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When I had the pack fitted, I just went with the recommendations - I needed a 55L Osprey. Oh my gosh, I am so relieved I posted this for myself. I need a different pack!
Hi Jo, It is said in life we regret the things we don't do more than the things we do. Good on you for not dismissing The Call...it may have taken time but you're already well on your Way. I'm a reasonably experienced Long Distance Walker (LDW) by now but I still have a crisis-of-confidence before each trip...I'm feeling that way now as I head off to walk the Via Francigena from London to Rome in March.I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
What pack do you have?I treated myself to a new pack for my second Camino. What a difference. Although the pack itself was a similar weight, the new one was SOOO much more comfortable and easier. I tried very pack I could find over a couple of months, and found the salespeople generally to be not that helpful. Usually too young, and have never done anything like a Camino themselves. (Buying shoes was a similar experience - I did my own research and had to insist on not following their advice)
I carried the same weight 6kgs both times, but my new pack was brilliant. They have to fit your body shape well, so it's worth the time to get the right one.
Something else that may help you is the use of walking poles. I am a recent convert to two poles, I wouldn't walk without them now. There are earlier threads about this you can read up on.
I’m from the US –
For so long I..............
.- Jo
I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
My new one is an Osprey Sirrus 50 - it also has (but I rarely used) a zip on the side to give access without going through the top. My old one was a Deuter that seemed OK in the shop but wasnt.What pack do you have?
I imagine everyone second guesses themselves to some degree before a journey like this. I know I sure did. It was the first thing I wrote in my journal! But like the millions before me and what surely the millions after will do, I made it and came back a different person. I am confident you will have a great time walking and reflecting. In May you will have plenty of company and the way is so well marked you will have no troubles. My only suggestion is to try and shed some pack weight. A nice weight is well under 24 lbs. if you could hit 14-15 lbs it will make an enormous difference and you could well consider carrying your pack. If not, nothing wrong with shipping the pack ahead. In the old days that’s was the donkeys job!!
I found a pack of around 30L worked well for me but what is important is the fit and comfort on you. You'll be spending a lot of time with it. Get one that works for you (not against youWhen I had the pack fitted, I just went with the recommendations - I needed a 55L Osprey. Oh my gosh, I am so relieved I posted this for myself. I need a different pack!
You have to go a long way to beat an Osprey pack [forum members this my opinion please disagree if you wish]. I use a Kestrel 38 which comfortably takes a sleeping back and all I need with room to spare - my pack weight including water is about 16 lbs. A 55 litre pack is far to big.When I had the pack fitted, I just went with the recommendations - I needed a 55L Osprey. Oh my gosh, I am so relieved I posted this for myself. I need a different pack!
Jo,I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
I carried 9 lbs last year. I am small framed and in '17 I unloaded a bunch if stuff after one day. There are plenty of stores and Farmacia along the way if you find you need something.I hope you find the actual experience less daunting than whatever you are imagining right now. One thought strikes me from your post: why carry 24 pounds of weight? Have you already decided on your packing list and found it added up to that? For a summer camino that sounds very heavy. If you take a little of your time in hand to review what you need and take advice on lightweight options you may find yourself with far less weight on both your back and your mind. Many people have posted their packing lists here which you may find helpful to begin with.
Please send me your suggestions for backpacks and fitting and proper adjustments.Hi, Jo, and a warm welcome to the Forum....
I have some things for consideration with regard to backpacks and fitting and proper adjustments that I'd like to share if you'd wish. Let me know.
The very first thing to understand is that you will more than likely experience the goals which you have been hoping for by walking a Camino.
I have thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail. I backpack, and hope to be able to continue doing so, hundreds of miles every year in the Cascades, Rockies, and Sierra Nevada. I've also walked the Camino Frances twice... the first time from St Jean Pied de Port to Burgos; and this last time from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago d Compostela.
I mention the above because walking a Camino is not similar -- in most ways -- as backpacking in the mountains on a multiday trip, or as a 6 month long thru hike on the PCT or the Appalachian Trail. The techniques and knowledge base and skills and gear and loads and supplies.... none of that is either shared or needed when walking the Camino vs wilderness backpacking.
And for you, that can be a HUGE positive thing because the logistics of walking are easier to accomplish on Camino where you do not have to carry a 5 to 7 day supply of food, fuel and cooking gear, carry a tent or worry about a lot of 'what ifs' because you are going to be mostly isolated in the wild and far removed from immediate help.
Yes the scenery and surroundings are different. Not bad or good, just different. As a lifelong backpacker, mountaineer, and climber, I did not mentally or spiritually insist that walking the Camino would be the same as backpacking. If I had left that 'filter' of expectations about backpacking in place for the Camino, and not have been able to adapt my expectations and goals, I would have hated walking Camino. I would have been constantly disappointed that the Camino was not the same as the Goat Rocks Wilderness, or the John Muir Trail, or even a day hike in the Cascades.
