We still have 6 very long months to go 
, but the countdown has begun!
My colleague (42) and I (58) will start in Porto, together with 6 very sweet girls between 16 and 21. These kids all have a long history of neglection, abuse and violence in many aspects, were victims of bullying etc. As a result, they carry a heavy load of borderline and/or bipolar disorder, emotional troubles, educational problems, eating disorder etc., so their backpack is already full Since it will take a lot of motivation, care, reflection, stress reduction and the building of confidence, we plan 17 walking days and 3 resting days. By the way, I'm the only experienced pilgrim among 7 newbies. OMG, now thát's what I call a huge adventure...
The whole idea initially started as some kind of a cheeky joke. Within our institution I'm that crazy ol' lady, who "always" goes on pilgrimage. And I guess they are right: CF in 2001 & 2008, Del Norte in 2011, CP in 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2016. While sharing my latest experiences over dinner, one of the girls mentioned reading a book about the Camino, another one had seen a movie about it, the third one said she wanted to see some of my pictures (I guess she didn't really believe me and wanted some prove), and then my colleague asked me when (mind you, WHEN, not IF) I would go on Camino with her and the girls. Laughing out loudly indeed.
I must confess that I haven't really tried to make it tasty. Blisters, sore muscles, hunger, thirst, the mixed dorms and the snoring in the albergues, going uphill and downhill on steep and rocky tracks, a 10 kilo backpack, and continuing our walk in spite of heat or cold or rain, thunder, lightning and tornados... It was useless: the challenge (yes, we can!) became even bigger.
The Camino will provide, and I have never experienced anything else indeed, but with thís bunch in tow, I really have to guarantee some security.
? Does anybody know if it's possible to make a reservation in Albergue Ninho/Rubiaes? It will take us hours to cross the "hell of Rubiaes" and by the time we arrive, the municipal will surely be completo. On the assumption that we all survive
? Have you ever stayed in the former monastery Casa de la Virgin in Pontevedra? It looks as if they have affordable single rooms - by then the girls will just love one night of privacy.
? Does the Albergue in Portela de Barro take reservations? We'll have to split the stage from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, since 24 km is undoubtedly too far for the newbies.
? Does anybody know if Ryanair will take our walking sticks home (Santiago - Frankfurt Hahn) for free? We will find/cut our own ones on the way, but I know the girls will get very attached to them and I would love to take them home.
It won't be easy. A lot of tears will flow, and we'll have to endure many panic attacks and manage many different problems, but the Camino apperently called us.... I pray to God that HE/SHE will give me the power and the persistence to guide these 7 newbies from Porto to Santiago. And I definitely need the strength to separate my own desires from the requests of this pilgrimage. Then this time it's definitely nót about strolling the Camino to my own conditions...
Thank you for sharing these thoughts with me. And thank you for your answers to my questions. Have a nice weekend and... buen camino!
, but the countdown has begun! My colleague (42) and I (58) will start in Porto, together with 6 very sweet girls between 16 and 21. These kids all have a long history of neglection, abuse and violence in many aspects, were victims of bullying etc. As a result, they carry a heavy load of borderline and/or bipolar disorder, emotional troubles, educational problems, eating disorder etc., so their backpack is already full
Since it will take a lot of motivation, care, reflection, stress reduction and the building of confidence, we plan 17 walking days and 3 resting days. By the way, I'm the only experienced pilgrim among 7 newbies. OMG, now thát's what I call a huge adventure...The whole idea initially started as some kind of a cheeky joke. Within our institution I'm that crazy ol' lady, who "always" goes on pilgrimage. And I guess they are right: CF in 2001 & 2008, Del Norte in 2011, CP in 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2016. While sharing my latest experiences over dinner, one of the girls mentioned reading a book about the Camino, another one had seen a movie about it, the third one said she wanted to see some of my pictures (I guess she didn't really believe me and wanted some prove), and then my colleague asked me when (mind you, WHEN, not IF) I would go on Camino with her and the girls. Laughing out loudly indeed.
I must confess that I haven't really tried to make it tasty. Blisters, sore muscles, hunger, thirst, the mixed dorms and the snoring in the albergues, going uphill and downhill on steep and rocky tracks, a 10 kilo backpack, and continuing our walk in spite of heat or cold or rain, thunder, lightning and tornados... It was useless: the challenge (yes, we can!) became even bigger.
The Camino will provide, and I have never experienced anything else indeed, but with thís bunch in tow, I really have to guarantee some security.
? Does anybody know if it's possible to make a reservation in Albergue Ninho/Rubiaes? It will take us hours to cross the "hell of Rubiaes" and by the time we arrive, the municipal will surely be completo. On the assumption that we all survive
? Have you ever stayed in the former monastery Casa de la Virgin in Pontevedra? It looks as if they have affordable single rooms - by then the girls will just love one night of privacy.
? Does the Albergue in Portela de Barro take reservations? We'll have to split the stage from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, since 24 km is undoubtedly too far for the newbies.
? Does anybody know if Ryanair will take our walking sticks home (Santiago - Frankfurt Hahn) for free? We will find/cut our own ones on the way, but I know the girls will get very attached to them and I would love to take them home.
It won't be easy. A lot of tears will flow, and we'll have to endure many panic attacks and manage many different problems, but the Camino apperently called us.... I pray to God that HE/SHE will give me the power and the persistence to guide these 7 newbies from Porto to Santiago. And I definitely need the strength to separate my own desires from the requests of this pilgrimage. Then this time it's definitely nót about strolling the Camino to my own conditions...
Thank you for sharing these thoughts with me. And thank you for your answers to my questions. Have a nice weekend and... buen camino!
