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My Camino: Day 9 – I’ve Got This Itch
Faithful readers will know that before I took off for my Spanish Schlep, I did some Camino grooming – getting my hair done, a pedicure, and a waxing – like the Full Monty or as I call it, the Telly Savalas. Yeah, a tad pervy but – pristine for my plans to walk some 500 miles across Spain. So here I am on Day 9 and wouldn’t you know it – the Camino had me by the short hairs! The nibs are starting to rub. Any woman who has ever waxed or shaved knows how irritating that is (for you guys, it’s like that 3 day-old beard it itches like…
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My Camino: Day 8 – There Are No Shortcuts
Who had “She’ll get lost on Day 8?” I had made a deal with myself today – promising a light, easy, take it slow, and relaxing day. I really needed it. Yesterday’s 17 mile march was too much – I mean, I’ve signed up to walk The Camino not the army. And to be honest, it’s felt like I’ve enrolled in the army lately. I’ve been marching like I’m going off to war – not totally giving myself the opportunity to enjoy the Spanish Schlep. So this morning I slept in until eight and set off on an easy 10 mile walk from Logrono to the small village of Ventosa.…
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My Camino: Day 7 – The Bulls are Running
I had something to prove today. As I hobbled into Los Arcos yesterday familiar pilgrims offered their kind words, concerns, and doubt – AND this was after my hilltop rubdown. My feet were dying as I struggled with four blisters – and the six days of non-stop walking since I started my Camino in St Jean Pied de Port were really destroying the balls of my feet. My legs were as hard as rocks and every time I sat down, excruciating pain shot through my thighs when I stood up. I was a mess – which, for someone nearly 60 is nothing to be proud of. But c’mon, why were…
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My Camino: Day 6 – Free Wine and a Hilltop Rubdown
There’s nothing like the promise of free wine to get me up and out of bed and back on the Camino de Santiago. I’m not going to lie, It’s been a rough couple of days. My feet are a disaster; I’ve got three known blusters and more are on the way. My right big toe is looking dodgy, I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose that toenail, and then there are my thunder thighs – there’s an epic storm brewing under my skin. My muscles seize up the minute I sit to have a snack, drink or pee. I’m walking like a hobbit and not the cute ones – more…
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My Camino: Day 5 – Mutiny on the Mountain
These pious pilgrims wanted revenge.
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My Camino: Day 4 – The Day I Lost My Shit
I have three huge fears of this trip: flashers, not finishing, and "having to go" like, out in the open on the holiest of holy trails.
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My Camino: Day 3 – The Day I was Told to Shut Up
What is the proper response when you're told to be quiet while walking the Camino?
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Walking the Camino and Trying Really Hard Not to be Judgmental
I’m trying really hard to be a good citizen here on the Camino knowing that for many, it’s a life’s dream; a search for meaning in life, a pilgrimage in hopes of a miracle, or penance for some past misdeed. And I’m really trying not to be judgmental, but c’mon the dark forces are all around me, there’s no escaping its pull. Let’s just start with my journey to Madrid. There I was seated in 7A on my way to D.C. playing word games, solitaire and ordering snacks. I was trying to decide if I should be having deep thoughts -BUT- It’s kind of hard to have deep thoughts when…
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Before I Leave for My Camino – A Love Letter to My Husband
You're the reason I'm planning to walk - alone - 500 miles across Spain, to do the Camino de Santiago.
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Walking Alone on the Camino and All That Emotional Baggage
You wanna know what really scares me about walking alone on the Camino de Santiago – me. I’m terrified of spending 30-40 days all by myself. I’m not scared of the actual physicality of doing this (although walking 500 miles is c’mon, terrifying) – no, what scares me is all that alone time with myself. You know, me, myself and I. I’ve got a lot on my mind, a lot locked up, a lot of regrets, and to be honest, I’m not sure I’m ready to open all those cans of worms. There’s my mother. She and I had the most difficult relationship, we didn’t speak for years. It was…
