Flashback to the Camino: Day 1

(On the plane.) Here we go — the story begins.  The funny thing is, here I am leaving for the trip of a lifetime, and I’m worrying about that there are 36GB of cellular data on my phone.  What??  How did that happen?  I’m worried I’m costing the family plan an arm and a leg.  This is why I like controlling everything.  I like to know what’s going on.  I’m seeing from this. . . lost that thought — oh yeah!  that I must take one day at a time, steps at a time.

(Written in the notebook margin.) I am now determined to use the sides of the notebook, too.  No waste!  Write, write, write!  This will be a discovery journey.  What do I need?  What don’t I need?  What are my strengths?  What are my challenges?  I do want to stick to $40 (spent per day), but I would love the freedom to spend however I choose.  At least this will force me to go the more traditional route and meet more people.  I wonder who I will meet on my journey. . .  I hope they come from all over!  And I hope they speak English!  English is truly a blessing for its universality.  That is truly, truly a blessing.  And I feel really bad that I did not give a donation for the passport.  I will have to give a good donation next time.  Just even my first day in France will be a blessing!  Everything else is a bonus!  I’m . . .  lost that thought.  Oh yeah.  I’m not sure I will want to come back.  I’m enjoying tutoring less again.  Time to perk it up!  But also find ways of working that fit my dream.  Tutoring is simply not my dream, just as nothing but Shaklee is Brian’s dream — although, there is also the idea of the health center.

I was terrified today.  Terrified and scared.  And I don’t like this pen.  And I feel sick.  The Snickers bars were NOT a good idea.  I probably should have bought some food with the $6, but I didn’t.  I wonder if I could exchange it.  For $1 Euros.  So silly.  At least I have money for the transport.  I can’t believe we only have 1/2 hour.  I guess I should have taken a look at that .

But I can take a book or two.  I hope I get to say on the same plane — when in England.  I dislike getting on and off.  I’d like to feel some freedom with what I do there.  Maybe I could send my journals home – and items I no longer need.  my back back is ridiculously huge.  Watching a bit of the movie in front of me.  Almost want to watch a movie, but don’t.  I’ll read el Camino books.

Really excited about what I will see there.  Kind of wishing I had more phone access now, but I will look for wi-fi.

Perused the guidebook — even more excited about the trip now!  Pretty hungry, though.  What will I do with the notebooks is send them ahead on the 25th day.  I don’t know how this will work.  I’ll see how much I write in them, too.  10 pages per day.  It will take me 15 days to finish the 2 notebooks. (I only finished one notebook.) Maybe I will buy one more along the way.  And send all 3 ahead.  I can be frugal.  I think I need to really enjoy this, though.  Spain looks absolutely wonderful!  And limit technology, yes.  I will need to hop on wi-fi immediately at the end of the day to be able to talk to the U.S.  3pm will be 10pm!  (I was backwards here. . .)  Will definitely have to be during a break, I think.  Or maybe on a weekend when Brian can stay up a little longer.  5pm call?  Texting?  And I have 1 text a day, anyway.

We are in Canada now (overhead).  The blessings from everyone really meant a lot to me.  particularly the one from Grandma.  Really sweet.  I wonder what Dad told them. (text omitted)

This notebook is not the most important part of my experience, though it is important.  My spiritual journey is more so.  It’s me, God, and the angels right now!  I definitely have to come back here with my family —  Brian in particular.  If this goes well, and I’m anticipating it is going to go very well — I think I may actually come back many times.  I may bring others here.  Can’t wait to start walking!  Gotta keep that adrenaline, right!  Argh!  So excited!  I just kind of wish I had Brian with me.  But I know I need to go there alone.  It would probably be good for him to go it alone — or something similar — too.  I don’t know if I’ll ever do the Appalachian trail.  It’s not really my thing.  I don’t feel a need to prove myself amidst the crazy elements.  I’m really excited about meeting many different people.  I will just need to be sure that I get some Teri alone time.  It will probably need to happen when I am on the trail. I wonder if the one woman in the documentary was mostly alone.  I think my “theme of the journey” is “connection.”  Could also be “gratitude”, but I feel “connection” is stronger.  Connection with myself and connection with spirit/God/Goddess.  Maybe I will even figure out what I want to call them.  Thought a bout getting up and going to the bathroom because my seat partner did, but I don’t need to.  I think I’ll wait.  Better to practicing holding the bladder?  Not sure.  I think my seat partner looks a little like the (unintelligible writing) guy.

Still trying to understand humility. . . (to be continued)

 

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Camino Withdrawal

It is good to be back at my laptop. I finished the Camino (“The French Way”) on July 28th, 2017.  Today I am back home and experiencing some serious “Camino” withdrawal. I understand this is normal, and it does feel good — cathartic, despite some pain.

At 5am this morning Brian woke up early to start his “Miracle Morning.” I got up with him (though a few minutes later). I stepped into his routine, started a pot of tea, and helped him make a smoothie — and then it hit. As we sat drinking our morning tea I related to him: “Right now I might be getting up, or maybe a little later (though on Spain time). I’d be putting lotion on my feet in the dark. Then, I’d roll up my sleeping bag liner. I’d wrap my big toes, put two layers of socks on, and fill up my water bottles . . . Then, I’d pack up, put my hiking boots on, and often leave in the dark. . .” Then the tears flowed. I think it concerned him, but I assured him this was normal.

