Last time we talked, Adal completed his journey, 800 kms across Spain from Roncesvalles to Santiago. This year, I'm making it my goal to complete my own Journey on the Camino. I don't think I'm ready for 800 kms, and frankly don't think I have the time either. But 100 kms is a chunk I think I can bite off. So 100 kms it is!
100 kms (200 kms if bicycling) is the minimum amount of pilgrimage required to receive the Compostela, a document in Latin certifying the completion of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. So I will begin my journey in Sarria and walk 100 kms to Santiago, in Spain. That is the plan, anyway.
As an extreme planner and payer-attention-to-detail, I've made lists. They make me feel like I have everything on paper, making it difficult to forget something important. As an added twist to the plot, I'm going on this journey with my best friend from PR, L. L has visited me every place I've ever lived, was there at my wedding and at my daughter's birth, and it's only appropriate that we should journey together on this challenge. You are also less prone to fail if you have someone helping you through it, and we plan to finish this kicking, screaming, and crawling if necessary. So the lists help me, yes, but they help us stay on the same sheet of music; we compare hiking products, itineraries, predicted carrying weight, etc.
My goal is to walk at least 15 km a day, 20 km if and when we can. With backpack and water, we plan on carrying no more than 20 lbs. This is harder than it sounds. It's amazing how that weight adds up when you're not looking! An extra pair of pants here, another bottle of moisturizer or sunscreen there; before you know it you're carrying way too much. So it's a philosophical preparation as well, the leaving of material things except what you absolutely THINK you need. I'm sure if I compare this "before" list to a list of items I actually used or needed I'll find tons of discrepancies. So I'm on a quest to shave weight wherever I can. I actually found an ultralight sleeping sack that only weighs 310 grams!!
There will be no need to bring our food or tents, as there will be plenty of opportunity to eat on the road and sleep in hostels. Probably THE most important thing on this walk are the boots. Comfortable, broken in, sturdy boots that will give you the least amount of blisters (I expect some) and don't hinder you from reaching your goal.
So, now you can follow me on this journey which starts and ends way beyond the Camino de Santiago, in more metaphorical ways than I can imagine. Buen Camino!
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