Many things to learn, to see, to experience. The most interesting for me besides the beautiful scenery, flowers, bugs, nature, etc. is the people we meet along the way. Tonight we met two lovely people from South Africa who actually walked from their home to the train station to start their trip. So many people, different backgrounds, so many stories, and yet a commonality among all. Not sure what that commonality is other than love of the outdoors and walking, but will learn along the way.
Of course we (cousin Barb and I) miss our families a lot, but we do enjoy the adventure of waking up each day in a new place and starting out again on a new journey. We have learned not to rush, to take all in that we can given the time we have. We will not be able to finish all the 500 miles for several reasons, but that will not matter to us. We do, however, wish to complete the last 100 km to get a certificate of accomplishment, but then truthfully, that does not really matter in the end. What matters is how we react, treat others, loose expectations, accept reality and enjoy what life has to offer. To not expect a pillow every night or a blanket every night is part of this walk. If we expect all amenities, we would not be happy and would complain. No one likes a constant complainer and I have found none along this walk. Most people are happy to smile as they pass or you pass them and all say, hola or buen Camino. Even if we have seen the same people 10 times, we still acknowledge each other.
Another fun event is sharing meals with those where one is staying. Two nights ago in Logrono was so special sharing dinner with probably 40 people and the meal prepared by volunteers. The people who volunteered in the Aubergue where we stayed were particularly wonderful and helpful.
Eating huge dinners late at night has been the hardest for us. We want to eat early and sometimes we do, but the meals for Pilgrims is huge and includes enough to feed 2 to 3 people. Of course water, bread and wine are included in the price as well as dessert which can be as simple as a plain yogurt. We have prepared ourselves each day to have enough water and food for breakfast (if not included) and lunch. I personally have on hand cheese, choriso, bread, chocolate, nuts, and plenty of water. In one of the big cities I treated myself to a fruit filled tarte. It was cold and delicious.
The mountains surrounding us everywhere, the blue skies and cumulonimbus clouds have been ever present to make spectacular photos (making me wish I had my good camera with me). I have a phone and all photos have been taken on that without any tripod, so I doubt any will be able to be enlarged well enough for printing. Before departing, I tried to get my backpack weight down to as close to 15 pounds as possible, but with water and food, I´m sure it is closer to 20 lbs. or possibly over. I have lost a pair of sunglasses, my set of maps and used up all my soap (a small shampoo container), foot rub from the states and replenished most all today. I am sharing liquid soap with my cousin until I can find a small container to purchase.
The aubergues are all different. Most have bunk beds with men and women staying in the same room. One place we stayed had only one shower for women, one for men and the same for toilet facilities. One would think there would be many lines, but not so far other then if many enter at the same time. At times there is a rush to do laundry as well, most by hand and occasionally by machine. The clothes line dries faster than the dryer, so I have stopped using a dryer unless it rains in the future.
I have realized socks don´t need to be washed daily (sorry, but true). One woman said she has worn the same outer pants since she arrived in Spain. Many of the folks working (volunteering) at the Albergue are so nice and overworked, but seem to enjoy their jobs.
Many of the aubergues sell wine and beer and have a lovely machine for coffee in the morning. We choose cafe con leche each day. The machine takes a long time and the cup is the size of a small dixie cup if you know what I mean, yet it is strong coffee and works well to start the day for us.
If we can, we like to eat lunch outside of any towns and take off our shoes and socks and air out a bit. There are many fountains along the way to supply good water. I fill my 3 liter Osprey bag each day either at night before I go to sleep or in the morning. I have yet to run out which makes me feel safe and good. I do carry one bottle on the side for extra, but really haven¨t yet needed it. I use that to take my pills if I^m not near my water supply and in bed.
I have learned how to climb in and out of a top bunk bed without killing myself. It is hard on the bare feet after walking all day, but I can do it. Today we are papmering ourselves with a room with two single beds. We hope to get some really great rest. Yesterday a woman was coughing all afternoon and we worried we wouldn´t sleep well, but we did.
We have met at least 3 father-daughter walkers which I thought unusual. One an American couple and his daughter had her good camera with her. She also designs clothing and they live in California. Another father is in his 70s for sure and she is probably 40 or 50 and had a problem with her knee. She had the problem! Amazing. There are married couples, many young males, young females, some together, some alone. What an amazing mixture.
Wish I could forward more photos, but I´m on a machine at the auburgue and no connectivity to my phone.
Hopefully more to come.
Good night.
Carol
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Nearing Departure!
Many things have happened since my last blog. I found a personal trainer at the YMCA in Warsaw, VA who helped me regain my core and improve my toning as well as being super supportive and rooting me on to better health.
Over time, I've lost 22 lbs and should have probably lost more, but I'm more concerned with my conditioning. I did very well up until the last month when one thing or another interrupted my routine. Of late, making final reservations for both air from Dulles to Madrid on United/Aer Lingus and transport by train from a Madrid rail station to Pamplona, have kept me on the computer for more than I care to admit. I've also been perusing albergues /refugios in Spain to stay our first and 2nd nights to make sure we have a place to stay when we are most tired. We don't want to arrive at St. Jean Pied de Port, France at 7 p.m. and start looking for a place to stay and eat. I think I have found the place and will soon know if it is confirmed.
Also, considering the first day is the toughest as it is in the Pyranees going over a pass, we opted to stay at a place perhaps 10 kms. from the first nights stay. I worry about the altitude adjustment and the steepness of that day. This will make it possible. We will stay at a place called the Orisson and arise 6 a.m. to start to Roncevalles, France, then once over that pass, the remainder of the trip will be in Spain.
I am getting excited, a bit nervous, feeling like I'm pressured for time to get all done I wish to get done before leaving. Hopefully it will all work out in the end.
We leave June 1, 2011.
