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Weight
Weight is, of course, the great issue. This is why I appreciate the fact that I sing. It takes time to memorize tunes, but I have enough that it gets me through the day. It walso is great inspiration during the difficult times on the trail.
Instruments are a great luxury. I recall...
Gear
Glenn,
Regarding the color of your bottles, I find that darker bottles absorb more heat than ligher colored ones.
I like the biggest pack towel I can find. It maximizes the amount of water I can get off me.
I still like a headlamp better than a hand held. It always keeps two...
Poncho
I purchased a U.S. Army poncho last summer that does the job quite well for me. It is very light weight, hooded and has a series of snaps along the side that allow me to secure the edges of the poncho or let them flap.
An added advantage is that is can double as a ground cloth or...
Osprey pack
I picked up an Osprey Atmos 50 pack last month and have been very impressed with it. It is light weight (3 lbs.), has places for two water bottles, can handle Camelbak water bladder if desired, and has a great supension system that allows air to circulate while keeping the pack...
Trail Shoes
I've have good experience with the Merrell Reflex II Trail Shoe.
It's low cut, sturdy and is very stable. You still have to contend with the Gore Tex factor, though.
Chant
For those so interested, there are a number of monasteries throughout the world that are dedicated to Gregorian Chant. Some I even prefer to the monks at Silos.
My personal favorite is St. Mary's Monastery/St. Scholastica's Priory in Petersham, MA. This is a men's & women's...
Interesting
It's interesting to note than nearly as many Canadians did the Camino as Americans, especially in light of the relative size of our two nations.
Truth
<I'm trying to slap every romantic idea I get right down and imagine traipsing up hills in driving rain and cold wind with unhappy children and awkward donkeys.>
The cognitive dissonance one experiences trying to reconcile the ideals of the journey with the realities of the road can be...
Departure
Well, the info about winter pilgrimage was heartening for me.
The whole job switch may be coming up sooner than I thought, so I might be leaving for a February/March camino.
SALE
We've been celebrating that Christmas tradition since December 26th here in New York. I was at the stores at 8 am with my father to pick up a bunch of suits for the new year at 55% off.
Hotspots
Jonella,
I'll address the hotspot question.
Sometimes while you are walking you will feel a hot spot on your foot. When this happens, don't grin and bear it with the hope that it will go away by itself.
The hotspot is caused by friction acting on your foot, and you need to...
Another
From my reading, I'm inclined to believe San Ignacio de Loyola and San Francisco Xavier (two early Jesuits) travelled to Santiago de Compostella.
Care
Travelling with pack animals has its own demands on humilty. Your animal is your first concern in the morning and your last concern at night. When resting, you care for your animal before giving the slightest attention to yourself.
It's an interesting spiritual and physical exercise...
Dogs
I find traveling with a walking stick(s) is a great benefit when concerned with dogs.
I've never had to use them on an animal, but felt a greater level of security that I had something to use if (Heaven forbid) the situation arose.
Original
Here's the original:
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die
A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal
A time to tear down, and a time to...
Barcelona
I highly recommend spending a day or two in Barcelona. The architecture of Gaudi is amazing and the people are warm and friendly. The food is also fantastic.
You'll be seeing plenty of churches during your walk, but I recommend visiting Monteserrat and the statue of the Virgin...
Nave?
I like how the "nave" of the cathedral (the long arm of the building where the congregation stands) is called the "ship" by the translator.
Of course, that's what the word literally means, since the Church is the Ship of Peter (or even better, the Barque of Peter) sailing on the stormy...
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