Today is Tuesday, 2 August. 

      I have just been working on my template and trying to learn more about this site.

      I have not mentioned why I am walking the Camino. Years ago, our book group, Pages and Sages, read a book about El Camino by Shirley MacLaine.  El Camino De Santiago (the way of St James) sounded like a neat thing to do.  Through the years I have met people who have walked it and everyone had a unique, yet personally rewarding experience.  I started reading books about the Camino.  I thought one day it might be interesting to walk it for several reasons. One reason being I thought I could do it.  I thought I was mentally, spiritually and physically able to do it.  At 71 I am in excellent health and maybe I just want to give thanks for this fact. And, after all, everyone can walk!  I am not a great athlete and just dabble in golf, and tennis and pickleball and other sports, but to walk 500 miles seemed like a doable challenge.  Also, I love traveling and having spent several years living in Europe: in Germany as a child and in Belgium as an adult.  I love the international environment.  I love diversity.  I love learning about people and places. And, I am open to experiencing new adventures.  

      So when Helen and I were walking to the Capitol to get a glimpse of the Pope in October, 2015, it all came together when I asked what plans she had for the new year and she said she would like to make a pilgrimage and at the same time, we said, are you familiar with the Camino!  Then we were standing on the lawn of the Capitol and a young student had a sweatshirt on that said El Camino de Santiago! After talking to her, we turned to the couple on the other side and the woman said that her husband, who was standing right there, had walked the Camino with his brothers!  If we were looking for confirmation, there it was!!!!

     I do want to add that my statement that "anyone can walk" was a little naive!  I can walk, but this

is a whole new ballgame!  This is hiking.  And hiking means going uphill and downhill, over rocks and tree branches, for miles and miles and miles!  It is hard work. Yes, I was very naive!!  Off to bed because I am walking 6 miles with Karen at 7AM.  Buen Camino!