And if I had stubbornly clung to that backpacker 'filter' as a Camino walker/pilgrim, than I would have been the problem, not the Camino.
I mention all of the above just so that you can start focusing on preparing your walking for Camino instead of a backpacking trip.
To be certain, there are similar techniques, knowledge, and even some of the types of gear -- like backpacks -- which are shared both by Camino pilgrims and by backpackers. The difference is in the amount and types of gear, the fact that you don't need to pack for 'just in case' situations, and that you will have a lot of fellow travelers share your walk with you.
You are basically walking town to town and village to village... with some big metropolitan areas thrown into the mix. Think of it as walking 10 miles to 15 miles from your hometown to the next town near to you. You have restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, lodging facilities, etc along the way. If you need something that you don't have with you, you can easily stop and buy it. Tired and ready to call it a day? You can stay at the next motel. Hungry? Stop at a convenience store or grocery store or food joint and grab something to eat.
When it is all said and done, the basic logistics of walking Camino are just that simple.
Because the walking logistics are that simple, my total backpack weight for Camino is about 9.5 pounds. That is in comparison to a total pack weight of 23 pounds on the Pacific Crest Trail between resupply points which were usually 5 to 8 days. And that, my dear Jo, is a big positive for walking the Camino and one of the reasons why doing so will result in a far larger likelihood that you will feel you have been able to embrace your goals and reach you chosen destination, than if you were attempting to thru-hike the PCT
Walking the Camino can be a spiritually and physically soothing and joyous experience.
As I said above, let me know if you would like any help or advice on practical issues pertaining to gear, shoes, etc. You can either reach me by posting a question as a new thread, or better still, sending me a private message via this Forum.
There are a lot of experienced pilgrims, backpackers, and walkers on the Forum that will also be of help. I have read some advice offered here and in other threads directed at other members which, among good and solid advice that is given, is incorrect and even potentially damaging. It is difficult for a beginner to discern when problematic advice is given, especially in a Forum where so much of the recommendations and advice is spot on.
Here is a re-posting of something that I sometimes am able to share with new members who join:
-----------------------------
American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) has a nice FAQs about a pilgrimage on a Camino which may give you some additional help.
The good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.
My suggestion to start is this:
------------------------------------
- Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, if anxieties and fears threaten to overwhelm you as you plan, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
- Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
- Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
- Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
- If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
- Remember that perfect timing as it relates to how you feel, scheduling, and day to day life issues, seldom align themselves perfectly. If one waits for such to occur, doing something like a pilgrimage will always be in danger of taking a back seat while you wait for that perfect alignment to happen.
What was your pack?THIS ☝☝ my pack was exactly 14lbs before water and snacks. You don't need more than that.
I'm not Dave Bugg, but I'll do my best to answer your questions anyways.Please send me your suggestions for backpacks and fitting and proper adjustments.
I do realize that the Camino is no through hike. I have learnt so much in reading and watching material for a though hike for many years. Never pulling the stop when I should have and gone. The knowledge of abilities, gear and survival skills was enormous. I will never get to put them to use. I probably could have used a mule but it wasn’t for me. Too many what ifs. My daughter always scolds me on the “what ifs”.
I know I can walk, hiking is another thing, I know there will be a few places that will feel like a hike and I am looking forward to them just to dream a little but as many have said on the forum, make it your Camino walk. I won’t even have to pretend that the mountains are calling me. What you have told me here, makes me even more focused.
In about a week or so, I should have a list of the necessities I deem I should take and I can have you take a look.
Three questions I have that may be in the FAQs you suggested I read and I will read this evening:
Should I take two credit cards, plus one debit card and how do I get cash in France to start my trip to SJPdP?
How much cash should I have with me daily on the Camino?
Do you have any cell phone ideas for me? My daughter suggested to go with T Mobile and then cancel when I return home.
What you said that was remarkably great for me. . . “And if I had stubbornly clung to that backpacker 'filter' as a Camino walker/pilgrim, than I would have been the problem, not the Camino”.
Thank you so much Dave –
Jo
Please send me your suggestions for backpacks and fitting and proper adjustments.
I do realize that the Camino is no through hike. I have learnt so much in reading and watching material for a though hike for many years. Never pulling the stop when I should have and gone. The knowledge of abilities, gear and survival skills was enormous. I will never get to put them to use. I probably could have used a mule but it wasn’t for me. Too many what ifs. My daughter always scolds me on the “what ifs”.
