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