I haven’t written or posted anything in awhile. It’s not because I have nothing to say (that will never happen!) but that I was trying to finish up so much work, socialising and getting ready before I leave that I had no time for anything else.
Taking time to walk the Camino is difficult. It often means you are working time and a half for several months before you leave, and then again when you return. But taking a month, or six weeks, or if you’re lucky 2 months! off is such a wonderful thing to do for yourself. The time to disconnect. The time to say “no” to outside obligations. The time to take for yourself and just *be*. It’s so important and as a society we just don’t do it anymore.
This time I feel so unprepared! I worked up to the last second before I ran out of the door to the car to the airport. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has done this to make it to the Camino. But being so frantic and stressed has defnitely taken its toll. I’ve yelled at friends and family, I’ve yelled at myself. I’ve messed up and made mistakes. I’m sure I’ve forgotten a million things – even though my pack already weighs too much (not by much though!).
So I’m sitting here in the airport waiting for my flight to Biarritz. I’ve got a few hours to kill and I’ve done all the (window) shopping I possibly can in this tiny terminal (2G). My flights – Toronto – Montreal – Paris – Biarritz, and the taxi to StJPP will mean I have spent about 28 hours travelling by the time I arrive. I’ve had almost no sleep, my back aches from shlepping things around and moving and packing before I left home. I am just stressing my little toes off until I get to StJPP.
I know that once I get to the starting line I will be fine, but it sure has been a marathon getting there.