The Wind

The documentary, Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, follows several pilgrims across the French route, each with their own story. One was a young Danish woman, traveling on her own who eventually partners with another solo traveler, a French Canadian, because they are both walking the same pace. Agnes ported a heavy backpack, jammed full, stretching from above her head to her hips, an increasingly burdensome load with each day on the path. Simon, on the other hand, carried a pack at maybe one third the size. He finally convinced Agnes to shed most of the contents, have them shipped home and carry on with the minimalist of supplies.

During this scene, the camera flips to an elderly Spanish couple, wise in the ways of the pilgrimage, who explain how pilgrims on the Camino fill their backpacks with fear. Extra warm clothing for fear of the cold; rainwear for fear of inclement weather; bandages and medicine for fear of falling ill; books and i-phones for fear of being alone with themselves; boots for fear of wet feet; additional food for fear of hunger; sleeping bags for fear of nighttime discomfort.

I replay the scene in my mind each time another item is sought or purchased in these last days of preparation. Worried about sleeping accommodations, so we purchase sleeping bag liners, which are recommended for bedbugs. The temperature appears to be dropping so I question the adequacy of the my raincoat and include a compact one for warmth. Concerned about the accumulating weight, I forego an extra pair of pants. I can live with three pairs of underwear  and socks realizing the need to wash and the small amount of powder detergent weighs less. I survey the paper material to determine what can be scanned or photographed to my phone for reference.

Picked up my prescription sunglasses.
Haircut earlier in the week.
Hiking shoes have been worn in.
Sufficient Euros acquired.
Train tickets to Oviedo purchased.

The backpacks are full; mine weighs 17 pounds, Olga’s amounts to 15. I am below the recommended 10% of body weight; Olgas is a couple above, but then again she is not very heavy to begin with. Both are carry-on size as planned.

One change of clothes, one warm coat, pair of sandals.
Socks, underwear, night shirt.
Toiletries, emergency kit, sun hat.
Hiking poles, water bottle, whistle.
Euro plug, phone charger, notebook.

Anything else? Have we forgotten something?

Our plan to walk ever greater lengths at home was supplanted by a need to we are well rested. We will probably need an extra tube of Voltran and a full bottle of Advil.

What is left to consider?

The threatened strike by flight attendants was resolved on time to ensure our flight is not canceled. The rotating protests of grounds crew at Spanish airports are not scheduled for our destination. The wild fires which were encroaching on the path have subsided and remain south. I am checking the week ahead forecast every morning which changes every day. The temperature is expected to be a comfortable 23 Celsius on our first day of walking, mostly sun; it rises to 26 the following. So far so good.

I have been consuming information from all corners of the web; checking on places to stay in possible towns, depending on our pace, taking into account the weather, with an eye on the terrain, allowing for stops along the way, bearing in mind posts on the Facebook page, considering all the advice on Camino websites, cross tabulating with STOP. Let. It. Be.

Nothing left to do. Nothing to fear.
As long as we have each other, we will figure it out.
On Tuesday, we set sail on our journey.
Buen Camino.

I listen to the wind
To the wind of my soul
Where I’ll end up, well, I think
Only God really knows