Buen Camino!
Over time, I've lost 22 lbs and should have probably lost more, but I'm more concerned with my conditioning. I did very well up until the last month when one thing or another interrupted my routine. Of late, making final reservations for both air from Dulles to Madrid on United/Aer Lingus and transport by train from a Madrid rail station to Pamplona, have kept me on the computer for more than I care to admit. I've also been perusing albergues /refugios in Spain to stay our first and 2nd nights to make sure we have a place to stay when we are most tired. We don't want to arrive at St. Jean Pied de Port, France at 7 p.m. and start looking for a place to stay and eat. I think I have found the place and will soon know if it is confirmed.
Also, considering the first day is the toughest as it is in the Pyranees going over a pass, we opted to stay at a place perhaps 10 kms. from the first nights stay. I worry about the altitude adjustment and the steepness of that day. This will make it possible. We will stay at a place called the Orisson and arise 6 a.m. to start to Roncevalles, France, then once over that pass, the remainder of the trip will be in Spain.
I am getting excited, a bit nervous, feeling like I'm pressured for time to get all done I wish to get done before leaving. Hopefully it will all work out in the end.
We leave June 1, 2011.
Buen Camino!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
El Camino de Santiago de Compostela 2011
In January I began a walking/hiking program to get in shape to be able to walk the Way of St. James, from France to Spain on the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela with my cousin Barbs. I read about the Camino about 10 years ago and have been intrigued by it since then without committing to doing the walk. With the offer of having a companion to walk with me, I felt due to age and other things in my life that this was "the" time to do it.
I completed an Avon 3-Day walk from Frederick, Maryland to Washington, D.C. when I turned 53 in May of 2000. It was the hottest May I could recall especially for the beginning of the month. They almost canceled the walk on the 3rd day due to so many folks becoming dehydrated and being taken to local hospitals. I do NOT like heat and humidity and although I was in decent shape then, I still didn't like it.
Back then I trained with a wonderful group of women from February through May to get into shape to do 3 days. Fast forward 10 years and I won't say how many pounds, 2 breast cancers, 36 rounds of radiation, the loss of our son, and in the end a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP flap surgery this past July, and I'm thinking I can do this? I must be crazy. Then I think, why not? There are people who are 80 yrs. old with arthritis that can to this walk and millions who have gone before me with other ailments. Why can't I get into shape and do this at the age of 64 (I will turn that in May before the trip)? Now mind you, this July I had 11.5 hours of surgery and for a least a month, I did nothing physical. I lost all abdominal muscle control and just needed to heal. So I have a lot more than just weight loss and getting into shape to do.
So in January I took to hoofing it with my dog Lila around our very rural area over farm fields, in the woods, anywhere to get my ankles used to uneven terrain. We lack hills here, so Lila and I occasionally go to a beach and woods to walk up and down any incline we can find. Lila seems like all is a breeze to her. She is my 5 yr, old shiny black lab mix all of 60 lbs and fit as a fiddle. I have been more careful about her weight than mine in the past. Well, no longer!
Since I started, I have dropped 5 lbs. I've purchased my back pack and have used it on many walks with about 13 lbs of water and other things to mimick doing what I will have to do when I walk this summer.
My husband has been supportive and so have friends and family, although I'm sure they all think I'm loony. I guess I would too if I weren't the one doing it. I am using the Camino as a carrot to get me to where I need to be physically and mentally to proceed with life.
I will keep this blog going hopefully throughout the walk if I am able to do so.
For now, I'm happy with the results to date, but I still need to get on a regular schedule and add more workouts between the walks.
Signing off...
Feb. 15, 2011
I completed an Avon 3-Day walk from Frederick, Maryland to Washington, D.C. when I turned 53 in May of 2000. It was the hottest May I could recall especially for the beginning of the month. They almost canceled the walk on the 3rd day due to so many folks becoming dehydrated and being taken to local hospitals. I do NOT like heat and humidity and although I was in decent shape then, I still didn't like it.
Back then I trained with a wonderful group of women from February through May to get into shape to do 3 days. Fast forward 10 years and I won't say how many pounds, 2 breast cancers, 36 rounds of radiation, the loss of our son, and in the end a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP flap surgery this past July, and I'm thinking I can do this? I must be crazy. Then I think, why not? There are people who are 80 yrs. old with arthritis that can to this walk and millions who have gone before me with other ailments. Why can't I get into shape and do this at the age of 64 (I will turn that in May before the trip)? Now mind you, this July I had 11.5 hours of surgery and for a least a month, I did nothing physical. I lost all abdominal muscle control and just needed to heal. So I have a lot more than just weight loss and getting into shape to do.
So in January I took to hoofing it with my dog Lila around our very rural area over farm fields, in the woods, anywhere to get my ankles used to uneven terrain. We lack hills here, so Lila and I occasionally go to a beach and woods to walk up and down any incline we can find. Lila seems like all is a breeze to her. She is my 5 yr, old shiny black lab mix all of 60 lbs and fit as a fiddle. I have been more careful about her weight than mine in the past. Well, no longer!
Since I started, I have dropped 5 lbs. I've purchased my back pack and have used it on many walks with about 13 lbs of water and other things to mimick doing what I will have to do when I walk this summer.
My husband has been supportive and so have friends and family, although I'm sure they all think I'm loony. I guess I would too if I weren't the one doing it. I am using the Camino as a carrot to get me to where I need to be physically and mentally to proceed with life.
I will keep this blog going hopefully throughout the walk if I am able to do so.
For now, I'm happy with the results to date, but I still need to get on a regular schedule and add more workouts between the walks.
Signing off...
Feb. 15, 2011
Friday, December 17, 2010
Trees & things
Egg casing of insect
Tipularia discolor, Cranefly orchis
Head of the trail
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