The Camino Portuguese, My Way

 First, the good news.  There's a Hawaiian-themed night during my Camino journey.  I didn't have a Hawaiian shirt to wear, so ordered one through House of Target.  It came today.  See what you think of my choice.  So far it's getting good reviews among friends and those in the group. Now the disturbing part, at least for me.  Among the WhatsApp exchanges were politically-oriented posts from one of the members in Australia.  "Can you vote correctly the next time?" "Buddy, I tried!" "Same here."  "Same here." "Same here."  I totally understand people's politics, but one of the reasons I enjoy the "hiking bubble" is the LACK  of politics.  To me, we're all just people, at least on the trail.  I'll respect your beliefs.  But if I'm excluded or basically ostracized from the group for mine?  Is that really fair?  I'm trying to get away  from the noise, not be engulfed in it.  The exchange really depre...

Funny what showed up at the Saguaro Branch library today.  Something for me to digest and whet my appetite before I leave for Portugal! Someone with the group had suggested Top Santiago as a luggage/pack transfer service during the hike.  I'm usually hard-core and want to carry my pack the entire journey.  But I started thinking...it's six years later, I've started feeling big toe joint problems, my back gets cranky on occasion.  So I conceded to age/aches and pains and decided to transfer my bag on each segment.  I'll use a fanny pack and carry rain gear if necessary.  Most of the other items can be transferred point to point.  I'm supposed to enjoy the walk, not turn it into a survival contest.  It's called knowing your limits. 56 days until liftoff.  It's not easy training in Phoenix in the summer.  I do what I can by 9-10am and then it's inside.  Too many people making news by hiking in the middle of the day.  I don't need ...

 Just reading how Dan Mullins' "Somewhere Along the Way" came to be.  He tells the story on his website.   The Camino song | Dan Mullins music 64 days and counting until I leave.  I have to admit I haven't been excited yet.  Before my first Camino I would look at the map daily and envision myself walking up to O Cebreiro.  Or seeing the spires of the Cathedral in Santiago from Monte de Gozo.  The lack of excitement comes from a lonely feeling.  A lot of people in the group know each other, so I'm a newbie.  How will I fit in?  I've briefly introduced myself in the WhatsApp group.  I'm sure things will fall in place once I'm over there, and I won't feel like I'm on an island by myself.  It's some of that, plus all the politcial noise over here.  I'm tired of negativity and just need to get in the hiking bubble where we're just people.  It's not easy breaking free from the dark cloud I feel. For those musically inc...