By the time this is published we’ll be at Malpensa waiting for our Air France flight to Paris; a 4.5 hour layover and then plane ride to Biarittz for an overnighter in Bayonne. It has been well over a decade from when the idea of doing the Camino crossed our minds. Now we’re going to walk it, hopefully all the way to Santiago…bodies willing. After Santiago, who knows, our willing bodies may want to continue on to Finisterre and the Atlantic.
I’ve packed and repacked my backpack to weigh just under 5 kilos, our lodging up to Pamplona has been reserved, and our neighbor said he’ll keep an eye on the place while we’re gone. Tell that to the feral cats! I am sure that the terrace will smell like cat piss when we get back, but if there’s anything to fret about it’s what the yard will look like after several weeks of neglect.
The packing list. With my lousy knee it was essential to travel light, but I’ve always been a pretty modest packer anyway. The following doesn’t include the fanny pack contents of phone, documents, and meds, and of course excludes the hiking outfit that I’ll be wearing on the plane.
30-liter backpack
selfie stick
tablet and keyboard
poncho
inflatable pillow
gloves
knee compression sleeves
day bag
2 spare socks
microfiber underwear (3 panties, 1 bra)
microfiber towel and washcloth
glove scrubbie and shampoo/shower soap bar
walking shorts
2 microfiber tshirts
Compeed, bandages, KT tape
toiletries: pain-relief gel, moisturizer, etc.
headlamp
Teva sandals (for a break from the Merrell boots I’ll be using)
hairbrush, Qtips, minimal makeup!
sleeping sack
rubber slippers for showering
fanny pack
New blog
To document walks/hikes I’m starting fresh with another blog called The Trail Goes Where? This post is already on there, so energy and internet willing, I’ll try to update our daily progress. Bunk beds, shared bathrooms, snoring (mea culpa), pilgrim dinners, second breakfasts, blisters, bed bugs and all, cheer us on as we attempt the French Way.
Rubber Slippers In Italy 