Day 3 - Walking Again

For the first time on this trek, I had an excellent, unaided sleep.  The place we stayed in overnight was a hotel with a spa.  This was intentional as we spent most of the day in the pool area using the various means to massage our sore legs.  We surprisingly, spent most of the day in the spa area.  Dinner was at a quaint place (seriously, they are all quaint).  Astorga is a large city with many amenities.  We went to the central cathedral and looked around.  The place is incredible.

 It's so ornate it's hard to take it all in.  The architects name is Antonio Gaudi.  He seems to be quite well known for his cathedral architectures.  In all of the major centers that we have visited, his name is on the cathedral.  I've been told by multiple people that when I get to Barcelona, that I need to go see the cathedral there that he had designed.  It's called Sagrada de Fmailia.  Construction started in 1882 and apparently it's still not finished (imagine if it took us that long to build a house dad).

Turned in early so that we could be well rested for the next stage.  There is a bit of a climb up to Robina de Camino and it has quite a bit of rough terrain.

We started out at about 8:30 with the weather being a little cool - but the forecast being reasonably warm and cloudy.  I really like the cloudy days as they are not too hot and they provide good light for pictures!  About 3 Km down the road we stopped at a little place for some breakfast.  Through the speakers in the establishment you could hear classical music and the owner (I assume she was the owner) was very bubbly and cheerful.  We all chose a "free toast" like item off of the counter where all of the food she had on display looked incredible!  We all ordered a "Cafe con letche" (yes I know I don't drink coffee - but I can tell you - this machine that she had in there would make Edgar jellous).  I drank it because it was warm and everyone else was having one.  It was pretty good as far as coffee goes.  On my free toast the lady splashed some Muscato.  Now I know why the Europeans are so laid back!  I guess it's 12:00 somewhere in the world.

Off down the road again as we left the little village out into the countryside.  There is a lot of time to to just think.  We walked for a few hours and stopped at a place to grab some lunch (a sandwich that we could take with us and eat further down the road).  Ran into some people from Ontario and had a short chat with them.  Continued down the trail for quite a while.  As we stopped at a place on the road for lunch, a lady came by and wished us a good Camino. She spoke English so we asked her where she was from and she indicated that she was from Maine, US.  During the course of our short conversation she let us know that she was by herself and that today was her birthday, she was 78 years old.  You read that correctly - 78!  This lady is a real inspiration.  I hope I have half the energy she does when I'm that age.

Once we were done lunch, we got back on the trail and I caught up with another pilgrim.  His name is Anthony, and he's a 72 year old retired MD from England.  We walked along for a long time chatting about many subjects.  We talked about my cancer and he mentioned how I was such a young man to have that kind issue.  We even shared a few stories about Cystoscapy.  It was fantastic.  I think I enjoy the random interactions the most so far.  Almost everyone is so friendly.  We walked along a little further and I stopped at the edge of Rabinal and waited for Brenda and Jim to catch up.  We found a nice Guest house where the three of us could share a room with a private bathroom.  They also served a Pilgrims meal for 10 Europe which included a huge salad and a sea food paella with wine, bread and fruit with cookies for dessert.  We shared the table with a younger German couple who were biking their way from Pampalona to Santiago.  She was just giving up the trip and going to take the bus the rest of the way.  He was going to continue on the bike.  She is studying to be a doctor and he's a business consultant with an HR bent.  We spent a few hours just chatting about a whole range of subjects.

After dinner we went for a short walk to the edge of the village (have to keep moving or I will just stiffen up).  it's very small and picturesque.  Back to the room to do the blog and then time to get ready for bed.  Tomorrow we have a very long downhill component.  These can cause all kinds of leg injuries - so please keep us in your prayers as we continue down the Camino.

One more thing.  There is a tradition on the Camino to have a small rock.  The rock is used to represent something that you are ready to stop crying with you.  When you are ready, anywhere along the way, you just stop and place the rock down - leaving it behind you.  I decided today that my rock will symbolize my cancer.  After two years of follow-ups, things are good and there is no sign of any return.  Although I will carry this with me for the rest of my life, I think I will use my rock to "officially" put it behind me.  I don't know where yet - but I'm sure I'll know it when it comes.  Having Cancer has changed me - and changed me for the better.  I have considered my own mortality and I want to make sure that the days I have left (however many that will be) will be used in a way that is God honoring and meaningful to me and those around me.  Heather - we have to get together when I get back as it's been far too long.  I'd love to just sit and here about your journey and maybe intertwined that with what I've gone through.  Make sure you send me you're email address.

