Final Camino countdown

Departure day is fast approaching

This week, I was all set to write about yoga and then it hit me: next week I leave for Spain and start walking the Camino. So, instead, I’m going to do a last post about Camino prep. All summer, I’ve been busy packing and organizing for this trip. Just about the only thing I hadn’t done was visit La Tienda (http://centrelatienda.com/), the Montreal store which specializes in all things Camino. I finally made it to La Tienda. I should have gone sooner. Wny? I’m kind of freaking out right now. I’ve done so much research and prep and I although I hadn’t actually filled up my backpack, I felt like everything was just about ready. I figured that I was all set. But just to be sure, a visit to la Tienda was in order, mainly to reassure myself that I got this. Well, I don’t think I got this! Ha!

In planning for this trip, I’ve tried to balance between needs, wants and my budget. If money was no object, then packing for this would be a piece of cake. I’d buy everything on the “must have” lists and be done. But, the reality is that I do have a budget and I need to stick to it. I’m also pragmatic so I don’t often fall for marketing ploys. Yet, when someone tells me that I should not be wearing my gym shirts on the Camino walk because 1) although they do wick moisture, they will stink; 2) I will feel cold and wet even though they wick moisture; and 3) they will cause chafing, my first temptation is to go and buy everything merino wool. But then my little logical voice says “stop!”

La Tienda: shopping and a pilgrim’s passport

The sales associate at La Tienda was very helpful. She showed me what a packed backpack looks like and how much it should weigh. She showed how to actually pack stuff and also showed me the various options for clothing, and yet did not pressure me at all into buying stuff. I like this approach. Put an idea in my head and let me figure out what I need to do. I ended up buying mesh bags for my clothes, a little Canadian flag to sew on my backpack and a little blister first aid kit. Apparently, the Polysporin blister packs are not a great idea since the bandages themselves are bulky and tend to move around; this is true. So, I came home and decided that I need to actually fill up the backpack and see how it feels. The whole thing should not weigh more than 6 kg (13.2 lbs).  As I walked out, I felt overwhelmed by all the information.

As I paid for my purchases, I received my pilgrim’s “passport” which I need get stamped along the route. At the end of the Camino, when I get to Santiago, I will show them my pilgrim credentials and I will receive the “compostela” or certificate of completion. In order to get the compostela, you need to walk at least 100 kms or cycle 200 kms of the Camino. Because La Tienda is an accredited “Friends of the Camino” organization, they even gave me my first stamp. Seeing the stamp made me emotional. This is getting very real!

Camino packing – less is more

The actual packing was a lot harder than I thought. I’m not used to packing for a multi day hike. I’m a light packer, but this is a whole new way of packing. After loading the backpack, I came in at just over 12 lbs. Not bad for a first go. But, this doesn’t include my camera and there is no way I’m not taking it. I’ll tweak it until I have it just so. I will write down everything I packed and post this list at a later date. 

So, after my visit to the store, I’m feeling a little nervous; not about about the actual trip, travelling alone, etc. But rather, what was I thinking in deciding to walk 165 kms? I double checked the distances and it turns out that it’s  closer to 165 km, not 160. At this point, every kilometre counts. Part of me says “why didn’t I just do an eating and drinking trip through northern Spain?” But, I’m not going to back out now. If there’s one word to describe me, it’s stubborn. I know that if I don’t do it, I’ll regret it and I don’t want to live with regrets.

Connecting with my roots

My original plan was to have my cousin Lourdes drive me to the starting point of O’Cebreiro the day before I was to start the walk. I’d spend the afternoon relaxing, take pictures etc and then start the Camino the following morning. Instead, she asked if I’d like to join the family for a big fiesta the night before starting the Camino. Well then, I guess so! This should be interesting. I won’t be partying quite as much as I would otherwise, but it should be fun to hang out with my Spanish family. And, their parties are pretty awesome!

So, I will start “reconnecting with my roots” before the walk. I will spend the first full day in Santiago with Lourdes. Santiago is such a lovely city, filled with beautiful architecture. I will visit the magnificent Cathedral and watch the pilgrims as they arrive. Then, I will head to my grandparents’ house for the fiesta. I will see the “Gallegos” and I’m so looking forward to this. I will also see my mom’s youngest brother, whom I haven’t seen since I was 5 or 6 years old. I imagine this will be an emotional, but fun filled evening. Galicia, here I come!