was how Napoleon preferred to get into and out of Spain). This way is very strenuous and shouldn’t be taken during bad weather. Though it is very difficult apparently the view from the top of the Pyrenees is spectacular. The other way is the Valcarlos Route (named because it passes through the city of Valcarlos). It takes a lower path through/over the Pyrenees, though much of the route is spent on roads (Ew!) Both paths end in the city of Roncesvalles.
Here is a map to show you what I'm talking about.
A few weeks ago Sarah and I made the decision NOT to hike over the Pyrenees on the first day of our camino. Then I had a change of heart and had this feeling that I needed to walk over the Pyrenees. I don’t know if I would take the Napoleon or the Valcarlos, but I felt like I should do one or the other.
Well I feel my heart changing again, whether this is due to the severe seasonal allergy attack I am currently suffering or something. I’ve been leaning more toward taking the taxi with Sarah to Roncesvalles. I’m thinking I’ll just play it by ear, see how much sleep I get, if I’m feeling any jet-lag how well last night’s dinner is sitting with me, then make my decision that morning if I should walk or ride. I don’t want to have any regrets on this trip. Will I regret NOT crossing the Pyrenees on foot, or will I regret making my first day too strenuous (ie blisters, pulled muscles or some other physical ailment that might make me have to leave the camino early).
In the end I’ll make the right decision for me. I know that if I do choose to walk I won’t be alone, there will probably be another pilgrim leaving at the same time I do. I’ll keep you posted.
On a happier note I’ve stumbled upon another fantastic video about the camino. If you don’t watch anything else, watch the video from 6:50-7:30 and just try to imagine how many millions of people it took to accomplish that.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
58 Days and 4 hours until our flight takes off!
Whether it is nobler in the mind
To suffer the high altitudes and intense grade of climb
Or to take the Valcarlos through the valley
There is a third option that I couldn’t figure out how to fit into my little Shakespear rip-off, and that is to take a bus or a taxi to Roncesvalles.
For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, let me shed some light on this for you. If you start the Camino Frances (the route that Sarah and I are taking) in St. Jean Pied de Port in France, your first day (or 2 days if you break it up) is spend trekking over the Pyrenees. There are 2 routes that can be taken. The Route Napoleon (named because this was how Napoleon preferred to get into and out of Spain). This way is very strenuous and shouldn’t be taken during bad weather. Though it is very difficult apparently the view from the top of the Pyrenees is spectacular. The other way is the Valcarlos Route (named because it passes through the city of Valcarlos). It takes a lower path through/over the Pyrenees, though much of the route is spent on roads (Ew!) Both paths end in the city of Roncesvalles.
Here is a map to show you what I'm talking about.
A few weeks ago Sarah and I made the decision NOT to hike over the Pyrenees on the first day of our camino. Then I had a change of heart and had this feeling that I needed to walk over the Pyrenees. I don’t know if I would take the Napoleon or the Valcarlos, but I felt like I should do one or the other.
Well I feel my heart changing again, whether this is due to the severe seasonal allergy attack I am currently suffering or something. I’ve been leaning more toward taking the taxi with Sarah to Roncesvalles. I’m thinking I’ll just play it by ear, see how much sleep I get, if I’m feeling any jet-lag how well last night’s dinner is sitting with me, then make my decision that morning if I should walk or ride. I don’t want to have any regrets on this trip. Will I regret NOT crossing the Pyrenees on foot, or will I regret making my first day too strenuous (ie blisters, pulled muscles or some other physical ailment that might make me have to leave the camino early).
In the end I’ll make the right decision for me. I know that if I do choose to walk I won’t be alone, there will probably be another pilgrim leaving at the same time I do. I’ll keep you posted.
On a happier note I’ve stumbled upon another fantastic video about the camino. If you don’t watch anything else, watch the video from 6:50-7:30 and just try to imagine how many millions of people it took to accomplish that.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
58 Days and 4 hours until our flight takes off!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The way
In my previous post, I mentioned the movie and Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen made about the camino.