Buen Camino

Curt

Change of Plans

Last night was similar to most of the nights I've had here in Europe thus far.  I got to bed and I fall asleep fairly quickly.  Then I wake up 2 or three hours later and I have trouble going back to sleep.  I'm not sure I understand why this continues.  I hope over the next few days that this stops.  I seem to function well enough during the day - but I'm sure it will catch up to me.  I dozed off here and there so I probably got about 4 or 5 hours sleep in total.

The sun was shining as I opened the roll shutter on our room.  The sky was blue and there were only whisks of clouds on the horizon.  Today looks like a great day to be on the Camino.  We got dressed and Jim tested out his knee.  He could still feel it but figured he could give it a go and see what might happen.  This next leg had a number of villages along the way, so in the event he didn't think he could continue, we could find a place to rest another day.  Brenda noticed that her foot was sore and she had not felt it the night before.  I felt ok, with the usual sore Ness in my legs and a little in my left ankle - but nothing that seemed like it would stop me from walking today.

Brenda and Jim left the room and went downstairs for breakfast with all their gear.  I got my last minute stuff put back together and left my travel case (empty of course) in the hotel.  It is an odd shape to be stuck in my round/oval backpack as it's rectangle and ridgid.  It's a hard thing to do - but I just have to do it.  All the toiletries went into a 5 L stuff sack that was freed up earlier in the trip.  Now things and be moved around and because the stuff sacks are plyable, I can make them fit in the various spaces in the bag.  I also needed to make sure that my fitbit was charged as it had reported being low on battery this morning.  Since I now have the chance to actually be ahead of my kids in steps for the day/week - I'm going to take full advantage!

After throwing the last bit together, I draped a shirt I had washed (along with a few pairs of socks) the night before which had not completely dried, on the top of my pack, underneath the removable top sack.  This way it could dry in the sun while I walked.  I did one more look around the room to make sure we had not forgotten anything and then left. The elevator is only big enough for about 3 adults, so when it came, me and my pack basically filled to whole thing up!  The ground floor had a small coffee shop like place open and Brenda and Jim had just finished their breakfast.  They were getting ready to leave and noted to me that; "You are going to catch up to us in no time, so we'll get a head start now".

I ordered breakfast - which I am quickly finding out here in Spain consists almost every time of Toast, butter and some kind of jam or marmalade.  The toast is always pretty hard, so you are lucky if it comes out to you warm so that you can put some butter on it to soften it up.  I ate my two pieces of toasted bread and used as much jam as I could.  I knew we would plan to stop mid-morning for a snack and a short rest if the day was like the others so far.  I also drank my wine glass of orange juice and went up to the counter to settle up.  3 Eoro.  I am starting to miss those little frozen egg, cheese, ham and English muffin things we have in our freezer at home.

I returned the card to the front desk and then mounted my pack on my back and headed down the street, looking for the familiar yellow arrows painted to help you find the way.  I'll have to take a few pictures of the different kinds of way marks that they have out there and post them in another blog. The air was crisp, as it always seems to be in the print mornings, but the promise of sunshine and blue sky foretells that the day will get warm.  Layering is important so that you can add or remove layers as the temperature changes.  Our first day (when there was a lot of rain) I must have adjusted things at least 5 or 6 times.  First, grabbing my raincoat and throwing it on before the rain got came down too hard; then 40 minutes later pulling it off and reasoning it in an exposed pocket on the back of my pack which is specific for damp items like my coat.  Then another 50 minutes later I'm undoing my top shirt buttons and rolling up my sleeves because the sun has now come out and I'm starting to get too warm.  Then another rain club comes by and you start the whole process over again.

As I made my way down the narrow cobblestone streets, an lady offered me the customary "Buen Camino" getting when they can see that you are a pilgrim.  It's next to be recognized that way.  My usual reply is "Gracias. Buenos Dias" (which means Thank-you, Have a Good Day).  I rounded the corner of where we went to the Gaudi designed Church in the city, and there at one of the benches was Jim and Brenda.  Jim was sitting with his pack off and Brenda was standing near by.  As I approached, I felt that sick feeling in my stomach that you get when you know something is coming and you just don't want it to be true.

