Balance: living from the inside out and outside in

[Sue Kranz]

Wow! I'm leaving from NYC on May 17th!
In 1997, I trekked the Annapurna circuit, up to 18,000 ft, (the hardest thing I've ever done!), so I know a bit about a long walk/hike through a diversity of fauna, flora, and folks. It was an amazing experience.

On the trek in Nepal, I got caught up with a group of party-ers. I was more interested in peeling potatoes in the kitchen and learning Nepalese songs! I found it hard to take off and chart a different path and became isolated and depressed. When I finally left them, I was so happy and grounded, singing all the way along the trail.

All these later, I decided to fulfill another dream: to walk El Camino de Santiago. I still can't believe I am going, but it's the right time and place in my life to embark. I took a leave from my 30 year elementary school teaching life and have never felt happier in my life! Over the last couple of year, I developed a mindfulness/meditation practice which has helped me to stay grounded and accepting of all that transpires.

I know I can handle the physical and emotional ups and downs on the Camino. One goal for the walk (of the known and unknown reasons), is to find a graceful balance between the external and internal realms.

This time, I hope to draw upon my inner resilience and listen and trust my intuition and heart.

Advise for this 50 something traveler?

Thanks for ALL of your collective kindness. This blog is so welcoming and encouraging.

A bow to you all.
Sue

 

[nycwalking]

Last time I walked I was 52 flying out of JFK. The shoulder season is when many, many 50+ peregrinos are on the trek. Enjoy.
Buen camino.

 

[maevlilu]

I will start from SJPDP 21. of May. Looking forward to the long walk, time for myself and time with others. Turning 50 next year, and I am confident that this is the right time for me. Perhaps we will see each other.

 

[notion900]

The quantity of accommodation on the French Way will enable you to exercise a lot of flexibility in how far you walk each day and where you stay. This has the marvellous side effect of making it possible to spend time with people, say goodbye, and then bump into them again. So you'll be able to combine sociality with solitude to your heart's content. After the Annapurna Circuit the walk won't seem hard. Just relax, enjoy the landscape, culture and people of Spain. Learn some words of Spanish is my only advice: your efforts in using the language will be repaid a hundred times.

 

[Kelli Leydecker]

I walked the Camino Frances last May/June. My advice on the social end of things is to find your "tribe". If you're not really comfortable with with the people you are surrounded by, speed up or slow down for a day or two and mix with a different group. I mostly walked alone, but at the end of the day it was wonderful to see my new friends and share our stories. It took me a few weeks to "find" them, but they helped make my Camino experience as wonderful as it was. Buen Camino!

 

[Sue Kranz]

I walked the Camino Frances last May/June. My advice on the social end of things is to find your "tribe". If you're not really comfortable with with the people you are surrounded by, speed up or slow down for a day or two and mix with a different group. I mostly walked alone, but at the end of the day it was wonderful to see my new friends and share our stories. It took me a few weeks to "find" them, but they helped make my Camino experience as wonderful as it was. Buen Camino!

Thanks! What was the weather like? What raingear did you bring? Also, debating about the silk liner vs. 1 lb. sleeping bag. One more! What did you do with your luggage? That is, anything at all that you weren't waking with? I started reading about the "jitters" and somehow now I have them, thinking about what are the lightest, more essential things to bring, and making all the wrong decisions!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Bad decisions can be corrected at any trash bin or store. Make the best choices you can now, but Spain is not third world. It equips half the pilgrims each year.

A fair number of Viagra lotharios walk. If they irritate you, brush them off!!

Everyone else will enhance your experience.

 

[Kelli Leydecker]

Thanks! What was the weather like? What raingear did you bring? Also, debating about the silk liner vs. 1 lb. sleeping bag. One more! What did you do with your luggage? That is, anything at all that you weren't waking with? I started reading about the "jitters" and somehow now I have them, thinking about what are the lightest, more essential things to bring, and making all the wrong decisions!

Lots of rain and lots of lovely sunshine too. I just took a poncho. It was easier to get off and on than a pack cover and rain jacket. I also did just fine with a liner rather than a sleeping bag. I didn't have any luggage other than what I carried in my pack (about 18-19 lbs). After the first few days it didn't feel heavy at all. Those jitters are just excitement and anticipation! You will be fine!!!

 

[Sue Kranz]

Lots of rain and lots of lovely sunshine too. I just took a poncho. It was easier to get off and on than a pack cover and rain jacket. I also did just fine with a liner rather than a sleeping bag. I didn't have any luggage other than what I carried in my pack (about 18-19 lbs). After the first few days it didn't feel heavy at all. Those jitters are just excitement and anticipation! You will be fine!!!

What shoes did you bring/wear? Blisters? I've read about the vasoline layer...sounds worth trying.

