Leaving in two weeks

[MCFearnley]

Hi all,

I have been reading the posts on this forum and I am so looking forward to my departure for Madrid in two weeks on the 11th of September, but at the same time it is with trepidation as I have never done anything of the sort.

My name is Claire from Montreal, Canada and I will be doing my first Camino starting in Ponferrada and taking the time it takes me to walk the 200km to get to Santiago. I am walking alone (my hubby is staying home), but I know I will meet plenty of people along the way. I am at a time in my life where I feel the need to shed a lot of baggage that I have been carrying around in my life. The barnacles that have collected on my metaphoric hull need to be scraped off to get back into the world with a better relationship with myself, my family, my friends, the rest of the world and God. And if I can lose a couple of pounds while I am at it, it will be a bonus ;-)

A couple of months ago I felt a call to do the Camino and it resonated with me completely (a retreat in a monastery would not cut it). I have been training and I feel I am ready and yet at the same time I feel woefully unprepared. Am I taking too much stuff, too little? As a celiac will I suffer from gluten contamination? Will there be room at the inn for my nights? Will I manage to walk all those kilometres day after day?

I have read often on this forum that the Camino will not necessarily give us what we want, but instead will give us what we need. I have a feeling the line "Give us this day our daily bread" will take on a whole new meaning on the Way.

A friend has given me a small scallop shell she once found on a beach as a gift for my pilgrimage. On the 11th, the day of my departure, I will get a special blessing from my priest and my church family at the morning service. I know prayers will accompany me on this journey.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have read often on this forum that the Camino will not necessarily give us what we want, but instead will give us what we need.

It will give you a bit of both, but I found the primary lesson was that I had to accept what it offered, which often was closer to what I needed than what I wanted. I may have wanted a private room, but settled for a dorm bed. If you start by wanting only shelter, then you are more likely to get what you want (though it may not be where you want it...)! Buen camino.

 

[james walter purdum iv]

open your heart and just put one foot in front of the other....

 

[SYates]

Buen Camino and enjoy every step! SY

 

[Ants]

Enjoy the camino..Go with an open mind surprises awaits....Buen Camino

 

[Waka]

Just go with the flow and you'll be surprised at the wonderful experience you will have.