"I just can't do it today", said Jim with his hand rubbing his right knee.  This was, of course, the same knee that was hurting him last night, and which he iced after we got home from dinner.

"I think we are going to stay here one more day and rest." Jim noted quietly.

Then there was that awkward silence; that silence you get when both of you are thinking the same thing and neither of you wants to say it.  Brenda finally broke the silence,

"There will be no hard feelings if you want to go on your own."

I knew in my heart that this day might come, but I didn't expect it this soon.  Maybe my presence with Brenda and Jim is pushing them harder than they should go.  This is in no way a slight to them - they of course are Camino veterans and I'm just a rookie.  Anything can happen out here.  You can get sick, stub your toe, trip and fall or any other number of issues.  But pushing too hard, harder than your body can take can lead to disastrous effects.  On Spanish gentleman that I walked with far a while a day or two ago kept telling me "Poco. Poco", which means slowly, slowly.  The Camino is not a race, it's an experience.  You shouldn't be rushing through it and not noting the life lessons that you can pick up along the way.  However, for me there is a slight sense of urgency given that I have a couple of hard dates I need to hit.  May 13, is my scheduled train from Santiago to Barcelona; and May 15 is my scheduled flight from Barcelona to Edmonton (Through TO and Calgary).  These are very firm dates for me.  And although I have built into my schedule two flex days, I was not expecting to use one this early in the trip.

So now what?  Do I go out on my own only after two days on the trail, of do I stay in Astorga with Brenda an Jim another day?  My mind raced.  I really don't like this.  I don't like this at all!  I was silent for quite a while.  We looked at the guide book again and if you followed the stages as it presented them, we would be done in 12 days.  My schedule had 14 days with two to spare as flex days (so 16 in total, if required).  It's such a nice day.  I'm already dressed in my dirty clothes and my camelback is full of water (remind me to thank you again for that thing honey when I get home, it's perfect for this trip), my boots are tied and ready to go.  AHHHHHH.  I am struggling to decide.  Finally Jim breaks the silence,

"You can always go a little further in the later stages of the walk should you need to."

He's right.  I can always speed up and go a little farther in the end.  Jim and Brenda and I are going to go our separate ways after Santiago anway.  I just can't see myself going ahead already.  So, I decide to stay with them today in Astorga and rest.  We find another hotel, this one with a spa and split a room between the three of us.  This is by far the nice one we've been in so far.  When the spa opens (I have no idea what it has), my guess is that we will hit the hotub or something to ease some of the aches.

It's hard to look outside and see the stunning perfect weather for walking and not be out on the Camino.  I know that the time will come for me to just go ahead of Brenda and Jim, but I don't hint the time is now.  I'll have to take another hard look at the schedule I made up and see what my options are for later on in the trip.  I've already run across a number of people that are out there on their own.  The Camino, as noted in the guide book(s), is a personal experience.  Being on the path alone gives you time to think, reflect and seek God.  When the time is right, it will happen.  It's a matter of when, not if.

I would appreciate your prayers on this.

Buen Camino

Curt

Day 1 - Finally on the Camino

April 27 - Day 1
I was very excited to get out on the Camino.  Dragged myself out of bed at about 6:30 when most of the other guys in the room were getting up.  The hostel offered a breakfast via donation.  It consisted of bread, butter and jam.  Not quite what I was hoping for - but I took it and we strapped on all of our gear and headed out on the path.  It was cool to finally be walking the Camino.  A number of the townspeople would notice you with your pack and offer a "Buen Camino" to you.

The start of the walk was through the city of Leon, up and own hills, over bridges and following paths by the roadways.  We started on the trail about 7:30 AM and we passed through the industrial portion of Leon and then into the next village.  The sun popped out at about this time and we came across an outdoor (patio) restaurant serving breakfast - so we stopped at we all had a plate of eggs, bacon, French fries and a tick slice of tomato.  A few others who had left Leon shortly after us wandered up and they ordered the same thing as we did.  I think we should have got a sales commission on those oders!  Before my food came out I noted a store that had walking stick for a very reasonable cost.  I walked back and bought two collapsible poles for 15 Euro.  Back home these things are $90.00 or more.  Now if Mr. Truman is reading this, he's probably wondering why I bought poles when he sent me some as loaners.  The truth is - I didn't think I needed them.  Boy was I wrong!  Those things became very helpful later in the day.

