Right Before I Leave I.....

[Coleen Clark]

Starting my second Camino in August of this year, and I am keeping the tradition I started two years ago. I am having a big Paella Dinner at church and inviting all my friends, who each bring me a feather to carry (lighter than rocks!) and I leave the feathers along the way for them. (I make killer Paella). Last year two other friends went on Camino, and I did a big Paella dinner for one of them too. They got the obligatory feathers and much needed advice and encouragement.
Do you have a special ceremony, party, routine, celebration or do you go quietly into the night?

 

[Davey Boyd]

I try to go quietly in the night, but family and friends keep trying to kidnap me before I set off for a goodbye. They probably have a big party after I have left too!

 

[Mike Savage]

I try to go quietly in the night, but family and friends keep trying to kidnap me before I set off for a goodbye. They probably have a big party after I have left too!

Pretty much the same for me too. I like to leave quietly and contemplatively and I'm sure there is a big party at home as soon as the plane is in the air.

 

[VNwalking]

The idea of a ritual is beautiful, but it's not something I could pull off, logistically. So I just go.
But then my life is not lived in one place, so it's more accurate to say that I just continue.
The feathers, and friends--this sounds very special, Coleen!

 

[Coleen Clark]

Lots of people I know are unable to go on Camino for one reason or another. I take them with me on my journey with the feathers and daily posts home and postcards (they love mail!) and of course I leave a map of Spain up so that they can mark where I am. I'm the Children's RE Administrator, and the kids get a real thrill when they receive a postcard with a fun stamp. The Paella Dinner is a way for everyone to feel the love of the journey, and for each other.
BTW, I microwave the feathers before they go into my backpack. Don't want any American mites to Europe.

 

[Kanga]

I'm usually rushing to get things done at the last minute so I'm very impressed by someone who can organise a ritual paella! My ritual is packing.

 

[Bradypus]

Being a confirmed misanthrope I would hate the idea of a send-off party. My last minute ritual is to pat down the pockets of my trousers to make sure that the pouch with passport/money/tickets is on one side and my mobile phone is on the other. A ritual I repeat frequently along the way as I have the absentmindedness and short-term memory usually attributed to goldfish and have to reassure myself constantly

 

[jpflavin1]

Starting my second Camino in August of this year, and I am keeping the tradition I started two years ago. I am having a big Paella Dinner at church and inviting all my friends, who each bring me a feather to carry (lighter than rocks!) and I leave the feathers along the way for them. (I make killer Paella). Last year two other friends went on Camino, and I did a big Paella dinner for one of them too. They got the obligatory feathers and much needed advice and encouragement.
Do you have a special ceremony, party, routine, celebration or do you go quietly into the night?

Coleen:

Go out to dinner with friends and family. You never know.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[notion900]

....worry that I've left the gas on.

 

[notion900]

I make killer Paella

Not literally I hope

 

[Coleen Clark]

Not literally I hope

Well, I won't be around for the Arrest...

 

[Bradypus]

(I make killer Paella).

Different set of guests each time?

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Being a confirmed misanthrope I would hate the idea of a send-off party. My last minute ritual is to pat down the pockets of my trousers to make sure that the pouch with passport/money/tickets is on one side and my mobile phone is on the other. A ritual I repeat frequently along the way as I have the absentmindedness and short-term memory usually attributed to goldfish and have to reassure myself constantly

I have a good memory, it's just short.

 

[Icacos]

......ritual is to pat down the pockets of my trousers to make sure that the pouch with passport/money/tickets is on one side and my mobile phone is on the other. A ritual I repeat frequently along the way ......

Be aware that would-be pickpockets watch people doing just this so they know which pockets to target.

 

[Bradypus]

Be aware that would-be pickpockets watch people doing just this so they know which pockets to target.

Thanks for the reminder. I do try not to be very obvious about it in public. Also the pockets concerned have big chunky zips that make it pretty much impossible to open them and slip in a hand unnoticed. I never keep anything of value in an open pocket or a removable pouch.