I feel there’s another Camino in my future, because I have –
- Researched airfares to Paris – $479.00CAD one way x 2 for return Sept 1 to Oct 25/25
- Found the train station in Paris for the train to Bayonne with a change to St Jean Pied de Port – Gare Montparnasse
- Called my travel agent and booked a consultation phone call for Dec 2/25. She’s away doing what travel agents do – travel.
- Started reading “Camino books” again. I have just finished and will review soon “What the Psychic said to the Pilgrim.” It’s an hilarious account of walking the Camino France´s.
- Started quoting from Camino books. I’m now reading “The Way of the Wild Goose” and have taken to heart from as early as page 25. “This walk is about this rich and deep connection with all beings and with (simply) being.”
- Had coffee with a pilgrim friend and picked her brain about crossing the Pyrenees. Her suggestion was to pick a number – maybe 50 – walk that number of steps – stop – turn – stretch and repeat – for 7-8kms.
- Conceived the title for my next book – Pathway to Heaven – over the Pyrenees at over 80. I’ll be 81.
- Told a few people and invited them to join me for all or part of my walk. It will be almost 800kms.
- Found a reason to “carry-on.” Many drop out of the longer Caminos. I had to find a reason to walk 15-20kms everyday for 50+ days. I will be writing a book. Everyday will be a new chapter.
- Establish a “Plan B.” If I bailed, I had to have a rationale. My friends are enablers. The general consensus is – simply starting is enough to justify any effort to pursue a challenge to any point, however long (or short). “You started, therefore, you have already achieved some measure of success.”
- Started baking muffins I know this sounds crazy, but when I do my maintenance walks – 10kms 3x a week. I stop at 5kms for a coffee and a scone – $8.00. I’ve decided to buy just a coffee for $3.00 and save $4.50 + tax by not having a scone and by bringing my own muffin – $13.50 x 4 is $54.00 x 12 = $648.00 – maybe my plane fare and train ticket one way.
- Angst(ed) about buying the perfect rain poncho online and on sale from Santiago – yes, it ships from Spain and even on sale, it’s pricey.
- Wrote this post. It’s a confirmation of the initiation of an idea – there are such things.
Buen Camino