Once we were done, we started down the path once again - stopping at a fruit store and picking up a couple of pieces of fruit for a snack along the way.  The path wanders through urban and then rural settings so many times it's hard to keep track.  The difficult thing about today was that it rained and then stopped about 5 times during this leg of the journey.  It seemed that a large cloud was following us, luring behind just waiting to strike.  What makes this a bother is that you have to stop and put out your rain gear, put it on and then put your pack back on.  Then when it stops, and the sun comes out, it gets warm and humid - so you stop and take your rain gear off.  Once again, this cycle repeated itself about 5 times during the day.

The latter half of the walk I started to notice that my left calf muscle was getting sore.  I was also noticing some pressure points with my pack on my lower back.  My pack is just way too heavy.  I may start getting rid of some things because I'm not sure that I can keep pushing this weight all the way along.  The Ed of this first leg is "Villar de Mazarife" which would have been a 21.8 Km day.  We noted that the next day looked like a 30 Km day and a few of the other Pilgrims we talked to as we walked mentioned that they were going to go further to San Martin - another 4.7 KM's.  We decided to do this as well.

The last 10 Kids were much harder than I had anticipated.  My legs are sore, my back is a little sore and my shoulders are sore (they shouldn't be - but I was fooling around with my pack and on some occasions probably had too much weight on my shoulders - trying to give the hips a bit of a break.  we got rained on just 15 minutes before we reached San Martin (of course).  Once in the town we opted for a slightly nicer hostel (Santa Anna) with semi-private rooms.  Brenda, Jim and I are sharing one (for three people) and including the Pilgrim dinner it cost us 19 Euro each.  I think tonight I will get a better sleep.

A hot shower (in a small common bathroom) was just what I needed.  Out of the walking clothes and into something clean.  I will have to assess the weight situation and see what I may leave behind.  Sat down to write this and noticed how stiff I am getting.  Tomorrow is going to be and interesting day.  Time for dinner!

Dinner was an amazing full meal - I could not finish it all.  Ready for bed after re-adjusting my pack and maybe deciding on getting rid of some stuff.  I hope I can actually move tomorrow because I'm already getting stiff.

Curt

Travel to Leon

Showered the night before in the beautiful Guest house that we stayed in at Porto.  The room was amazing and the people even nicer.  Breakfast was at 8:30 Am and we were given a menu with a list of items that we could choose from.  I had cereal, yogurt, toast, OJ, and some cheese and meet were also added to my items.  Rui (name of the husband/owner of the guest house) was the one who made the arrangement for the taxi trip from Porto to Leon. The driver arrived promptly at 9:00 AM and we grabbed our stuff and dropped it in the vehicle.  It was a Ford of some kind (to be honest I didn't look at it that closely) and had plenty of room for the three of us and our gear.

The driver spoke excellent English, so we talked with him about a number of subjects along the way.  He was also taking a lot of phone calls as he seemed very busy with his taxi business.  We also found out that he was just about to purchase a second taxi expanding his business.  Portugal is somewhat depressed.  He said that the average salary for someone was 1100 Euro per month.  The average apartment costs about 600 Euro.  It seems as though families have to stick together here to make things work.  He described he he has to help his parents (who are in their 60's) with finances.  We stopped at a few places along the way just to stretch and take a bio-break.  I was about 4 hours to get to Leon.  Our alternative was a set of train rides that were actually more costly and would have taken 16 hours (with layovers).  So having Peter take us was fantastic.  When we arrived in Leon you could tell that it was a little strange as everyone was staring at this taxi from Porto - dropping people off in Leon.  He dropped us close to the main cathedral in Leon and we had a short walk to find the Alberge.

We registered at the hostel and got our Camino Passports stamped.  My room for the night cost me 5 Euro.  It was a room shared with about 36 other guys.  Brenda and Jim stayed in another section that was for couples (but essentially was the same setup as what I was in). We dropped our stuff off at our bunks and went out to explore the city.  We walked around and looked at a number of the older architecture in the area.  They certainly have a lot of history compared to Canada.  We stopped at a place for a lunch/snack and sat outside enjoying the sunshine and the square full of people.  We also walked through an old museum with ornate stone and wood carvings.  We just don't have stuff like that back home.

Dinner was, again, more of a snack at a local place.  I ordered a hot chocolate and they also brought some baked treats that you could dip in the cup.  It was the thickest hot chocolate that I have ever had.  The spoon that was delivered with it, was not for stirring, but for eating it.  I was very tastey.