Here is the website for the movie. You can watch the trailer there. It looks fantastic.
http://www.theway-themovie.com/
There was also a documentary made about the camino. Watch the trailer here.
http://www.caminodocumentary.org/homeTrailerHi.jsp
Buen Camino
Carrie
Here is the website for the movie. You can watch the trailer there. It looks fantastic.
http://www.theway-themovie.com/
There was also a documentary made about the camino. Watch the trailer here.
http://www.caminodocumentary.org/homeTrailerHi.jsp
Buen Camino
Carrie
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Holding Pattern
The journey IS the destination - some random thoughtful (probably) dead person
So now that we've taken all of these steps, there is a slight feeling of let-down. The only thing left to do, is wait. Sure I'm still going to the Y, I'm still working out, but I feel like that's the only thing I can do.
I've done all the research that I need (and then some), We've purchased our plane tickets, we've gotten gear, now it's just wait time. Sure we do have a couple of decisions left to make (which train to take out of Paris, how to get to Madrid [flying is only 10$ more than taking the train]) But otherwise there is nothing left for me to do, just wait.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still super excited out going, I just wish it was here already! Not 82 days from now.
I found this fantastic website, that has pictures from every stage of the camino, from St Jean Pied de Port, to Santiago de Compostela. Which has both increased and decreased this hate of waiting. Decreased, because it kind of satisfied my camino hunger, and increased because it made me want more, to actually BE where these pictures were taken (though with out the snow please, thanks) Check it out.
But this site did give me an idea. In addition to this blog, I'd like to post some pictures from the road, so that you (the readers) will be able to see what we've seen, and you'll have photographic evidence that we are in fact still alive. When I get that set-up, I'll let you know.
And one last thing before I go, Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez are making a movie about the camino, I don't know when or where they are filming, but I might get to meet the mighty duck man, and when I do, I'll yell to him from across the plaza EMILIO! EMILIO!
So now that we've taken all of these steps, there is a slight feeling of let-down. The only thing left to do, is wait. Sure I'm still going to the Y, I'm still working out, but I feel like that's the only thing I can do.
I've done all the research that I need (and then some), We've purchased our plane tickets, we've gotten gear, now it's just wait time. Sure we do have a couple of decisions left to make (which train to take out of Paris, how to get to Madrid [flying is only 10$ more than taking the train]) But otherwise there is nothing left for me to do, just wait.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still super excited out going, I just wish it was here already! Not 82 days from now.
I found this fantastic website, that has pictures from every stage of the camino, from St Jean Pied de Port, to Santiago de Compostela. Which has both increased and decreased this hate of waiting. Decreased, because it kind of satisfied my camino hunger, and increased because it made me want more, to actually BE where these pictures were taken (though with out the snow please, thanks) Check it out.
But this site did give me an idea. In addition to this blog, I'd like to post some pictures from the road, so that you (the readers) will be able to see what we've seen, and you'll have photographic evidence that we are in fact still alive. When I get that set-up, I'll let you know.
And one last thing before I go, Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez are making a movie about the camino, I don't know when or where they are filming, but I might get to meet the mighty duck man, and when I do, I'll yell to him from across the plaza EMILIO! EMILIO!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Surreal
I can't quite grasp the fact that Catalinda and I are seriously going to be walking across Spain in less than 3 months. I keep thinking that it's going to feel "real" every time we check off a task on our "to do" list.
1. Decide we're really going to do it. (How weird is that?? We had talked about it for years. Carrie says to me one day, "Let's just DO it! When do you want to go?" El Camino actually begins the moment you decide you're going to do it, which is an incredibly comforting thought to me.)
2. Begin research. (Carrie and I took awhile to get into the swing of "research." Admitedly, Carrie became the hard core researcher. She has been absolutely amazing! I am completely lucky that she took on the role of "head researcher" and ran with it! Without her, I may have ended up in Spain wandering around for a couple of months. Let's face it, I could've ended up in Turkey wandering around for a couple of months.)
3. Start training. (I started walking more, started going to the gym more often, parked my car farther from the building, etc. I've had my setbacks. I've landed myself in Physical Therapy twice this school year. Sheesh.)
