Thoughtful Co-Workers II

My last day at work before my great adventure, was filled with genuine heartfelt well wishes and the most amazing thoughtful gifts. The kinds of gifts that took time to make which makes them that much more meaningful. One such gift made me cry what Oprah calls the " ugly cry." The beautiful lady who painted the scallop shell had not painted in a long time. She shared with me that my journey inspired her to want to paint again. Another soul gave me two Saint Christopher medals which were blessed by her priest. Finally, my Camino angel #3 who saved me when I was about to lose my grip with Verizon customer service. She helped to solve a problem that Verizon could not. I am so moved by their generosity and kindness.  I am eternally grateful to work amongst these kind and caring souls.

Angels are real

Thoughtful Co-Workers

I work with the most caring, and warm individuals.  At least once a day one of them stops by my desk to inquire how many days I have left before I leave for Spain. They have also showered me with kind and thoughtful gifts. In the last few weeks I have received two sarongs, a neck pillow, a Swiss army gadget card, a rain poncho, (The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains!) a dress, and a journal.  Today I found on my desk the loveliest card that so touched my heart I wept in heartfelt appreciation. In addition to the lovely card, there was an entire tiny beauty kit (cause a girl needs travel mascara, eye cream, lipstick, and foundation while hiking 500 miles) and a bracelet with a guardian angel medal. Thank you God for putting gentle loving friends on my Camino.

My gear

This is what 30 days of gear looks like.

My shell

Most pilgrims who walk the Camino can be identified by the scallop shell that hangs from their pack.  This one is mine. Usually, the shells that pilgrims have are unadorned. Mine because I'm an overachiever had to be different. Kinda cool eh?

Symbols of the Camino

There are many routes on the Camino de Santiago.  I will be walking the Camino Frances. The CF is by far the most traveled and the one that has the most pilgrim infrastructure.  There are many more options available for hostels (albergues is Spain) to sleep in, and places to eat. The road is marked with yellow arrows like this picture  so pilgrims don't get lost. The scallop shell signifies the many paths which lead to Santiago de Compostela, my destination.  Santiago de Compostela is the place where Saint James is buried.  Saint James was a fisherman thus the scallop shell is both a symbol of the Camino and a representation Saint James.

5 Days

When the boys were young and we were counting down to important dates such as Christmas or the end of the school year for example,  we used to keep track of how many more wake-ups we had until the special day finally arrived. As of today I have 5 more wake-ups until I depart for Spain and embark on a 500 mile walk across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago. I am at once, both anxious and excited. I only have a few preparations left to do, amongst them is making three piles of the gear I have been accumulating for the past year. Must have, want, and luxury items. I have to do this necessary pruning to avoid carrying more weight in my backpack then the recommended 10% of my body weight. Being a bit overweight now is a good thing! Do I REALLY need to take a sarong/dress to change into after a hot sweaty day of walking in hiking gear?? I have 5 more wake-ups to figure it out.