Camino de Santiago - the dos.

This design just made me happy. Smart parenting. Everyone plays together:

One of the people I’m walking with has a guide book. He is our guide (pronounced gweed-ay) He reads all the history and when we pass things of note he points them out and explains what he read. This bridge, he explained, was noteworthy because the tradition is that you have to take your shoes off whenever you cross it. He took his shoes off and explained to the other pilgrims who joined us crossing the bridge. About 10 of us crossed it together, shoes in hand. About half way across the bridge he starts giggling and announces the equivalent of, “It’s the tradition. Tradition of Gweeday!” He made the whole thing up. I’m still giggling.

Camino de Santiago - The Beginning

I was planning to sleep a bit and not worry about hurrying ahead. The day wasn’t suppose to be too hot, so I didn’t see the need to rush ahead ... well, it seems others had other ideas. The dorm was alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic by 5:30am, so so was I! I headed out alone into the dark and followed the signs I could see through the dark streets and up the start of a hill, which turned into a climb, which turned into a mountain, and then a mountain range. All in all we - the travelers of the day, strangers mostly - climbed 1,400 meters with packs ranging from approximately 4 - 12kg ... mine weighing in somewhere around 10.5 (in hindsight, WAY too heavy).

And off we go!

The last few years have been an adventure, but sadly weren't able to be properly documented here.  My apologies for anyone with FOMO, but yeah, you missed out.  Moving on though, I'm off to find my Way.  

So here we go.  I will be hiking (walking) the Camino de Santiago.  As is the case with most things I do, there were some last minute complications, so don't be surprised if this series is interrupted periodically with pictures of other places and unrelated adventures.  Given my writing history, it kinda makes sense.  No? 

Since I am trying to keep my pack weight down, this trip sadly won't include super high quality photography, but I hope it will include high quality photo subjects which make up for cell phone travel photos, and reduced verbiage.  

Until next time, I hope this video of me preparing for departure will hold you over: 

Shout out to Urban Axes Boston

Test Test 1 2 ...

Long long ago, google disabled the app for blogger - the website that hosts this Blogovel. Sadly the only app I found was created by the developer “Made in Russia” which is a little suspect and also costs money. Since my next trip will be without my laptop I need to test out a few mobile work-arounds.

Enjoy this photo while I experiment.

Today I learned ...

Today my host mother walked into the room and handed me a nondescript packet of beige powder.  No explanation. No modeling of what one should do with this packet. Just sort of a "Here.  This is for you" motion.

I proceeded to smell it ... nothing.  Try again ... burnt?  One more time ... 

Me:  Burnt coffee?
Mom:  Corn.  Burnt corn.  
Me:  What do I do with it?
Mom:  Eat it man!

Then she proceeds to pour a small amount from her own packet onto her palm and licks it off.  

I've made many questionable decisions in my time here, and I think this qualifies as one.  Oh well, trust the Mama.

... kinda tasteless, then grows to something akin to flour.  Oh there it is!  Just barely burnt popcorn, with a hint of sugar.  Okay.  No regrets.

Thanks Mom!

Today I learned about Kasham.