Just this last Friday morning is when I reached Santiago. There wasn’t a big fanfare; I reached it alone. Friends had already arrived before and would continue to arrive after. I started the trip alone; I ended it alone — and I think I’d wanted it that way. On my way down the streets of Santiago that Friday, walking toward the Obradoiro Plaza, I heard city violinists played Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” How did they know to play that song? Memories of the first few days and my first walking companions swam back into my memory. My South Korean friend was once again playing the song on his phone for me and my Camino friends from France and the UK, as we walked along our own “fields of gold”, our feet swaying with the rows of wheat along the “French Way”.

I don’t want to forget. The tears remind me that I won’t. I still have not fully processed everything, and that’s ok. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Love, light, blessings. ❤

6 Days ’til el Camino: Time

Pictured: Our lilies!  Last year I spent an hour or two clearing out dead leaves and brush from our lilies, and I wondered why our lilies hadn’t bloomed, while our neighbors’ had.  Well, it looks like the work paid off — a year later.  Yay, for reminders about divine timing!

Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  And I leave in less than a week!  Last week was a little rough because some fears started creeping in.  And it seemed to be mirrored by my surroundings.  People I would talk to were worrying about my going it alone.

But this week I feel ready.  It’s time.  2 weekends ago I walked 10 miles in a day.  This past weekend I walked 12.  I need to be more consistent when I’m walking, but at least I know I can do it. So far only 2 blisters.  One on my finger from holding a water bottle, and the other from a backpack shoulder strap.  (I think my backpack was a little lopsided from uneven water bottles — gotta figure that out.)  My feet have been great, and my legs feel strong.  Now it’s just about the long haul.

Tonight I go in to check on my Verizon plan to see about communication while in Spain.  One of my last tasks to get ready!  This weekend I will go through my packing list again, make sure everything is washed, and repack my backpack.  I also plan to get another long walk in.

A few people were razzing me about not having a return flight or even knowing where the nearest airport would be, so I finally looked that up today.  There’s one right at the end!  That makes it easier.  I’d like to walk the extra last bit to the ocean before I go, but we’ll see.

I have a few odds and ends to clean up: I’ve been unsubscribing from e-mails so that I don’t have a big mess when I get home.  I’ve also got to return all of my library books and set up away messages on my e-mail, Facebook, voicemail, etc.  It’s coming, my friends!  It’s coming!

17 Days ’til el Camino: Ready to Go

I’m so ready to go.  Often when something big is coming, or a “baby” is being birthed for me, I start to push against it.  So, I just want to get it over with — I want to go now!  But be careful what you wish for, right?  I strategically planned this trip to leave when I am.  I squeezed it between Brian’s Shaklee conference and my last planned workshop (a Vision Workshop in Spanish!)

I’m so looking forward to this trip now.  Part of me is afraid something will come up that will try to prevent me from going.  But I know the danger of entertaining those thoughts.  I will not put my attention on it.  I will put my attention on the journey.

Tonight I finish up plans for Vision Workshop: Part 2 — the first of 3 back-to-back Saturday workshops.  I’m pretty excited about these.  I’m going out with a bang!  (Time to change some lives!)  I also had 2 group Vision Workshops come up for June (1 on a webinar), and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share my talents in this way.

Down in the dumps today.  The difference was tangible because I have a tutoring student who I absolutely love working with, and I was completely drained for her and was struggling to motivate myself for the lesson.  I think my drop is a combination of all the current stress with everything happening right now: a new, semi-unmotivated student, upping my walking regime in the increasing heat and with an increasing backpack size, and challenging circumstances in the household with my fiancee and I making transitions into new jobs with changing financial situations.

Through it all — no matter what happens — I am grateful that I am consciously working on some serious life lessons.  I’m developing self-empowerment and acceptance.  I’m already learning how to release judgement and accept the beauty of what is.  I know el Camino will help me further with this, but I am transforming wherever and whenever I am!

Life is beautiful.  Thank you all for your support. ❤

Much love, many blessings.

18 Days ’til el Camino: The Last Stretch

2 1/2 weeks left.  Crazy!  Once I hit June, my mental state shifted.  I became pretty nervous!  The worry-wart/ perfectionist popped in and started getting all fussy about things.  I decided this week to put my main attention on el Camino and to get some “last-minute” things accomplished this minute, so that I might feel a little calmer.  And it worked.  I feel much better already.

