Shoes? Or boots?

Have been avoiding this day, but finally had to get the shoes that will carry me across Spain. The salesman tried very hard to get me to buy boots, but try as I like, they feel uncomfortable. Even just walking around the shop, the boots felt restrictive and stiff, so I ended up buying a lovely pair of Salomon's and some new socks. Not convinced about wearing two pairs of socks as the salesman recommended, but will give it a try on the 38 km training walk I'm planning for this Sunday. 

I also wanted to purchase hiking gear, but really did not like the texture of the technically advanced and expensive trousers, so I guess I will have to go on another shopping expedition before my trip starts. The choices are so many and I am so uncertain - normally when I go hiking I wear my oldest, most comfortable clothes that really look as though they belong on the rubbish heap. But I guess I can't do that in a strange country, or can I? Did get something decent and lighweight to sleep in though, so I can tick three things off my list. 

THE shoes - if only they knew what adventures await them

On my training walk

Just me and my shadow

What a lovely and tranquil training walk I had this morning. Did 10km with an 8kg backpack and it took me just under two hours. If I feel this strong every day of my Camino, I know that it will be a cinch. Of course things don't always work the way we want them to, so my experiences will probably range between fabulous like today, or wipeout like two days ago when I walked only seven km in the morning and was so tired afterwards that I slept most of the afternoon.



I'm lucky to live in a most beautiful setting and took some photographs today - you can see that I have no reason to shy away from training;-)





I'm not alone after all



The View



Visa Application

Training falling behind schedule:'( but did do my visa application today. The days leading to the visa application interview, were really stressful as there was a long checklist to work through. Having left the corporate world three years ago, I had forgotten how to manage projects, so instead of systematically getting everything ready, I scurried frantically.
Of course, I left the  most crucial thing, the photos, for last. As "luck" would have it, there were no photographers anywhere in the rather vast shopping mall opposite the visa application centre. Forty minutes later I decided that it is more important to be on time for my visa application interview so almost ran the 500 metres to the building. As I topped my rather sweaty brow, I saw that there was a photographer right there. Had the photos taken (have to admit that I could make the "wanted, dead or alive" list) and got to the interview with time to spare.
Whilst waiting I thought of thousands of bizarre reasons why my visa would be refused and thought of all the counter-arguments I would use. But when my turn came, I looked up and behind the interviewer was a TV playing a video of the Camino and at that moment showing the Cathedral in Santiago. Suddenly I felt cool, calm and collected. All documents were there, apparently there was enough money in my bank account and I wasn't arrested for looking like a criminal on my passport photo.
Indulged in a freezochino out of sheer relief B-) Tomorrow it's time to get back on track with training.

But Why?

This is the astonished response I hear most often when people hear about my ambition to walk the Camino, followed by remarks such as "you can borrow my car" or "what's wrong with your car?" I never know what to answer them, because I love walking so much that I can't imagine anyone NOT wanting to walk a thousand kilmetres, so my standard very cliched answer is "But why not?" or "Because I can". Not very inspirational I'm afraid;-)

Seriously though, why do people do a pilgrimage? What is it that causes you to forsake family, friends and your own comfortable environment to walk such a long distance, enduring all manner of weather conditions, bed bugs, lack of privacy, possibly pain and untold other hardships to get from point A to point X in the most difficult way.

We humans have probably undertaken pilgrimages in one form or the other since the day we became conscious of ourselves as "spiritual" beings. And despite the advances in transportation technology, we still think that walking constitutes the only "real" pilgrimage.

My own reason for walking the Camino is that I love walking and want to walk a thousand kilometres at a stretch whilst I still have the strength to do it. Having "retired" a few years ago, I also feel ready for a period of contemplation where I have only myself to worry about. Finally in some way it feels "right" to follow in the footsteps of so many who have walked this route before me - confirming my spiritual bond with them and those who will come after me.

In any case - buen camino, whether you're walking "The Camino" or walking your life path.

Training progress

Today I decided to have my walk at noon to see how I cope with the heat. In Gauteng, South Africa where I live it is not quite spring yet, but the days can get pretty warm and today was no exception with a temperature of 25 deg. C at noon. I walked ten kms with an 8 kg backpack and did fine, but did make some notes for reference on my camino:

• Use sunblock!!!
• Take enough water - I ran out of water and felt very hot and thirsty the last half hour of my walk
• Layer your clothes - my clothes were too warm and I was hotter and sweatier than I needed to be

My recovery was quite speedy and I managed to go about my life just fine in the afternoon. And this evening I was especially pleased that I am in training as I could enjoy my favourite sweet - halva - without the slightest pang of guilt;-)

Preparation gets underway again...

After two days of not doing much in the way of preparation, everything got underway again today and a number of things could be ticked off my list. But of course, as these things go a number were added as well.

Most importantly all the banking stuff was sorted out, both for the visa application process and to ensure that I have access to my bank account whilst in Spain. In this process I received a bonus - my bank charges were reduced to next to nothing, simply because I'm over 55. I guess there has to be some advantages to getting older.

The other important although not crucial item ticked off my list is a new toy - a tablet for connectivity, books, learning Spanish while walking etc.

What was added to my list, was a cute little portable solar charger, the size of a small cellphone to keep my tablet in working order. Also a new hat and gloves for the walking poles, as it became very clear during my training sessions that my hat with its wide brim will be very irritating and the gloves I have will cause blisters on my hands if I had to use them constantly. So now I have a new mission;-) 

The other important thing I achieved today was to take my camera in for a service, as its sensor is really dirty and so are the lenses. I'm a bit worried thought that the camera will be too heavy, so have to consider whether I want to do photography or have a buen camino and take happy snaps.

No activity that directly affects my Camino

The plan was to take my mother and her eldest sister to visit their younger sister today. And so, instead of packing my backpack and tackling another strenuous walk, I packed my car full of old ladies and drove the 100 km or so to my aunt. So pleased I did as it was great to connect with three of the souls who have influenced me most in my life:

My Mother - the one who gave me the gift of life
Aunt Sophie - at 90 an inspirational person who does not consider her own mortality a remote possibility. She stil writes poetry and paints up a storm even though she is unable to walk.
Aunt Het - My mother's younger sister and our second mother

I salute you and I walk with you.

My mother and her sisters: Aunt Soph, My Mom, Aunt Het

Furious planning

It is exactly a month before I fly to Madrid to start the Via de la Plata from Seville to Santiago and then on to Finisterre. I have not done a lot of planning, or training for that matter, but suddenly today it dawned on me that I'd better get my act together if I want a buen camino.

So, this morning I set off with my backpack and walking poles on an eight km walk. My backpack is not new, but has served me well and still gives me wings every time I use it. I don't even know what size it is (now that is shabby for a hiker), but it feels like I was born with it on my back. My walk was great and the new poles are fantastic. Not quite sure how I managed without them. The pack and contents weighed about 8kg and I hardly felt the weight.

I also realised with a shock that the visa requirements are quite onerous and I'd better make sure that I get it right first time. Made appointment (check!)

Wanted to book hotels in Madrid and Seville, airport transfer and train from Madrid to Seville through the travel agent that did my airline ticket and travel insurance, only to find that it is much much cheaper doing it online! Fellow peregrina and friend, Janine and I will finalise this on Friday (another check!)

Washed sleeping bag and inner (another check!)

Starting to feel as though I will really get to Spain;-)_