Life's a Stitch

We've had the luxury of a slow re-entry back to regular life. We've arrived in El Vendrell, Spain, where we recovered from jetlag prior to the Camino, in a house generously loaned to us by a former coworker. The familiarity was comforting after almost two months.

Coming back to our two suitcases filled with stuff was like Christmas, but so much stuff when all we've had with us were a change of clothing and the essentials!

I'll admit joy at finding my knitting, electric toothbrush, a reusable ice pack (and having access to a freezer in which to cool it) and my camera. C said if I had had the camera on the trek we'd still be walking. He claimed that each picture put me back 100 yards.

I'll be taking a long hard look at each item, maybe there are things I can live without. I can't believe the weight I carry in health and beauty supplies. Here's an example: do I really need separate creams for face, hands, feet and body? For six weeks I only used only one for all parts without disaster. Have I fallen prey to cosmetic marketing? On the Camino most women wear no makeup and do without hair colour. It's a chance for everyone to be their basic selves and we all did just fine. It will be interesting to see what happens when we return to our real worlds.

I carried only an iPhone for the trip. It served as my camera, books, maps, GPS, phone, and notebook. I came back to find I also have in my suitcase my kindle, iPad, Garmin, camera and a large container of their respective chargers. I think I've learned further lessons in travelling lightly.

The largest lesson for me was one of gratitude, to have the ability to live this dream, to have successfully done it together with the support of those who walked with us physically and in spirit. I am thankful that other than foot pain we stayed healthy, no colds, serious injuries or GI issues typical of travel.

I understand those who hunger to return and repeat the same route many times over. It is a respectful place protected from harsh words and the realities of life. Maybe a safe escape for some.

Me? Would I do it again? I would certainly entertain the concept of pilgrimage again, but on a different route. Realistically I see Canada's Chemin des Sanctuaires as a possibility, 18 days between Montreal and Quebec (http://www.chemindessanctuaires.org/en/)
If I were to have the opportunity to walk the Camino de Santiago again, I'd probably choose the shorter Portuguese route, from Porto to Santiago and add on the days to Finisterre.

I'll be posting more of our journey and the more practical aspects in the days to come.

And how about some Camino outtakes?
Not his best angle:

C practicing the art of photobombing:

Lookalike?

Fully loaded, starting the Camino or dressed for a moonwalk?

Grumpy peregrino:

Yes, we ate here: