The Things I Learned on my El Camino de Santiago

Good morning everyone:

It has been 6 months since I started my El Camino de Santiago (May 21 was my first day of walking).  Interesting, I have realized that my Camino journey is really my whole life.  The El Camino gave me an opportunity to slow down and reflect on my amazing journey.  I am so grateful for everyone in my life right now and all those I have met along the way.

In the past few years, I have learned that people can change and more importantly that I can change.

So this post is about the list of what I learned on the El Camino.  When I made this list a few months ago, I tucked it away, thinking that I would add more to it later on but when the opportunity came, this week, to share it with Lloyd Jones, Martin's father, I realized that the list is really complete. 

If you are thinking of walking the El Camino de Santiago or just wanting to know more about it, there are many blogs like mine, where you get the feel of the journey.  Enjoy my "take aways" and I hope that you will find your own, when you go on your own Camino.

The Things I Learned on my El Camino de Santiago

1) Take time away from people when you need it.  There will always be more people coming along.

2) Wear a wide brim hat, it keeps the rain off your glasses.

3) Watch for and accept kindnesses as they are given.

4) There is a difference between care taking and kindness.  Be aware of your motives.

5) Be gentle with yourself.  It is a long way and you have time.

6) Roll your sleeping bag up from the head opening to the feet, that keeps the dust from the road where it belongs.

7) Sometimes an extra 300m (one way) off the trail for coffee (and a pee) is worth it.

8) Everything in your pack needs a place, that way you will always remember where it is when you need it.

9) Sometimes idiot mittens were helpful as children... attach things to your pack.

10) Remember to bring everything you need to the bathroom in the morning, it will save you many trips.

11)  Be nice to slugs and move them out of the sun, everyone needs help once and a while.

12) Our bodies are amazing and can adjust to many things, even 30 km days.

13) Take time to smell the roses.

14) It can be fun to cook a meal with friends.

15) Remember that everyone you meet is there for a reason, it's ok to learn what you need and let them move on.

16) Like people in our lives, you will sometimes need a break from your pack to maintain a good relationship, send it ahead when you need to.

17) Always help a local Spaniard, if the opportunity arises, we are in their home.

Love 

Lauralee

My first 1/2 Marathon, October 30, 2016, in Niagara Falls.

Waiting to go home...

So the past three days have been a whirlwind. We made it in to Santiago and it was hot, 25 degrees in the square.

I started to cry as we came into Santiago. Not at this point but as we walked passed the man playing the bag pipes

As many of you know, my father passed away in April 2013. There have been many times during my Camino that I have had signs that he was here with me on this journey and this was yet another.

Martin and I took a few more fun photos:

This is the Templar Peregrino behind us.

By the time we got to the plaza it was hot and I was tired and the amount of commercialization was a bit of a turn off. So we took a couple of pictures and went off to find our accommodation.

Later we took a few pictures after we got ready for dinner, note the new dress, no peregrino garb for my final night.

This has been an amazing adventure for me. As it comes to a close, I can't begin to sum up what I learned and I am told that it takes several months to fully assess the many "take aways."

What I know this morning is I met people from all over the world with a single goal, walking to Santiago de Compostela. We all made this our own Camino and we were so blessed to have shared it with each other.

Thank you all for sharing this journey with me. It has been so much fun to write my blog each day knowing that so many of you were following along. You all gave me strength and encouragement to keep going every day.

Love

Lauralee

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet

when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

I made it!!!

Two days to go...

The excitement is all around us. There are so many pilgrims walking now as many people start in Sarría which is the official 100 km starting place to get your Compostella. There are many school age Spanish teenagers as they all must walk the Camino.

Today, we had to walk on an additional 3 km because there was no space in the scheduled town. It was difficult but so worth it. We are in a 14 bed dorm all by ourselves. No snorers for us tonight. Martin got a tour by the owners because he started talking hostels with them. I don't think I mentioned but Martin owns the Ottawa Backpackers Inn in downtown Ottawa. Martin is a second generation hostel owner, as his father  and late mother own(ed) a hostel in Thunder Bay which Martin grew up in. So this knowledge combined with his MA in Economics make him an very successful business owner.

We went for dinner after we got settled and we had this amazing waiter. He was serving at least 100 people in this square and he was unbelievably quick, efficient and really together. We were so impressed we gave him a huge tip and generally you don't tip in Europe.

The walk today was beautiful in the sun and through the shade of many trees.  We went through the town of Melide. I saw this young girl with a Dora the Explorer balloon. It reminded me of friend who once said I reminded her of Dora. So I had to take the picture, it took a few tries but I did it and then there was Lauralee the explorer...

And of course the house of my favourite colour.

There is so much more to share but I don't have time tonight. We are meeting many friends in Santiago on Tuesday for a big party. It will be summer solstice and Candace's birthday. So we have several reasons to party, not to mention finishing 776 km plus 6 km for the two times I had to go back for my stick.

See you all soon

Love

Lauralee

"Remember,

twenty years from now

you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do

than by the things you did do.

So throw off the bow lines.

Sail away from the safe harbour.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

Mark Twain

Four walking days to go....