We wandered  around to a few more places after that and then we headed back to the hostel.  When we had arrived, the lady who registered us noted that there would be a special blessing for any Pilgrims that wanted to attend.  Brenda went, but Jim and I decided to go get ready for bed.  I think the jet lag was catching up to me.  Sleep was only to be had for a boat 3 to 4 hours as there was continuous snoring from a whole bunch of the guys in there. I was surprised at how many older folks are doing the Camino. I've spoken with about 4 or 5 that are all in their 60's. It is also surprising at how many different pitches and cadences of snoring their are.  Even with ear plugs and using the pillow to cover my head, the serenade was hearable.  Oh well - maybe tomorrow will be better.

Curt

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Left Edmonton at 8:00 PM on the nose.  Flight was a rather full Boeing 767.  The flight itself was uneventful and rather smooth most of the way.  Received two meals, which was quite the throw back to days gone by.  Watched the movie "Taken 3" and on it's completion attempted to sleep.  I am not a very good "sleeper" on airplanes and this trip proved to be the same.  How does one sleep sitting up? It would have been a little easier if I were in the front of the plane as this one was the first that I had been on that had the lay flat beds in business class.  Would have loved to have been bumped up on this one - but it was not to be.  I was already booked in the cattle car.

Hethrow is huge.  I took a bus to get from terminal 2 to Terminal 5, then it seemed like I walked forever before getting to someone that I could ask about where I needed to go next.  They sent me through a lineup and then back through security.  What?  Sigh.  Had to throw out the water I bought in Edmonton.  Once through security and having my bags screened again I wandered into the main part of the terminal and gazed up at the huge boards of flights.  I found mine, or so I thougth.  I miss read it which had me take an internal train to the "C" gates.  As I wandered around there looking for gate C-53, I couldn't find my flight on the board there.  After asking a few people I discovered what went wrong.  Hethrow has so many flights leaving that they don't assign the gate until less than an hour before the flight. So, I had to walk back to the "A" gates (where the main boards are), and wait for my gate to be assigned.  Oh well, a few more steps on the fitbit to compete with the kids!  Sat down for a bite of lunch and will wait for the gate assignment.

The gate was not where I was waiting, so thankful that I went back the the main gate.  Jumped on the plane for a short two hour flight to Porto.  This is the first time I have ever experienced an aborted landing.  It seems as though the winds had shifted as we were coming down and the pilot decided that he didn't want to land like that.  The next thing you can feel is them gunning the engines and you are climbing again.  A few moments later the co-pilot comes on and in a very calm voice explains the situation.  There is something about that Britain accent that just makes everything OK.  So, we came around again and put her down this time.  

Bag arrived!  Big relief.  Without my stuff I basically couldn't go on.  Pulled it off the carousel and headed for the Metro.  Turns out I needed a card from the first floor the the airport.  Back I trudge and get this card which cost me only a few Euros, then back to the train.  A half an hour ride and I was at my stop where Brenda a Jim were waiting for me.  "Fancy meeting you guys here".  We walk to the guest house in the rain and had the customary Port greeting.  Very nice people.  And the room is fantastic.  Then we went out for dinner to a little place just like you would see in the movies.  Sitting in a narrow cobblestone roadway with only a few tables.  Food was great.

Off to bed as tomorrow we take the car ride (4 hours) to Leon.

A great travel day - although I am looking forward to some sleep.

Curt

The Walking Plan

I was doing some yard work today, wanting to make sure things were in order before I left on the trip.  As I raked, I was playing some music through my phone - songs I had loaded on it quite a while ago.  One of my favorite artists came up, a band called "33 Miles", and the song is entitled "One Life to Love".  The words from the chorus caught my attention yet again:

"You only get just one time around

You only get one shot at this

One chance to find out

The one thing that you don't wanna miss

One day when it's all said and done

I hope you see that it was enough

This one ride, one try, one life to love"

Pretty deep words from a group of young guys.  I guess what strikes me about this is that I'm not sure we take enough time to reflect on the relationships around us.  The people in our lives right now.  The people who may have slipped out of regular contact; or the people with whom we have been out of touch for a long while.  I don't believe that the people that move in and out of our circumstances are by accident.  Every interaction has a purpose.  A meaning.  A reason.  Take the time today to tell the people close to you how important they are and how much you love or appreciate them.  

