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