I know I can walk, hiking is another thing, I know there will be a few places that will feel like a hike and I am looking forward to them just to dream a little but as many have said on the forum, make it your Camino walk. I won’t even have to pretend that the mountains are calling me. What you have told me here, makes me even more focused.
In about a week or so, I should have a list of the necessities I deem I should take and I can have you take a look.
Three questions I have that may be in the FAQs you suggested I read and I will read this evening:
Should I take two credit cards, plus one debit card and how do I get cash in France to start my trip to SJPdP?
How much cash should I have with me daily on the Camino?
Do you have any cell phone ideas for me? My daughter suggested to go with T Mobile and then cancel when I return home.
What you said that was remarkably great for me. . . “And if I had stubbornly clung to that backpacker 'filter' as a Camino walker/pilgrim, than I would have been the problem, not the Camino”.
Thank you so much Dave –
Jo
LOL!!!! It did make me wonder how many repeated viewings of the video the males would need to do, in order to remember what was actually said.Just one question about measuring torso length @davebugg - from the video it appears essential that I remove my bra to do the measuring.
That brings to mind a great packing tip I read somewhere on this forum. For every item you are packing ask "When will I use this?" If your answer starts with "when" put it in the "maybe" pile. If your answer starts with "if" then put it in the "no go" pile.My daughter always scolds me on the “what ifs”.
Should I take two credit cards, plus one debit card and how do I get cash in France to start my trip to SJPdP?
How much cash should I have with me daily on the Camino?
Do you have any cell phone ideas for me? My daughter suggested to go with T Mobile and then cancel when I return home.
I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
hi Jo,I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
hi Jo,I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
Awwww Judy, I am so sorry you lost your son. As a mom, I cannot imagine.Hi Jo, I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband. I lost my 24 yr old son and I think somehow I walked the Camino Frances in 2017 for him. I walked with my friend who is a widow. It was wonderful to walk and meet people who walked for all different reasons. Before we left, everyone was so concerned about us. This spring we’re returning to walk again. No one is concerned. They just think we’re crazy and fun. That will happen to you. Do it! You will never regret it! Sending love!
I’m from the US –
For so long I have wanted to do a hike though, especially the PCT, Pacific Coast Trail. I’ve dreamt of it, started planning for it and then all things unexpected happened. My husband passed away and I had to run the business. I felt so alone on this course of my life and the PCT kept creeping in and I knew it was something I needed to do. I just wanted to walk. Then more life got in the way, I had to have back surgery. I have two children and they were extremely supportive getting me through all the pain and helping with the business.
I realized that the PCT was never going to happen for me so I started searching for something I knew I could do - I found the CAMINO! That was eight years ago.
I miss my husband beyond anything you can imagine. I know I am not the only widow who will be walking the Camino in May. I hope to find myself and to learn to let go. I want to walk the Camino. I just want to walk.
I’ve booked my tickets and arrive in France May 8. So excited, until I made more time to do more reading and to understand from others what their pilgrimages meant to them. Reading the forum the last couple of days have made me think a little harder. I haven’t second guessed myself until now.
And to top it off, my daughter and I went to buy my pack, get fitted and to buy a few necessities for my trip. I was weighted down with 24 pounds and instructed to walk around in the store for a while. It wasn’t easy for me but I hid my concerns. As I was getting ready to make my purchases, my daughter made me promised to have my pack shuttled. I was surprised. No way, I thought. That’s not the pilgrim way. She was very insistent so I told her I would have my pack taxied if I had a bad day. Okay, now we’re good to go.
I knew I would have bad days carrying my pack, I just accepted the fact each day would be a bad day, to carry with me what I would need on my Camino. I want to sit quietly in the dark churches and figure out where I have been and where I want to go. I’m not a religious person but I need to find my true spirituality – I’ve always thought they go hand in hand so I hope to find the truth for me.
My pilgrimage will be my adventure. I guess that’s what I truly want.
NOW - I have so many questions that I probably shouldn’t worry any longer and just go.
I hope I am not blindsiding myself!
I may not start out as a pilgrim but I sure hope to arrive as one.
- Jo
Oaties?I imagine everyone second guesses themselves to some degree before a journey like this. I know I sure did. It was the first thing I wrote in my journal! But like the millions before me and what surely the millions after will do, I made it and came back a different person. I am confident you will have a great time walking and reflecting. In May you will have plenty of company and the way is so well marked you will have no troubles. My only suggestion is to try and shed some pack weight. A nice weight is well under 24 lbs. if you could hit 14-15 lbs it will make an enormous difference and you could well consider carrying your pack. If not, nothing wrong with shipping the pack ahead. In the old days that’s was the donkeys job!!
What rucksack?LOL!!!! It did make me wonder how many repeated viewings of the video the males would need to do, in order to remember what was actually said.
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