4. Buy the tickets. (Holy crap. That was a huge step in making things feel "real.")
5. Begin buying gear. (Carrie wasn't kidding about how friendly the staff at REI was! They seriously spent hours with us and never once were annoyed by our questions or how long we spent trying things on and picking things out.)
6. .... Continue to get in better shape.
7. .... Have a few panic attacks.
8. .... Daydream constantly about the places we'll be and the people we'll meet.
9. .... Try to hang in there until the end of the school year!!
It still doesn't quite seem real. I'm wondering if it will feel real while we're physically walking under the glorious Spanish sun.
1. Decide we're really going to do it. (How weird is that?? We had talked about it for years. Carrie says to me one day, "Let's just DO it! When do you want to go?" El Camino actually begins the moment you decide you're going to do it, which is an incredibly comforting thought to me.)
2. Begin research. (Carrie and I took awhile to get into the swing of "research." Admitedly, Carrie became the hard core researcher. She has been absolutely amazing! I am completely lucky that she took on the role of "head researcher" and ran with it! Without her, I may have ended up in Spain wandering around for a couple of months. Let's face it, I could've ended up in Turkey wandering around for a couple of months.)
3. Start training. (I started walking more, started going to the gym more often, parked my car farther from the building, etc. I've had my setbacks. I've landed myself in Physical Therapy twice this school year. Sheesh.)
4. Buy the tickets. (Holy crap. That was a huge step in making things feel "real.")
5. Begin buying gear. (Carrie wasn't kidding about how friendly the staff at REI was! They seriously spent hours with us and never once were annoyed by our questions or how long we spent trying things on and picking things out.)
6. .... Continue to get in better shape.
7. .... Have a few panic attacks.
8. .... Daydream constantly about the places we'll be and the people we'll meet.
9. .... Try to hang in there until the end of the school year!!
It still doesn't quite seem real. I'm wondering if it will feel real while we're physically walking under the glorious Spanish sun.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Supplies, supplies everywhere!
Well yet another step has been taken on this wonderful Camino journey.
Sarah and I took a road trip down to REI in the cities. I brought my tax return with me, and I even brought some of it back home! I know shocking!
REI is a huge camping/outdoors store. Our first stop was the camping department to buy backpacks. A good backpack that fits you well is 1 of the 2 most essential items you can bring with you on the camino (the other is boots, but I'll get to that later.) Sarah and I were helped by a wonderful man named Christopher. He stayed with us for over an hour and a half, helping us try on packs, suggesting another if we didn't like that one, or if it didn't fit. He never got frustrated with us, and was super knowledgeable. I did not leave with a pack, as the one I wanted was not in stock, so I had to order it. I got a Gregory Jade 35 Litre pack. And of course because it is MY bag, it's a lovely shade of teal.
Then Christopher helped me find a pair of hiking poles (Leki Ultralite) and helped Sarah find an ultra light sleeping bag, cause girl would get cold on the Equator in July...and sleeping mats, though I told him which kind I had basically decided on (Big Agnes sleeping mat) and he agreed with my decision.
Now on to the second most important piece of equipment you have, your boots. Well I (for some god only knows reason) tried 2 different Women's shoes, and they were too small, and too narrow, so I went to the Men's department, where I should have taken my giant feet in the first place. I tried on 6 different pairs of boots until I actually found one my size, apparently I wear a Men's size 10.5 Wide (I normally wear a women's 11 wide) I finally settled on a pair of La Sportiva boots, that fit like a glove, and actually aren't hideous looking. Then I decided that I wanted a pair of hiking sandals as well, because well, I don't want to wear my boots ALL the time, plus on those really flat meseta days (the meseta is the plain in Spain, where if you believe Audrey Hepburn, it rains) it might be nice to wear some sandals instead of boots. I tried both Chaco and Teva sandals, and settled on the Chacos. Even though they're men's sandals, they're kind of cute, and they're even my color. Again even though I spent over an hour trying on shoe after shoe after shoe, the sales guy never got annoyed or snippy, he just kept helping me and giving me helpful suggestions.
