Well, the day is here! I fly to Madrid today to start making my way to St Jean Pied de Port, where I will begin the 800km walk of the Camino de Santiago. It’s something that’s been on my adventure list for almost two decades, since I first learned of it. I figured that the year I turn 60 is an excellent time to finally do it! It takes most people 30-40 days to complete. I will not rush — I expect to cover a good number of miles each day, but I also expect to take a few break days, staying in interesting towns for a day to explore before resuming the walk.
I am not religious, so it’s not a faith-inspired pilgrimage, but I do appreciate the history and meaning of it as a spiritual journey, and I am open to whatever divine experience may occur because I do find moments of deep meaning in my travels in nature. I feel called to the Camino for a few reasons, which I’ve had a little trouble articulating specifically, but I’ll try here:
1) the wish to experience a place deeply by moving through it intentionally and slowly on foot,
2) the physical and mental challenge of endurance, and the accomplishment of such a long endeavor,
3) curiosity and open-mindedness, to see through my own eyes the landscape, the villages, and the people along the way.
I intend for this to be a practice in patience and appreciating the moment. A moving meditation, if you will. It’s so easy to get caught up in the idea of a destination while traveling, and I tend to overplan and always fear I’m missing “the best parts.” So some of this is an exercise in relinquishing control over everything — I want to try to appreciate each day for what it is. I’m sure there will be moments of bad weather, annoying people, mishaps in lodging or food, but I want to do my best to handle those with grace. I am a introvert going on this trip alone, but I know many people walk the Camino, so I’m seeking to balance my desire for solitude with being open to the community of fellow peregrinos I meet along the way.
My packing is done, and I’m worried I have too much. I’m worried I don’t have enough. LOL. I have a few things in my bag to wear post-Camino, for 7-10 days in Santiago de Compostela and then Porto with my husband, who will come to meet me after my walk. I’m going to hire a service to take my suitcase from one night’s lodging to the next — my shoulder and spine really would not love carrying everything on my back, even if I packed as minimally as possible. I will likely choose hotels for a private room and bath, rather than the more dorm-like accommodations of the albergues. I just prefer privacy and quiet if I am to get good rest.
I have not been training as much as I planned to. This year has been a bit more complicated than I expected, but all the more reason why this adventure will be appreciated. I can walk/hike a 14-mile day with little discomfort afterwards and still hike the next day, which is a decent baseline. My legs are strong. However, I’m carrying extra weight at the moment (it’s been an indulgent year), so that doesn’t make the physical challenge easier, I know. I admit that I hope to drop some of this extra weight over the next weeks as I walk my 20+km a day.
I’m excited, and a little nervous. I figure that’s a good thing. Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone!
I may be scarce here for a while. Or perhaps I’ll have a bit of time to check in here and there when I rest. At any rate, I’ll try to post some photos now and then (only taking my iPhone, no big camera!). Have a great autumn (or spring in the southern hemisphere!), everyone!
