Is it Luck???

?Luck of the Irish??

Call it luck, call in fate, call it serendipitous, call it chance, or call it divine intervention. Today, Vic and I had an awesome experience with a group of people that  connected us with, just by chance a group of people also interested in walking the Camino. A man inquired about Vic, at work. By chance that person was told that Vic was preparing for a long walk in Spain. That man contacted Vic and said he was getting group together to talk about the Camino, in Spain. What are the chances????? 

Today that group of 9 people met in a coffee shop. Two of the nine had walked the Camino in September 2012. Others had various levels of commitment to the pilgramage. ALL were very excited to discuss it and share information. The best part was we had this instant bond of friendship, even though we had just met. We all felt it. I wasn't expecting that. But it was awesome.

The 2 that had walked, The Way of Saint James, shared some very important tips.

Some of the tips included;

1. Allow enough time to adjust to jet lag before starting the trek, i.e. take your time. It's a journey, not a destination.
2. Be prepared for blisters, but they can be minimized with good foot care. Including changing your socks twice a day.Using Glide (I don't know what this is though) and stretching.
3. Stretching and warming up before walking is critical. People do get injured and have to stop  or delay their walk.
4.  Lighten your load, then lighten it again. Too much weight is your worst enemy.
5.  Wear sunscreen and a hat. You are unprotected most of the day                         
6.  Take some Starbucks coffee and shop for groceries, to have in case you can't find food in the morning, before starting your trek.
7. There are "Camino moments" along the pilgrimage.  Be open to change, improvisation and events that you would never expect.

I am ready for some time to reflect, and commune with fellow pilgrims, share in random acts of kindness.  It is the draw for many pilgrims, I think, to have this experience and come away feeling better about humanity and possibly yourself. That is not something I encounter each day.
Don't get me wrong. I live a comfortable life, have WONDERFUL friends, family and love the people I work with. But you've got to admit, life is hard, and people are not always kind :(.  And maybe we just are not open to these small acts, in our busy, busy lives?

The group plans to meet again in about a month. Everyone shared in the excitement of a shared goal. We also plan on doing some group hikes together, in preparation. I am so stinking excited about this!

I wish we had time to walk the entire Camino. Work gets in the way of my life!!

"As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you."
~ Mere Christianity CS Lewis