We made it to Portomarín. We are less than 100 km to go. Martin loves selfies so I had to include this one. The sign post behind us shows 99,939 m or 99 km to go.

Galicia is a lot like Vancouver or the Gatineau hills. So this is very familiar except the cows on the side of the road.

I miss Avro a lot and I try to make friends with the dogs along the way. This is Lutzy. She is a German dog that seems to know I am missing my dog. She is walking the Camino and you often see her in his owner's lap after a long day.

We are four days from Santiago and I felt I had pulled a muscle in my left calf. It was so painful to walk the last 3 km but I made it. We are staying at the Villamartín Albergue/Hotel so I saw it as a sign for self care and booked a massage. My calf is feeling better and I will do my best to take it easy tomorrow.

Martin reminded me that I have walked over 700 km so far. It's quite amazing and I am so grateful.

Take care everyone and I am less than a week from being home.

See you all soon
Love

Lauralee

Ok It Helps If Your Rain Gear Repels the Rain....

So the forecast for the next three days is Rain, Rain, Rain.  We started out today and it was cold and rainy. No getting away from it. So you do your best. I have not had rain since day two of my trip (25 days ago). I guess I forgot that my rain gear doesn't work very well. And it really doesn't work very well in torrential downpours. I have been rethinking the amount I spent on my rain poncho ($7.87 at IKEA). Perhaps the Mountain Equipment Coop poncho for $120 may have been a better idea. Oh well maybe next time I will put more thought into this particular purchase. :-)

This is the picture early in the day when I was still somewhat dry.

This is the marking to say we have moved into Galicia, great wine and seafood will be had by all.

The trick to get through a cold rainy day is just don't stop because once you stop that's it. You get cold and it's really hard to get going again. We stopped. Then looked at the weather report, then looked at the weather report again. All bad news.

It took all I had in me to do the last 3 km. We actually ran a good part of the way, with my backpack, in the rain, soaking wet. But we were successful and there was still room at the Albergue.  Yeah!!

We walked 24.4 km but we wanted to do 30 km to catch up to where we are suppose to be today.

Tomorrow is another day and we still have 6 walking days to get to Santiago.

Lauralee

PS my friend Eric will make it to Santiago tomorrow. An amazing accomplishment, 27 days to walk the Camino Francés.

"I exist as I am, that is enough,

 if no other in the world be aware

 I sit content,

 and if each and all be aware

 I sit content."

 Walt Whitman

The Rain in Spain...

So today, we made it through most of the day without it raining and then about 3:15 it started to rain. We got a late start (9:00 am) so we only made it 20 km of our 28 km scheduled for today. The next week of walking is between 18-24 km each day so we will be able to make up our 8 km without too much trouble.

The super positive thing is we checked into an Albergue with a private room, two twin beds, private bathroom and a real bathtub (not the miniature ones I have come across). Martin went for a nap while I had the longest bath. My feet and legs are in heaven right now.

So backing up a bit. We made it to la Cruz de Ferro. It was an amazing place to spend time and to reflect on my journey. I placed my rocks and left them behind with hope and excitement for what the future will bring.

The next day, Martin and I were walking through Ponnferrada and we decided to take a little break from walking and tour Castillo de los Templarios (The Templars' Castle)

It was the best time ever.  I even got an opportunity to explain my understanding of military strategy based on my "Age of Empires - Castle Battles".

It was loads of fun walking through the castle.

When we finished, we still had hours of walking to do so we set out determined to make it to Villafranca. We talked about many things along the way but what stuck out the most was how important it is to actually stop and smell the roses...

In the end we made it into Villafranca late and tired. It was a 30 km day not including the castle tour. So we were happy to get into our room and then head out for dinner.

You meet so many people on the Camino. We have met this lovely 77 year old man from Fort Langley, BC, his name is Roy.

Roy lost his wife a few years ago and he has been raising money for the Langley Hospice that cared for her http://langleyhospice.com

Check it out if you have time. If you are inspired to donate let them know Roy from the Camino sent you.

I am currently listening to the rain falling outside and so grateful we stopped early and didn't push on to the next stop.

We have 7 more walking days to Santiago

See you all soon

Love

Lauralee

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Lao-tse 

The Camino calls you

 I heard from another pilgrim that the Camino calls you. So I want to share with you my calling.

A couple of years ago when I was just starting to let people know that I was going to walk the Camino I went on a trip to New York City with my Mom. We went on a tour to St. John the Divine Church near Harlem. When I walked into the church I walked over to the left because the stained glass had caught my eye. I walked closer to the stained glass and then looked down and there were crests of the different Saints on the floor and I was standing in front of this one.

So I know that this is exactly where I am suppose to be.

I still have my cold and it has made for slower days but we are keeping our schedule.

Tomorrow we will walk to La Cruz de Ferro. The saying is that you bring a rock from home to leave behind something at the cross. I brought my rock all the way from Ottawa and I am leaving it behind. You can also leave a stone that represents your future. So I chose one today and I walked with it sorting through what I would like my future to look like. I hope that it will be filled with love and kindness (and probably a Masters Degree, at some point).

I will be thinking of you all tomorrow.

