Why "Pilgrimpensador"?

Naming my blog was more difficult than I had thought. Many obvious names such as "Pilgrim Thoughts," Pilgrim Musings," etc. were all taken. I wanted to include a Spanish word -- "pensador" means thoughtful, reflective -- and that is what I hope I can be on this blog.

Preparing for the journey

This trip will be the first time I have ever hiked with a backpack, but let me hasten to add, the load will be light because we do not have to carry sleeping bags or food. Nevertheless, finding the right pack is of paramount importance. It took about 5 hours total and two trips to REI working with the staff there, and trying on about 20 different packs loaded with small sacks to approximate weight. The first purchase was a non-starter and I returned it the next day. A very helpful woman staffer worked with my husband, John, and me on our next REI visit, and I finally chose a very light-weight pack by Osprey, the Atmos 35 (35 liter capacity).

The forecast says we will have mostly overcast skies, some rain, but the temperatures will be in the 60's and low 70's most of the time.

My pack will weigh a total of about 12-15 pounds. I have standard gear including hiking pants, light fleece jacket, rain pants, rain jacket, poncho, sun hat, minimal changes of clothes, a small Spanish-English dictionary, one Magadalen Nabb murder mystery (R.I.P - a great mystery writer who died within the last year or so), a copy of Temple of the Mind - about 17th education, and toiletries, medicines, sun hat, a water bottle, 6 Power Bars, and my small camera. I have also thrown in a couple of scarves so I can approximate some kind of "trail chic."

I am not sure I will be able to upload pictures to my blog from the various internet cafes we hope to find along the way, so photos will come later. Plus I don't have to carry the extra cord for the camera.

John will be taking the guide books and actually carrying my toiletries and a few other things for me. He volunteered to be a kind of Sherpa for me on this trip.

And today my blog got its first "follower" -- my colleague from the Justice Center, Mel Green. Gracias, Mel!

Las Credenciales arrived

Our "Credencial del Peregrino" - Pilgrim's Passports - arrived in the mail for our walk on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela. The first step in becoming an official pilgrim! We requested these official Credenciales from the American Pilgrims on the Camino, based in Palo Alto, California. This group provides information and assistance to pilgrims from the U.S. The Credenciales are smallish fold-outs of thick paper with each of our names and city and country of origin.

The cover is a very nice sepia with the print of an old bridge, a copy of the "Pilgrim's Prayer" from the 12th century Codex Calixtinus - an very early "guide book" about the Camino, a map of the various pilgrim routes across Europe to Spain, and a lovely list called "Spirit of the Camino" with such reminders as "Give thanks at the end of each day," "Watch for the signs that you are on the path," and " Welcome all that comes to you."

The Credenciales must be stamped at specific stops along the way - usually in the church in the town or village. To be an official pilgrim and receive the "Compostela" or certificate stating that you have made the pilgrimage, you must complete the final 100 kilometers on foot or final 200 kilometers if on horse or bicycle. We will be on foot.

Tomorrow - more about our preparation for the journey and our departure in October.