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This marks week one in our official preparation commencement for the Camino de Santiago which is approximately 13 weeks out. We've decided to take a tri fecta approach to readying ourselves. Mind, body and spirit. Of the three, mind and spirit seem to invigorate, inspire and entice while body.....well, let's just say the thirty pounds gained since marriage and giving up smoking are in defiant protest to the whole idea of conditioning. If body could have it her way, she would opt out of conditioning all together, prefering the thrill of trial by fire on the trail.
We've spent this week finalizing our pack contents and I must say, keeping pack weight down below thirteen pounds has been an interesting challenge. I look at my perspective five week wardrobe and feel as though a clothes burning ceremony should follow the traditional embracing of the statue of Saint James in Santiago de Compestella. The toiletry/beauty care rations seem to trouble Rena more. The idea of being without a blow dryer, relying on a doo rag to control quaff issues is making her develop a nervous tick that I try not to stare at as we go through our checklist.
We dedicated a considerable amount of time in researching products that will stand up to the demands of the journey. Every link, book and spoken word we could find on the subject, all stress the importance of footwear. Both of us, avid hikers with a fair amount of challenging terrain experience, felt pretty certain in our ability to choose the right boot for the trip. I elected my trusty ankle high, light weight, EMS ridge lines. They'd gotten me through some serious action in the Badlands and Arizona and are like a couple of good mates to me. Rena splashed out and purchased a gorgeous new pair of super lightweight Vasque boots. Socks, however, we never really gave much thought to in the past. Every article cautioned the dangers of wearing the wrong sock. Gross Internet pictures of swollen blistered feet accompanied the warnings. Photos of threaded needles, pushed through pus bubbles to force drain, drove home the horrors of a poorly made sock choice. Having no desire for that particular experience, we set our sights on finding the ultimate Camino sock. The first choice turned out to be somewhat comical. Marketed as a dual layer, anti blister, lightweight hiking sock I'd felt it was almost too easy a find at just two google clicks in. I was right. As it turned out, the $20 sock, once laundered, transformed into a barbie accessory. Seriously, the Wright Sock, has some definite quality control issues. I would advise everyone to steer away from that particular brand....unless, of course, your feet are actually shrinking, in that case, these will be a perfect fit for you. Now $20 plus shipping and handling in the hole, we decide to resume our hunt for the perfect sock the old fashioned way and headed to a local outdoor sports conglomerate (rhymes with PMS). We not only found the perfect sock, a Smartwool merino blend, dual layer comfortable crew, we scored two pairs each for under $40.
So, our pack contents are officially complete weighing in at just about 13 pounds, give or take a few ounces. We have also initiated a loosely structured walking regime consisting of five miles no less than three times a week on off road trails. we plan to increase the length each week, ultimately introducing our packs as well. Our spirits stay motivated and on track by meditating daily. The seduction of the journey itself does wonders for the soul.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
If we're not living, we're dying...
Rena and I have committed ourselves to the spiritual undertaking and physical challenge of the Camino De Santiago, a 780km journey on foot hiking a portion of the Pyrenees and across Northern Spain. Our Pilgrim passports arrived today, bringing the reality of our endeavour that much closer.
Completing the Camino has been looming around the number one slot of my bucket list for nearly a decade. I'd first heard mention of it in a book by Shirley Maclaine aptly titled "The Camino". More than intrigued, I felt, without explanation, called to its' allure. Over the years I stifled the desire, choosing instead to focus on my career, adding more ornaments to my possessions tree and somehow convincing myself I was having an authentic experience. After loosing my career, my alter identity, and having accumulated enough stuff that would satisfy most third world inhabitants, I lost all reasons of why not. I did not want my words to echo those of the insightful John Adams who on December 28, 1779 wrote this of the Camino; "I always regretted that we could not find time to make a pilgrimage to Saint iago de compostella."
Rena and I are not religious people. On the contrary, we question and criticize the role most all organized religions play in instilling fear and casting judgement while imposing divisive tactics and politics which drive further the wedges of intolerance and separation amongst all God's children. Historically, all religions have been less than kind to our people....women, mystics and gays, and for that alone we have little use for the various institutions. We are however, deeply spiritual and mindful of a higher power. We recognize and respect that religion is merely, for some, a doorway to spirit. We've grown to understand that deeply rooted spiritual rituals, elevate and expand one's consciousness, in spite of the religion they're associated with. Our travels and experiences have demonstrated that the essence, the spirit of intent of those who journeyed before, the voices of the ancients, have a profound power and impact and it is with that understanding, that we embark upon the Camino de Santiago.
Last night I busied myself by sewing a patch, identifying me as a pilgrim, on the backpack that will soon become an extension of me on this journey. After knotting the thread, I held the pack at arm's length to admire my handiwork. After placing all my personal affects in the pack, about thirteen pounds in total, I slung it onto my back envisioning a thirty five day hike. I looked at Rena for encouragement. "Tell me why we're doing this again?" I asked.
Without pause or deep thought her response was matter of fact. "Because Ash, if we're not living, we're dying."
And with that I realize how perfect life truly is.
Completing the Camino has been looming around the number one slot of my bucket list for nearly a decade. I'd first heard mention of it in a book by Shirley Maclaine aptly titled "The Camino". More than intrigued, I felt, without explanation, called to its' allure. Over the years I stifled the desire, choosing instead to focus on my career, adding more ornaments to my possessions tree and somehow convincing myself I was having an authentic experience. After loosing my career, my alter identity, and having accumulated enough stuff that would satisfy most third world inhabitants, I lost all reasons of why not. I did not want my words to echo those of the insightful John Adams who on December 28, 1779 wrote this of the Camino; "I always regretted that we could not find time to make a pilgrimage to Saint iago de compostella."
Rena and I are not religious people. On the contrary, we question and criticize the role most all organized religions play in instilling fear and casting judgement while imposing divisive tactics and politics which drive further the wedges of intolerance and separation amongst all God's children. Historically, all religions have been less than kind to our people....women, mystics and gays, and for that alone we have little use for the various institutions. We are however, deeply spiritual and mindful of a higher power. We recognize and respect that religion is merely, for some, a doorway to spirit. We've grown to understand that deeply rooted spiritual rituals, elevate and expand one's consciousness, in spite of the religion they're associated with. Our travels and experiences have demonstrated that the essence, the spirit of intent of those who journeyed before, the voices of the ancients, have a profound power and impact and it is with that understanding, that we embark upon the Camino de Santiago.
Last night I busied myself by sewing a patch, identifying me as a pilgrim, on the backpack that will soon become an extension of me on this journey. After knotting the thread, I held the pack at arm's length to admire my handiwork. After placing all my personal affects in the pack, about thirteen pounds in total, I slung it onto my back envisioning a thirty five day hike. I looked at Rena for encouragement. "Tell me why we're doing this again?" I asked.
Without pause or deep thought her response was matter of fact. "Because Ash, if we're not living, we're dying."
And with that I realize how perfect life truly is.
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