Love

Lauralee

León to Villadangos del Páramo

I have a cold

So I woke up this morning and my sinuses were all full. I took the remainder of my Tylenol sinus daytime and pushed through the 22 km walk. It was really hot so I was not sure if I was sweating or had a fever. We made it into town and we stopped at the first Albergue. I laid down right away and had a two hour siesta.

Then Martin and I walked farther into town to find the pharmacy. So my medical translation came in handy to make sure what they gave me was ok.

We had a great dinner - spaghetti. It was the first time I ordered pasta off the pilgrims menu.

I am always so impressed when we come across these tables. People will leave food for the pilgrims. Sometimes they ask for a donation some times not. Here are two that I have come across in the past two days.

I was glad to leave León today. It was crowded and hot. We saw many people that we have seen over the past weeks and chatted over drinks with a few.

As we left León this morning we had to sit by the pilgrim statue.

Caminos Jacobeos:

Arriving at St. Mark

we all gathered

seating by the Cross.

From there two routes start:

One on each side,

one towards Sn. Salvador,

the other to Santiago.

While in León I picked up new lighter socks. They seem to be helping a lot today with my blisters.

Take care everyone, 12 days to Santiago as long as I can stay healthy.

Love
Lauralee

"The mind grows by what it feeds on."

Josiah G. Holland

Moratinos to Bercianos del Real Camino and on to Mansilla de las Mulas

So the past two days have been pretty uneventful. The path is very similar. Although I love the trees along the path. They do offer a certain amount of shade.

I was also feeling a little home sick. The dog at the albergue was very cute with his spiky collar. And reminded me of Avro.

I was also thinking a lot about my friend Barb who passed away a year and 1/2 ago. She was a dear friend and Avro and I miss her. This also made me think of the boys and my pets which also made me homesick.

Martin and I walked separately this afternoon which was so nice to have the alone time to work through my feelings.

I hadn't mentioned that I have sent my pack ahead a few times since I have been here. It helps when my feet are sore or when it is a particularly long day. It costs 5 euro each time but it is well worth it and I consider it to be another form of self care.

The Easy Camino

We transport your luggage

We are at a beautiful albergue called El Jardín del Camino. It even has a trampoline.

I feel very blessed to have Martin here with me. He is such a thoughtful travelling companion.

We will walk into Leon tomorrow and I have found a hotel with a bathtub for a reasonable rate.  You really learn to appreciate the simple things when you do without them.

I am on the downhill now, 15 days to go. It is said there are three parts to the Camino - the first part is physical - the second part is mental and - the third part is spiritual. The physical part is long gone now. It took all my effort to stay positive through the Meseta. When we leave León in a couple of days we will enter the Spiritual. Although, I can certainly feel it starting already.

Love

Lauralee

"Finding inner strength is looking beyond the visible

and focusing life's search on the unseen." 

As We Understood...

Carrión de los Condes to Moratino

Ok the terrain is starting to look the same now. We walked 28 km today because where we wanted to stay had no beds left. So we had to keep going an extra 3.2 km.

At this point, we had 6 km to go. I had just broken down and taken some Tylenol to get through as my feet start to ache around 20 km now.

Martin kept me going with conversations on pipelines, recycling and driverless cars. It helped to get through.

When we got in to Moratinos around 6:00 pm the Albergue gave us a private room which opens on to a balcony.

The pilgrims meal was home made beef stew, salad, ice cream and red wine for $12.50 euros. A great deal for sure.

We were just sitting out on the balcony relaxing before we headed to bed.

We now know that Martin takes about 10 minutes to get ready where I need 45 minutes to an hour. It appears I can "putter" on holidays too just like when I am home 😉.  So I will get up at 6:00 and wake Martin when I am almost ready.

Lauralee

PS I have walk more than 1/2 way now. So it is all down hill now.

Fromista to Carrión de los Condes

Our day began with a good-bye to George. He only had a week to walk with us and then something came up at work and he had to get back to Canada.

I was really sad to see him go because it had taken me three days to get the hang of his dry sense of humour. He is so intelligent that if you are not paying close attention to his wit you miss the joke, the small sheepish grin and the wink that goes along with it.

I truly appreciated some of our conversations around the qualities we are looking for in our next partner. Martin and George have been the perfect people to help me examine what I am looking for in my next relationship. 

Martin and I walked the 19.3 km to Carrión de los Condes. I absolutely loved another walk by water, this time by a meandering stream.

I took the time to finish my Wab Kinew podcast on Red Man Laughing with Ryan McMahan. I just love listening to the two of them. It was hopeful, honest and inspiring. I was so taken by the podcast that I wrote an email to Wab Kinew to say thank you.

Martin and I checked in to our first Albergue for $5 euro per night. Martin has the top bunk. The fellow, who checked us in, kept thinking we were a couple which made us laugh after.

We had a lovely pilgrim dinner and then headed back for free Wi-Fi at the local restaurant.

We have a little longer day tomorrow but we will get through. My feet are healing well with the shorter days. I only have two blisters on my heels which are almost done.

Take care and see you all in 21 days.

Love

Lauralee 

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart."

Carl Jung