Me and mi mochila

When you read this, I will be in Porto, making my way to my albergue.

 To unpack that sentence: Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and the namesake of Port wine. An albergue is a hostel for pilgrims (definition to come) that has several dorm-style rooms with bunkbeds. A “pilgrim” is, of course, one who makes a journey, often long and difficult, to a special place. Those who walk the various Caminos de Santiago are known as, call themselves, pilgrims.

 So here I am, una peregrina, at the beginning of my second Camino, just me and mi mochila (backpack), wearing my “she believed she could so she did” bracelet, with my Camino waymarker foot tattoo and my tiny shell necklace, ready, maybe, for whatever.

 In fact, as I write this, I am standing at my computer at home in my office, having just returned from my third practice-hike with loaded backpack. When I walked the Camino Francés last fall, I carried—or attempted to carry—a 45L, 23-lb pack. Um, that was a hard no. Emphasis on the hard. This time I have a 32L pack weighing in at 12.5 lbs. and, after three practice-hikes, I am elated and enlightened. (No, not that kind of enlightened. I wish.).

 I will not be writing/posting an essay for the next two Wednesdays. Next Wednesday I will be in Porriño, hopefully blisterless. The Wednesday after that I will be making my way (not on foot!) from Santiago to London. However, do not despair: I will be posting a few images and some brief thoughts every day, as I walk, both on Facebook and Instagram. Perhaps you will follow along. Ultreia.