Today I’ve been working on my packing for our upcoming Camino…and I’ve been in a bit of a panic. The first Camino was a challenge because I’d never walked one before and I didn’t know what to bring for six weeks of walking. It took a lot research, talking to others who had walked one, watching videos, consulting with Glen, and more. All that research made it easier for Camino 2 and Camino 3. The template was created. But this time is different.
This Camino is Portugal, not the Frances. Some of my clothes have worn out. I’m different…shoulder surgery has made carrying my pack tenuous. My template isn’t working this time. However I know that by definition, I will be packed before we get on the plane and Portugal isn’t some isolated village; there are grocery stores and pharmacies in case I forget something.
So today I’m taking a little break and addressing envelopes so I can send postcards to my grandchildren. Yes I send all my postcards in envelopes because I have this fear that every postal worker will read them and it will take forever to arrive :-/. I particularly like to send cards with the map of the Camino so I can mark where we are when I mail the card.
When I walked the first Camino I even sent myself eight postcards. They were messages to me showing that not all my fears were coming true and those that did were not nearly as disastrous as I anticipated. There were unexpected joys and delights along the way. Some of what I wrote is too personal to share, but I will share one of them with you.
10-11-2019 Santiago de Compostela
Dear Michelle,
Wow! I love that woman. And I love the woman who wrote those words to her. Perhaps I should write her some more postcards about this new Camino she is about to embark on.
Maybe you’ll write yourself a postcard with lots of loving affirmations. You are worth it.
Buen Camino
One day I decided to go for a walk... 
Enjoy this Camino. I have a friend that started in Porto & just returned from his Camino. Are you starting in Lisbon or Porto. I love Portugal & hope to do the Camino again in the next few years.
We start in Porto. Two days on the coastal route, then a transfer to the central route. At Pontevedra we switch to the Spiritual Variant. Each time I walk a camino I wonder if it will be my last. This time I will not be able to carry my pack much. After my shoulder surgery I still don’t have the strength. Range of motion is excellent, but not the strength
Started in Porto. It was wonderful! Am hoping next year to walk the last two weeks of the Italian Camino. Want to have coffee some time and trade camino stories?
As my dear sister always says: YOU GO GIRL.
Last night I finished reading A will and a way on foot across France by Jennifer Andrewes who has Parkinson’s Decease. She is from New Zealand.
Wow! What an inspiration that must have been for you. I’ll have to track that down and read it. Prayers for you my dear “WordPress” friend 🙂
Thank you, Michelle. Prayer for you too. It was an eye opener, as long as I can walk and move around I’ll keep on doing it.