 

[Kelli Leydecker]

I wore low top Merrill boots - waterproof (with arch support insoles). I had one blister about 2 weeks in and that was only because I didn't listen to my feet. My feet had already spent a lot of time in those boots, so I had callous in all the right spots. I changed to dry socks at about the halfway point everyday and taped hot spots before they became blisters. I ended up knowing where the hotspots were going to be so just did preventative taping in the mornings. I also had a pair of flip flops for afternoon exploring once I reached my destination for the day. My toes loved being able to wiggle and breathe for a bit!

 

[Sue Kranz]

Thanks....did you need to filter any water on the way?

 

[Stephen]

I'm in Santiago now having just completed the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon. Last August/September I walked the French Camino. The water everywhere is fine. If you're worried about water quality from faucets, bottles are available in shops and cafes.

 

[Sue Kranz]

Wow! Congrats...must have been quite a different journey. I thought of doing it, but want to brush up on my Spanish...I first became fluent in 1979 in Bilbao and haven't been back since!

Did you have any extra clothing or books, etc. that you didn't want to walk with? My regular day pack that I take on the plane usually weighs about 7 pounds, with my transverse flute in there (I'm walking with it. It is indispensable )

Gracias...
Sue

 

[Kelli Leydecker]

Thanks....did you need to filter any water on the way?

Nope. Just pay attention to the signs on the water fountains. Some of them are non-potable. Most are perfectly fine.

 

[HighlandsHiker]

Bad decisions can be corrected at any trash bin or store. Make the best choices you can now, but Spain is not third world. It equips half the pilgrims each year.

A fair number of Viagra lotharios walk. If they irritate you, brush them off!!

Everyone else will enhance your experience.

Thanks for the confirmation, Falcon:0). Over 2 Caminos, I've thought what fun it would be to see the hits of a Viagra-sniffing drug dog out there. It really is necessary to not let them latch on, which isn't always easy.

 

[HedaP]

My regular day pack that I take on the plane usually weighs about 7 pounds, with my transverse flute in there (I'm walking with it. It is indispensable )

Yay. Will you be testing out the acoustics in churches along the camino?

 

[Sue Kranz]

Yay. Will you be testing out the acoustics in churches along the camino?

I hope to! I never travel without it. It opens so many doors into friendship and cultural sharing.

Once in Greece, I played with a family of Romani (Gypsies) on the street! We didn't speak the same language, but the welcoming looks led to jamming, leading to sharing food, etc. Music is truly the universal language!

Have you seen the trailer for the film about the young musician who walked the Camino with his cello strapped to his back, concertizing in various villages/cities along the way! Very exciting...

Buen Camino....

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Acoustics:

In France the hostess took us to the church after dinner. She had a cassette player with organ hymns. A male flight attendant with Air France was helping for the weekend. She positioned the player, herself, and the baritone voice in precise locations in the church. We then listened to fifteen minutes of the best choir music in the country from just three excellent music sources. A moment to be remembered.

It all came from knowing the acoustics.

 

[Sue Kranz]

Acoustics:

In France the hostess took us to the church after dinner. She had a cassette player with organ hymns. A male flight attendant with Air France was helping for the weekend. She positioned the player, herself, and the baritone voice in precise locations in the church. We then listened to fifteen minutes of the best choir music in the country from just three excellent music sources. A moment to be remembered.

It all came from knowing the acoustics.

In my experience, it all unfolds from these two philosophies: working with that delicate balance between making things happen, and letting things happen; and, never ventured, never gained.

Expect nothing, embrace everything!

 

[Sue Kranz]

Wonderful musical experience!

 

[KJFSophie]

Wow! I'm leaving from NYC on May 17th!
In 1997, I trekked the Annapurna circuit, up to 18,000 ft, (the hardest thing I've ever done!), so I know a bit about a long walk/hike through a diversity of fauna, flora, and folks. It was an amazing experience.

On the trek in Nepal, I got caught up with a group of party-ers. I was more interested in peeling potatoes in the kitchen and learning Nepalese songs! I found it hard to take off and chart a different path and became isolated and depressed. When I finally left them, I was so happy and grounded, singing all the way along the trail.

All these later, I decided to fulfill another dream: to walk El Camino de Santiago. I still can't believe I am going, but it's the right time and place in my life to embark. I took a leave from my 30 year elementary school teaching life and have never felt happier in my life! Over the last couple of year, I developed a mindfulness/meditation practice which has helped me to stay grounded and accepting of all that transpires.

I know I can handle the physical and emotional ups and downs on the Camino. One goal for the walk (of the known and unknown reasons), is to find a graceful balance between the external and internal realms.

This time, I hope to draw upon my inner resilience and listen and trust my intuition and heart.

Advise for this 50 something traveler?

Thanks for ALL of your collective kindness. This blog is so welcoming and encouraging.

A bow to you all.
Sue

I can't speak to the season in which you will be walking. I've completed both of the CF in Sept/Oct. But I can speak to your age, Ms 50 something traveller, as I started walking camino at age 55 and will complete my fourth this September at 60 yrs. I think age has less to do with walking and completing the trek than the right frame of mind, a willingness to expect a few minor disasters along the way and an acceptance of that , knowing that at your age you can handle anything without crumbling

Walk with Joy !