With that in mind - for those of you that know me, you will understand that "family" is one of my values.  Given that I'm going to be away for three weeks - this is going to put a stress on this value for me.  I ask that you keep both my family and me in your prayers.  As much as I'm looking forward to the trek - I know there will be difficult family moments.  My prayer is that they will be brief.

--

Ok - here is the walking plan as it exists today.  I've included a few days of flex just in case there is some kind of delay during the trek.  I'd sure like to take in the pilgrims church service at the end (Happens at 12:00 noon each day) and get my Camino Compostela Certificate showing that I completed a walk.  That will all depend of weather or not I can stick to the schedule.  As you will notice, there are a few longer days and a few shorter ones.  This was done , in part, to help allow for the terrain, and to allow for really inclement days or maybe any minor injuries or the like.  I also had to pre-book my train ride from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona because it's a rather busy route.  This is a 12 hour journey across the country (basically from one coast to the other).  I did this so I would have an opportunity to see a little more of Spain while I was there.  My departure flight is from Barcelona, so as you can see in the schedule, I planned for one day of travel, one full day in Barcelona, and then I leave for home the next day.  If any of you have been to Barcelona and have some suggestions on what I should do/see while there on that day, please drop them in the comments section of this post.  

Stopped in at MEC today to pick up a few small things that I needed to round out my limited supplies.  I think I'm close to having everything I need.  

I had ordered three Camino Passports from an American place about 2 months before my travel date.  They have not shown up yet.  I e-mailed the organization and they indicated that they were sent a couple weeks ago.  Let's hope Canada Post comes through before Friday!  

My travel companions left today and are spending a few days in Frankfurt before heading to Porto where we will meet up on Saturday. 

Couple of days and I'll be off.  I'm so pumped!

Buen Camino 

Curt

T-minus Two Weeks & Counting

I can't believe that in a little less than two weeks the journey will start.  I've been training for months now, dropping a little weight and a few inches (OK - centimeters for those of you who heard my sermon illustration that used metric and imperial).  I've purchased a few bits of new gear (pack, boots, clothing, etc) to help make the journey a little easier - but I'll really be packing light.  Some friends (Tim and Terri) have been very helpful in making suggestions on specific items and loaning me a few pieces of gear as well. [Thanks a bunch to you guys - you are great people!] Imagine taking a single 50 L pack for three weeks.  I really am only planning to take two changes of clothes and then the necessary personal items to make it through the three weeks.  In an age where more of everything seems to be the norm - this will really be an exercise in minimalism. I still need a few things, so one more trip to MEC will be in order - but after that I should be good to go.

One major item was resolved this past week - and that is the transportation from Porto, Portugal to Leon, Spain. I am meeting my fellow Pilgrims in the city of Porto on Saturday April 25, hopefully in time for dinner.  Porto is a city on the coast of the Atlantic ocean.  It's picturesque to say the least. Although, getting from Porto to Leon required quite a bit of work.  Brenda was looking into this and found a couple leg train journey that would take us from Porto to Vigo, Spain; and then from there we would travel from Vigo to Leon - again by train.  This would have been a 12 hour total journey.  Being that I finished my last contract a few weeks ago - I took up the challenge to find another way to Leon.  As it turns out, I was able to hire a driver and a van to drive the three of us from Porto to Leon.  This option is actually less expensive than the train, and is expected to take about 4 hours.  This will be a great way to travel and we can maybe stop at a few interesting places along the way.  

I've been asked a few times why I'm doing this.  I'm not sure I actually can explain why. Maybe because it's there.  Maybe because of my cancer situation (two year checkup today and was given the two thumbs up).  Maybe because it's a hike with a powerful spiritual aspect linked to it.  Maybe because thousands of people have done it for more than a thousand years.  Maybe...Maybe...just because I can.  We spend far too much of our lives working and not living, doing and not being, stumbling through the day but never really taking the time to just think.  Maybe I'll understand the 'why' somewhere along the way.  I don't know.  All that I do know is that I'm going to take every day and reflect on my life thus far and reflect on my relationship with my God. And who knows, maybe I'll come back the same - or maybe I'll come back different.  Only time (and walking) will tell.

It would be an honor to have you with me on this journey.  You can sign up for e-mail alerts each time I make a post which I hope to do almost every day while I'm gone.  I hear there is wifi in almost all of the places we will be.  Or, you can just check back every once in a while and see how the journey is progressing.  Leave a comment or two - I'd love to hear from you as I make my way to Santiago.  

Curt