Soon I will be off to Spain as a volunteer at a pilgrim’s hostel (albergue) in the village of Canfranc in the Pyrenes. I have to say, when I tell people this, it does sound exciting and I do get oohs and aahs. Very satisfactory.
Most of the planning is in place, however, I am now managing to stress and fuss my way through the packing. I will be hiking for seven days to reach my albergue. Though this is just a stroll by Camino standards; (the traditional route is 800km) I do need to be very crafty about I what I put in my pack which will be carried on my back. I am staying in albergues so no need for a tent and the kitchen sink, but just about everything else.
The selection of what to take is an art and much is written about it in the various Camino forums. People with great experience have wise things to say. The clothes are common sense. With all the wicking and super fabric and expensive performance clothing available, we can all sport different getups. Basically, I need daytime hiking gear and then an after-shower get-up and something to sleep in. According to the forums, some sleep in their next day’s hiking gear and then spring out of bed and are on the trail pronto. Sorry, this does not work for me. I am actually taking a silky nightgown, so laugh away, the diaphanous pilgrim, but it will be topped with a T-shirt, and if it is cold with leggings underneath.
I will also be living and working in the Canfranc albergue for two weeks. My hiking and après-shower gear will just have to work for that. And then there are the other bits and bobs:
Washbag and contents.
Pharmacy: Band-Aids and moleskin for the feet, vitamins and supplements for a month.
Electronics: cell phone, iPod and e-reader with their attendant cables (I know, this could all be amalgamated on my cell phone. Don’t give me more challenges.)
I have my beloved backpack. The rule of thumb is that it should not weigh more than one-tenth of your body weight. At not quite 7 kilos I am very close to that mark. The choice of items to take is all about weight and bulk. So, my silky nightgown at 70 gr and squashes up very small, makes the cut. However, watch out, because a few of those 70gr items can become 500gr and before you know it could be a kilo! No, no dear Santiago!
I am actually packed, despite my whining. And I have done a practice hike with Ronald, a dear Camino friend here in Edmonton. It went very well and was most encouraging. We did have to tiptoe across the ice in many places, this will make the Camino trail feel like a breeze!
A luxury item I am taking is a small, travel water-colour paint box. It is small but not totally light. With it, I have one drawing pen, one pencil, and one paintbrush. So, let’s hope I will be posting artsy bits and pieces when I get back.