I have all of my supplies now except for some of my blister kit, some shower shoes, and plastic bags to protect my belongings in case of moisture.  I’ve contacted my credit and debit card companies, and they are set to go except that I’m waiting to get confirmation of my pin.  I looked into my flight and first night, and I see that my stopover isn’t nearly as long as I’d thought (just a few hours), and I’ll be arriving in France in the afternoon of the 27th.  I also looked into first night stays and joined a few Facebook groups, including “American Pilgrims on the Camino.”  They gave me great advice about a possible hostel (or albergue  for Spain or gite for France).  I just applied for a reservation, and it sounds inexpensive and lovely, so I’m hoping I’ll get accepted.  As far as transportation from the airport to my first place of stay, I’m looking into Express Bourricot.  The only thing is it could be a bit pricey if it’s just me: Price /1 person= 84,00 €      2 people =  42,00   3 people = € 28,00 4 people = € 21,00. They try to group people together, though, so I’m going to put my attention on there being at least one other person who joins me.  As soon as I have a confirmed place of stay, I’ll book the transportation as well.

I’ve gotten off the horse as far as physical prep, but I got back on this morning.  I walked 2 hours with my sister (5-6 miles).  My mom gave me an extra pedometer that she had, and with the 2-hour walk today plus regular movement, I am currently at 19, 250 steps for the day!  One of the Facebook group members was talking about prep and said to walk 2 long days back-to-back at a time, with a days rest in between.  It suggested walking at least 6 miles a day.  Well, my “long” days have been 6 miles, so it’s time to up my game again.  I plan to walk at least an hour every day for the last 18 days, and this Sunday I will be walking for 5 hours (nearly how long I’ll be walking daily on el Camino).

I had a wonderful “mini-Camino” this past weekend.  I took a road trip down to Texas to be at the wedding of two people who I love very, very much.  I road down with a very good friend who I got to reconnect with on the way.  She shared some of her favorite recordings, including Abraham Hicks and a few interviews with Robert Schwartz.  The learnings, the conversations, and a beautiful reunion all caused a shift in me.  I began to get the feeling that this weekend was maybe the “mini-Camino” I was needing.  It’s all about the journey, right?

I look forward to all of the little and “big” journeys ahead, and I wish you wonderful journeys as well!

Much love, many blessings. ❤

32 Days ’til el Camino: 1 month left!

Well, it’s pretty much one month left now!  It’s been another wild week, including some funky dreams and great content from Andy Shaw.

I walked a few times in the past week, between 45 minutes and 2 hours with the backpack on. Today I added some new items when I walked, the new orders that I mentioned in the last post.  Something that is noticeably missing from my backpack is a guidebook I ordered a month ago that never arrived.  I looked up tracking and discovered it had been delivered to Cincinnati, Ohio.  No help to me there!  Amazon is checking into it, and thankfully, my mom gifted me another guide book that I may just be able to use in its place.

I’m starting to redevelop some good daily habits.  I’ve been exercising more, taking my vitamins more regularly, eating fairly healthily, got back into the yoga challenge, am journaling, and have started writing my vision out daily.  I’m also indulging and reading more, which is such a pleasure!

I’m looking forward to my dreams tomorrow morning!  This morning I had a few dreams  in auditoriums.  This could have to do with imagination or literally me and auditoriums.  Either way, it’s fantastic!

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Much love, many blessings. ❤

49 Days ‘Til El Camino: Are We There Yet?

Why does 49 seem like so much less than 50??

Today I walked 3 hours, as planned.  And nearly died.  That’s not true.  I did very well but was very tuckered out by the end.  I actually walked 2.75 hours, and then took the dogs out for their mile walk, and they were dragging me along for the first half.  I’m really glad I decided to up my game.  I plan to walk at least 1 3-hour walk per week, and my next walk will be with a full backpack.  (Today I walked with my empty backpack, except for a water bottle.)

I’m so, so grateful that I walked twice this past weekend.  I can see now how valuable physical preparation can be!  And my wonderful friend read my blog and offered to go for a walk with me!  She’s a yoga instructor, too, and offered to teach me some good foot stretches!  The universe is very good to me! ❤

I need to make sure I get my last orders in by the end of this week or next week at the latest.  There will be plenty of stores in Spain, but I don’t want to mess around with things like trying to find an adapter.  I need my phone to work!

In the past few weeks I’ve started talking aloud to myself.  I find it very therapeutic.  It’s very amusing to me because that’s the supposed to be the definition of “crazy”, right?  Well, I already knew I was crazy.  I guess this just confirms it. . .  I found myself talking to myself often during the walk today.  It was nice.  At one point I actually got tired of hearing myself talk and was quiet for a bit, but soon I picked it up again!

I’ve really come to see how I’m already walking “el Camino”.  I started walking it the day I decided to go.  That’s what we are all called to do: walk our own “Caminos”.  There is a dream inside of each of us, and only we can decide for it because it is ours, and ours alone.  Once we do decide for it . . .  we are on our way!  The journey has begun; the lessons and learnings commence.

Today I felt so grateful.  So incredibly, incredibly grateful.  Because things feel right again.  I laugh at myself when I see how blind I was, even a few weeks ago!  I’ve known since college how important travel is to me, ever since I took off and lived a semester in Mexico.  But I shoved down my dream and decided it wasn’t important.  Why?  There are plenty of excuses I could use to explain it away.  And often many of us do.  But not anymore. Not me.  What about you?

I’m back on track, and it’s an exhilarating (and sometimes scary!) ride.  Here’s to the journey.  Here’s to our lives!

Much love and many blessings. ❤