I´m Here!

Hola Everyone!

I arrived in St. Jean on July 2nd as planned with very little difficulty. It was touch and go for a bit as my plane was running late for Toronto and I had a tight connection in London, but all went well. I met some other pilgrims on the way - Manuel, Kat, and Liz. We travelled to St. Jean together on a tiny little train that went through the hills leading up to the Pyrennes. I spent 2 lovely days in St. Jean, a medieval town nestled in the valleys of the Pyrennes. My Hopitaliares were wonderful and I met many fellow pilgrims.

On July 4th I was ´baptized´ if I can use that word into the Camino. I walked up 750 metres to my first place at Orisson. It was raining and the hill fog was so thick sometimes that I couldn´t even see what was coming toward me. Anyway, I saw tonnes of snails and slugs (that is the road kill around there) along the way and adopted them as my mascots as I was climbing the hills - slow and steady. I reached Orisson midday and enjoyed a restful afternoon. I had the pleasure of walking a bit with Sean from Ireland and Luke from Australia. However, they were much faster than I was and I encouraged them to continue on. We met up again at the bar at Orisson Aubergue and had a beer together before they went off to Roncesvalles. It was a lovely evening with dinner together with the other pilgrims and then off to bed for the last 750 metres.

Today, I finished climbing the Pyrennes and Had the pleasure of walking with Roger, a Frenchman, most of the day. I exercised my French speaking skills as he did not speak English very well. We again walked through the soup of hill fog and a bit of rain. It was a tough go in some of the areas today. A bit of gentler climb for parts then some pretty steep ´hills´. I started walking at 7:30am after a petit dejeuner of coffee and bread with jam, and I crossed over into Spain around 10:45. I reached the 1500 metre mark (about 4,500 feet) around noon. I was sore, tired and hungry. I dove into my backpack for some food and then had a tiny siesta before heading down 500 metres and finishing the last 4.2km of my 20km day. I reached Roncesvalles around 2:30 and waited for the Pilgrims Office to open to get a bed for the night.

Right now I am ´patiently´ waiting for dinner at 8:00pm after pilgrims mass and then I will head to my bed (top bunk :O) in a dormitory style sleeping area in an old church that has been changed into an albergue for pilgrims. There are 120 beds and I will be sure to have my earplugs in tonight!

Anyway, I am hoping all is well with everyone. I will be walking about 27km tomorrow which will be much flatter than the last two days:). I will try to get some pictures on here soon. It may take some figuring out. Take care all!

Thanks for all the comments

Tammy

It's Finally Here!

I woke up Tuesday morning and just wanted it to be time to get on the plane and go. Then I realized, I am going in one day! That day has finally arrived. I am spending my last few hours in Toronto for the next almost 8 weeks cuddling with my adorable niece. I am going to miss her greatly over the next few weeks, but can't wait to see how she has changed during that time. I expect that she will be walking and then the fun begins.\

Anyway, I am feeling relatively relaxed about heading out. I have had my bag pretty much packed for almost a week. Had to tweek a couple of things last night, but I am now good to go. I am heading to the airport at 4:30 with boarding pass and passport in hand and take off at 7:00pm. I arrive in London at 6:55am on July 2nd and grab a bus to Stanstead for a flight at 12:15pm which arrives in Biarritz at 3:15pm. I am then on train at about 6:15pm from Bayonne and arrive in St. Jean-Pied de Port, my starting point at about 7:35pm. I think I will be done by that point in time. I will check in at my albergue and at the Pilgrim's office and then crash. I am staying in St. Jean for a day to get myself ready.

Here is a little about the town:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Thanks to everyone for all your well wishes and support. I hope you all have a safe and happy summer! I will keep in touch.

Hasta Luego!

10 Days!

I can hardly believe it! It seems like it has been forever since I decided to go and now it is just around the corner. I am nervous, excited and ready to just get on the plane and take whatever comes my way over the next 5 weeks. I have been packing and unpacking trying to decide what I should take and what I should leave behind. I know I will take too much, like many others who have gone before me.

I have decided to only walk about 8kms the first day. Most of it will be uphill. I will be staying at an albergue in Orisson. Here is the view from the back patio and yes, I am walking up one of those hills that you see. Actually, Orisson is at about 750m and there is about 700m more to go the next day to reach the top of the 'hill'. 1,400m in all! The other picture I have included it is the outside of the albergue from the road.

At this point I am as ready as I am going to be! Bring on 1,400m and the fantastic views!

Five Weeks!

About five weeks until I leave for the Camino. Everyone has been asking me if I am ready, and I have to say I'm not sure. I have had so little time to really stop and think about it between work and family. It has been so busy! However, as I start gathering stuff together the excitement builds. I am making lists of things to do before I go, but I am also really trying to give myself over to the experience and the Camino. I have decided that I am going to adopt the mantra of "What the Camino gives is what I will take." This is hard for me, as my daily routine is driven by schedules, to do list, bells, agendas (mine and other's) and people needing things. I am weary and looking forward to the regernation of the Camino and walking every day.

I'll keep posting as the time flies!

Counting Down the Weeks

I was at work last week and a colleague popped by to say hi. They just happened to mention that we only have about 13 weeks (well less now) of work left. Thirteen weeks! I had a moment of elation followed by absolute fear. Thirteen weeks to get ready - physically, mentally, and even spiritually on some level. The fear passed and the excitement took over as I started to think about what I need to do between now and then. So far I have checked the following off of my list:

1) Buy Tilley hat - took it to Cuba and love it!
2) Buy backpack - it is in the works as I write this.
3) Book accommodations - have done so for the beginning in Saint-Jean-Pied, my first night on the Camino at Orisson, and at the end in Santiago.
4) Apply for my Pilgrim Credentials from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims - it arrived this week! This will allow me to stay in all the albergues along the way.
5) Continue with my Spanish classes - start back on April 22nd. In the meantime, iTunes is my tutor.

and

6) Make my list of things to bring.

Although there is still a long list to go through, it doesn't seem quite as daunting. My anticipation builds everyday. Of course there are moments of uncertainty, but it is overpowered by the thought of being on the Camino. The weeks are going to fly by as the spring weather takes over and it is so good to be running outside again. A HUGE thanks goes out to the women at work who are running with me during our lunch hour! You Rock!

Mejores Deseos,

Tammy

One Step Closer

Hello Everyone!

I went shopping a couple of weeks ago with my friend Joy who has walked the Camino twice! She is such an inpsiration and she keeps me going when I want to turn away from doing this. Believe me, there are times when I question this whole journey. It can be quite daunting and a little scary knowing that I will be spending a lot of time alone with my thoughts. What will I ask? What answers will I find along the way?

Then I also think about all the people I will meet on this journey as well. Pilgrims walking alone during the day, but enthusiastically greeting one another at the albergues and over dinner and listening to each other's daily adventures. This is also what draws me to this experience.

Well, I am several steps closer to the going. I have bought my walking poles, boots, and sleeping bag. I have also purchased my plane ticket!! The biggest hurdle. There is no turning back now. I am nervous, scared, but most of all elated! I can't wait to begin.

On the road to Santiago,

Tammy

The Camino