From The Beginning

A few years ago my next door neighbor says to me "hey, want to go hiking in Portugal with me?"  I'm all about adventure so I say "sure."  I chatted with my husband about the adventure, invited him to go along, promised him I would get into shape, and then left it alone for a while.  Last last year my neighbor says to me "hey, still want to go to Portugal with me?"  Again I say "sure!"  I reminded my husband that I was asked to go, invited him to go along, and promised him I would get into shape.  I convinced another neighbor to go along on the adventure and in January 2011 we purchased our tickets and our little group of seven backpackers commited ourselves to the journey.  We are going on a pilgramage.  We will be traversing the Camino de Santiago (the Portuguese route)--for 150 miles starting in Porto Portugal where the port wine flows and ending two weeks later in Santiago Spain. http://www.caminhoportuguesdesantiago.com/EN/caminho.php This weblink will give you a little idea of the route and the meaning. I've never even thought I could undertake anything so physically taxing.  I've spent a small fortune on "supplies" like shoes, socks, light weight clothes, sports bras, etc. so I can carry my worldly belongings on my back from town to town along the journey. I've packed my pack, loaded it on my back with said belongings and have been practicing my hiking around our neighborhood.  My next door neighbor is a Priest in the Episcopal Church--this will be a spiritual journey for her.  For me, too, perhaps or perhaps a test of my faith or a look inward at myself.  I am looking forward to seeing what the journey teaches me along the way and hope the eyes in my head and in my heart are open to see the lessons.