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
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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!
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