Well by this point Sarah and I had been at REI for over 2.5 hours, and we were hungry! So as if happens, there was a Chipotle right across 494 from the REI store. I was in heaven. Steak Burrito YUM!
Then it was back to REI to check out their clothing selection, which wasn't great because they are just starting to get their summer stuff in, so we will be making another REI trip sometime in May.
I can't wait until we leave only 90 days and 19 hours until our flight leaves.
Well if you actually made it to the end of this long boring post, I'm sorry. This was more informative than witty. I can't be witty all the time! Geez!
Buen Camino!
Carrie
PS I tried to include links so they you guys could see all the stuff I was refering to, but for some reason blogger won't show my links, stupid blogger.
PPS So it wasn't stupid blogger, it was stupid Carrie. I figured out what I was doing wrong, and it's better now, with links to all my stuff!
Sarah and I took a road trip down to REI in the cities. I brought my tax return with me, and I even brought some of it back home! I know shocking!
REI is a huge camping/outdoors store. Our first stop was the camping department to buy backpacks. A good backpack that fits you well is 1 of the 2 most essential items you can bring with you on the camino (the other is boots, but I'll get to that later.) Sarah and I were helped by a wonderful man named Christopher. He stayed with us for over an hour and a half, helping us try on packs, suggesting another if we didn't like that one, or if it didn't fit. He never got frustrated with us, and was super knowledgeable. I did not leave with a pack, as the one I wanted was not in stock, so I had to order it. I got a Gregory Jade 35 Litre pack. And of course because it is MY bag, it's a lovely shade of teal.
Then Christopher helped me find a pair of hiking poles (Leki Ultralite) and helped Sarah find an ultra light sleeping bag, cause girl would get cold on the Equator in July...and sleeping mats, though I told him which kind I had basically decided on (Big Agnes sleeping mat) and he agreed with my decision.
Now on to the second most important piece of equipment you have, your boots. Well I (for some god only knows reason) tried 2 different Women's shoes, and they were too small, and too narrow, so I went to the Men's department, where I should have taken my giant feet in the first place. I tried on 6 different pairs of boots until I actually found one my size, apparently I wear a Men's size 10.5 Wide (I normally wear a women's 11 wide) I finally settled on a pair of La Sportiva boots, that fit like a glove, and actually aren't hideous looking. Then I decided that I wanted a pair of hiking sandals as well, because well, I don't want to wear my boots ALL the time, plus on those really flat meseta days (the meseta is the plain in Spain, where if you believe Audrey Hepburn, it rains) it might be nice to wear some sandals instead of boots. I tried both Chaco and Teva sandals, and settled on the Chacos. Even though they're men's sandals, they're kind of cute, and they're even my color. Again even though I spent over an hour trying on shoe after shoe after shoe, the sales guy never got annoyed or snippy, he just kept helping me and giving me helpful suggestions.
Well by this point Sarah and I had been at REI for over 2.5 hours, and we were hungry! So as if happens, there was a Chipotle right across 494 from the REI store. I was in heaven. Steak Burrito YUM!
Then it was back to REI to check out their clothing selection, which wasn't great because they are just starting to get their summer stuff in, so we will be making another REI trip sometime in May.
I can't wait until we leave only 90 days and 19 hours until our flight leaves.
Well if you actually made it to the end of this long boring post, I'm sorry. This was more informative than witty. I can't be witty all the time! Geez!
Buen Camino!
Carrie
PS I tried to include links so they you guys could see all the stuff I was refering to, but for some reason blogger won't show my links, stupid blogger.
PPS So it wasn't stupid blogger, it was stupid Carrie. I figured out what I was doing wrong, and it's better now, with links to all my stuff!
Friday, February 19, 2010
A journey of a thousand (or 500) miles begins with a single step.
Well our first step has officially been taken. We have just received confirmation that we will be staying at Espirit du Chemin in St Jean Pied du Port, on June 9th. It's really happening people!
http://www.espritduchemin.org/
If you're interested in see where we're staying, check it out. I'm getting really excited for this trip!
If you're reading this, and would like to get a postcard from the camino, let me (or Sarah) know by e-mail along with your mailing address, (just so we know we have everything we need). I'm going to send SO many postcards! I love postcards!
