Preparations continue as I am a less than one month away from my pilgrim walk. Finding the proper gear, packing only necessary items, and fine tuning the plans have been my focus lately. Finding the right trail shoe and fit has been the biggest challenge but I think I'm finally there. And let's not forget the right socks! I have tried several varieties but what remains consistent is hearing Marine Corps Brian saying over and over in my head how important it is to change socks often and take care of those feet! Conditioning the body means ramping up the walk times and putting the gear to the test. But in addition to the physical preparations, there is also the emotional and spiritual aspect to prepare for. I am both excited and nervous which I hear is very normal.
I mentioned in part one that I may discuss my "whys" for walking the Camino. Some thoughts are too personal to share here but, in general I have experienced many life changes in a short amount of time over the last few years. My hope is to continue working through the grief that I still feel on varying levels daily (losing my spouse, mom, and dad in a three year span= compounded grief). I also continue to search for who I am as a result of these changes and what my life will look like going forward. Strengthening my faith and relationship with God is also important to me on this journey. It is a time to push and challenge myself. It is also a time to meet others from different walks of life, to help one another, to learn. I look forward to so many things on this journey.
I usually try to add a little learning moment in my posts and I thought I would share a bit about the photo I've attached to this post. The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago. The shell symbol is used to mark the way (along with a yellow arrow) on the Camino trail as well as a scallop shell is often found hanging from a pilgrim's backpack. There are many myths and stories about the significance of the scallop shell but one of the metaphorical meanings is that the ridges in the shell represent the different routes pilgrims travel to arrive at the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela. Love this! But during medieval times, the shell had practical uses for pilgrims as it was used as an eating utensil (think of it as a scoop!) and/or to serve the pilgrims food along the trail. I will proudly wear the scallop shell on my backpack.
I will continue to provide updates as my journey gets closer and "along-the-way" once my journey begins.
"What a joy to travel the way of the heart." Rumi