Countdown to take-off!
Trip Start
Apr 27, 2008
1
2
27
Trip End
Jun 05, 2008
Portland,
Oregon,
United States
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Don't you just love the excitement of planning a trip? The anticipation of the unknown, even though you have read, discussed and heard stories, is way too much fun! What is the culture really like? The people? What are their stories, and what do they care about? What can they teach us? It is all too mysterious! Asking these questions brings back memories of the many trips I took with my sister, Judy, and our mom, Phyllis (14 in all)! Judy and I would make it our business to interview the man (or woman) on the street. We learned a lot and had a greater sense of the native's lives. Plus, it was fun.
Our written itinerary is jam-packed with information, sort of like a guidebook. (If you would like a copy, I can send you one via email.) It details the who, the when, the where, the how, the where, as well as suggestions of sights, restaurants, tapas bars and must-see spots. Our travels will be on trails for two weeks, then touring Spain for three more.
The getting there includes walking/backpacking, flying, driving (2 days) and going by train. The who is us, the Schuberts and our very good, old (of 40 years) friends, the Lillies, with whom we have travelled to the Canadian Rockies, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and Newfoundland amongst other destinations. Last year, Len completed the Bruce Trail in Canada (Jean did, too, but she did it by car), and declared he was ready for bigger challenges, such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Since Dick and I haven't been to Spain since 1992 and also wanted to hike the Camino (road, in Spanish), we sealed the deal with the click of a castanet!
It was April 3 when our first pilgrim, Len, started the Camino frances (the trail starts in France). He is now nearly three weeks and many experiences into it! Like he has said, the journey is mentally and physically challenging but very rewarding. You can read his blog at: http://www.lenontheroadlesstravelled.blogspot.com. Jean, Dick and I meet Len in Leon next Tuesday, 29 April!
Well family and friends, this will be my second and last entry from Portland, Oregon. Reading, repacking and contemplating beckon. I'd like to quote John Brierley who wrote the guidebook we are taking: "Along every path of enquiry there comes a point that requires a leap of faith, where we have to abandon the security of outdated dogma handed down to us over millennia. When we reach that point we have to let go of the safety of the familiar and dive into the unknown, with nothing but our faith to support us." He also suggests that we meet our "self" and find that we are never alone. "And that is surely a primary purpose of pilgrimage, perhaps of life itself." He continues: We are a spiritual being on a human journey; not a human being on a spiritual one. What lessons will we learn? When needed, we must ask for help and accept it; it's there, waiting for us. Isn't this the definition of community?
Now for the math portion of the blog, statistics. (And you thought my teaching skills were retired?) The number of pilgrims has increased tenfold over the past decade with over 100,000 pilgrims from 138 nationalities collecting the compostela (or paper proof that they finished the trail) in 2006. This figure represents only those people who arrive by foot, bike, horeseback or wheelchair. Others arrive by road, rail and air, and are counted in the millions. Holy years themselves can witness a tenfold increase. The next one is in 2010, el Ano Santo Jacobeo--I suggest you don't plan to do the Camino that year! As well, 85% of all pilgrims arrive in Santiago de Compostela (the terminus) via the Camino frances, the most popular route and the one we are taking; 82% on foot; 60% during June, July and August. There are about 10 caminos or pilgrim's trails in Spain alone. You can see by the maps on this blog (enlarge them) that the Camino traces hiking trails, some with significant elevation gain and loss, and some roads, winding through small and large towns. Some pilgrims return year after year, completing a bit more of the trail. Some even start in Scandinavia, or other distant home countries. Evidently we will meet people of all ages, nationalities and purpose. That will be part of the journey!
Before one starts, he/she must get a Pilgrim's credential (credencial), a small folder issued by any bonafide organization linked to the pilgrim's trail either in Spain or home country. Every day on the trail, a local stamp proves that he has covered a certain distance. Without this credential, one can't receive the compostela at trail's end, proof of completion of at least 100km.
And what is a typical day on the trail like? With many opportunities to be slowed down, one might expect the following: Out early on the trail (usually without breakfast); find breakfast in a bar along the way (or eat somethng you have purchased the day before); hike most or all day with as many breaks as you can afford; clothing off, clothing on (for heat/cold/rain); check feet; chat with fellow pilgrims.
Family dinner: Kai, Stacey & children
Is there time for sightseeing? At day's end (the pilgrim hostels don't open until mid-afternoon), find a room in a hostel/albergue/refugio (or will it be a hotel this evening?); shower; massage feet; wash clothes; find a place for dinner; reflect; meditate; write in journal... And this is just a guess. Just wait until you read what it's really like!Before signing off please know that we carry part of each of you with us--either your best wishes, a hug and bon voyage, your clothes pins or line, your photo, a Mother's Day card to be opened while on the trail, your blog help, a scallop shell and much more. They will sustain us each day as we put one foot in front of another, as in everyday life: paso a paso, step by step. Ole! Sue
Comments
On your way
Hi Dick and Sue - I see departure day is on the horizon. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful time and I'll follow along each day with you. (It's 'almost' as good as being there!)
Love Nancy C.