Well have a great day!
Buen Camino!
Carrie
http://www.espritduchemin.org/
If you're interested in see where we're staying, check it out. I'm getting really excited for this trip!
If you're reading this, and would like to get a postcard from the camino, let me (or Sarah) know by e-mail along with your mailing address, (just so we know we have everything we need). I'm going to send SO many postcards! I love postcards!
Well have a great day!
Buen Camino!
Carrie
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Billets d'avion vers Paris
Well it is February 14th, Valentine's Day, and Sarah and I have purchased our tickets to the most romantic city in the world (or so I'm told.
We won't be in Paris for very long, just long enough to go through customs, get to the train station and get on the train (whenever it leaves).
We fly out of Minneapolis on June 8th at 3:45pm, flying straight to Paris. I'm SO excited. We'll actually start our camino on June 10th, and if all goes as planned, we'll get to Compostela by July 15th Meredith's 1st birthday.
The next big milestone is our big shopping trip to REI in the cities. That will be an expensive day, but a happy one.
It's hard to believe that in just 113 days we'll be sitting on a plane flying toward Paris.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
We won't be in Paris for very long, just long enough to go through customs, get to the train station and get on the train (whenever it leaves).
We fly out of Minneapolis on June 8th at 3:45pm, flying straight to Paris. I'm SO excited. We'll actually start our camino on June 10th, and if all goes as planned, we'll get to Compostela by July 15th Meredith's 1st birthday.
The next big milestone is our big shopping trip to REI in the cities. That will be an expensive day, but a happy one.
It's hard to believe that in just 113 days we'll be sitting on a plane flying toward Paris.
Adios and Buen Camino
Carrie
Saturday, February 13, 2010
In training
Well as we all know, most humans are not ready to get up tomorrow and start a 500 mile walk, myself being the prime example of that. Obviously training is a major part of prepping for El Camino, and possibly the second most important thing you do, the first is of course breaking in your boots.
For MY preparations ( I can't speak to Sarah's prep, though I know she is much further along than I am) I joined the local YMCA. I have been biking to build the strength in my legs. Because I always need a goal, I decided to bike the distance of La Vuelta de Espana (the tour de France, but in Spain)
Last year's Vuelta was 2074 miles. So far as of this writing, I have biked a total of 92.6 miles. I've gradually been switching from the "fat burning" pre-set on the bike to the "strength" pre-set. My goal is to be done with "La Vuelta" before I start El Camino, but I'm thinking that's not going to happen, unless I quit my job so I have more free time at night. :)
Wish me luck
God bless and Buen Camino
For MY preparations ( I can't speak to Sarah's prep, though I know she is much further along than I am) I joined the local YMCA. I have been biking to build the strength in my legs. Because I always need a goal, I decided to bike the distance of La Vuelta de Espana (the tour de France, but in Spain)
Last year's Vuelta was 2074 miles. So far as of this writing, I have biked a total of 92.6 miles. I've gradually been switching from the "fat burning" pre-set on the bike to the "strength" pre-set. My goal is to be done with "La Vuelta" before I start El Camino, but I'm thinking that's not going to happen, unless I quit my job so I have more free time at night. :)
Wish me luck
God bless and Buen Camino
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
It's all about the prep baby!
So it is approximately 4 months until our departure. So far I don't have boots, a backpack, any suitable clothing, a plane ticket, a guide book (though amazon says it's in the mail), or legs that are fit enough to get me even 1/3 of our planned daily distance.
So like the title says, it's all about the prep baby. I have PLANS to buy suitable clothing, boots and a pack. I have PLANS to buy a plane ticket in the VERY near future. I have a guide book ordered. And I have a membership at the YMCA.
These 4 months are going to FLY by. Stay tuned for more details.
Carrie
So like the title says, it's all about the prep baby. I have PLANS to buy suitable clothing, boots and a pack. I have PLANS to buy a plane ticket in the VERY near future. I have a guide book ordered. And I have a membership at the YMCA.
These 4 months are going to FLY by. Stay tuned for more details.
Carrie
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