New Pilgrims from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

[2turningthetide]

Hola,
We leave for our El Camino walk/pilgrimage on September 6 at night, flying to Heathrow, then on to Paris(CdeG) airport arriving in Biarrits, Spain, Sept. 7. We plan to stay in Biarrits overnight then take a train and or bus to Ronscevalles where we will begin our hike, slowly.

We are doing El Camino for many reasons however our main reason is to fundraise for The StephenLewisFoundation(http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org) We are part of a group called Omas Siskona(Grandmothers Together) of Kitchener-Waterloo. The Grandmothers groups number over 240 now in Canada and we are still growing. Our mandate is to raise $, advocate and educate re Grassroots projects supporting Grandmothers ,in sub-Saharan Africa(13 countries), who are raising over 13 million orphaned grandchildren.

We hope to reach Santiago de Compostela around Oct. 24. leaving us a few days before we head home to Canada Oct. 29th.

This has been on my bucket list for 20 years.

We are grandmothers(67 and 70) but we are in excellent health and form having walked many many hours in the last year, doing fitness training !

We also belong to the Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims.

Sorry this was so long winded.

Carol from Canada

 

[jacsprat]

Hi Carol!
Another Canadian (now living in the UK) pilgrim-to-be here. I start on Sept 6th as well, but will be cycling from Vezelay.
Best of luck to you and maybe we'll cross paths at some point (I'll be on a loaded bike with a small dog in a front carrier).
Buen Camino!!
Jacquie

 

[skilsaw]

Hi Carol,
Another Canadian here.
Being Grandmothers Together, you will identify with the grandmothers in Spain. Often dressed all in black, you see them minding toddlers. Not because the children are orphaned, but because the family sticks together, and this is Grandmother's role. They all live together. Different from Canada here, where we foist them off to old folks homes.

Maybe not always so Pollyana-ish, but this is how I saw them.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada

 

[Frood]

Ladies:

You rock big time. I take from your intro that you are part of the movement of grandmothers who who are connecting via the Stephen Lewis Foundation with Grandmothers in Africa who are the care givers of the of parents with AIDS/HIV.

I encourage others who are looking at these posts to also check out the links to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

This is profound connection that transcends boundaries. Bravo.

I am leaving from Le Puy in September, embarking on another journey after ten years.

Enjoy your walk, enjoy the moment.

Frood

 

[mohoward]

Go OMAS Go!!!! I'm from Oakville and walked last June and had the most amazing, incredible, and beautiful journey of my life. I'm sure you will feel the same. Enjoy and raise lots of money for Stephen Lewis foundation!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Welcome Carol,

I live just South of you in Cambridge and will be leaving May 4/18 for the Camino Frances.

 

[Deleted member 39850]

Buen Camino to the Omas;
I am a Kitchener resident, local professor, Camino SJPDP to Santiago in 2014, returning this summer to meet my dear spouse when he reaches Sahagun/Leon (whichever) in mid August.
Right now I am laid up with an SI joint injury in my hip, but in general, I walk 70-90 k per week through town. You could easily see me out there with my poles and pack.
So if you are looking for any assistance, I’d be happy to meet up.
My one “must” from here on: do not take one of those awful camp towels; instead, order a Turkish Foutah online. Cotton, quick dry, versatile!
Have a wonderful walk, ladies.
I will check out your link!