A Video for Wayne and Kenwood Church (from May 25, 2014)

On May 28, 2014, our church family was blessed to receive 

this video from Sidney while on the El Camino.

One Does Not Conquer the El Camino (from May 28, 2014)

Today was a really tough day. We walked 16.3 miles in 

the rain all the time slipping around in the mud. 

The woods were dark and scary. See for 

Yourself. 

Made my hair stand on end.

Here is the elevation at the "scary things in the woods."  Our legs 

knew it too. Will both take ibuprofen. 

This speaks for itself. Just a day in the life of the 

El Camino. 

What I have learned for sure... One does not 

conquer the El Camino... She always wins. 

I have spoken of the difficulty of today's 

walk.  It was humbling.  I

am reminded of God telling Joshua that his 

army was too large.  The battle is mine.  God

wanted Joshua to understand that he could

not win the battle. He must look to God

and know the victory was His. That is the 

same with the Camino. If you fight it and

Think you are it's Master you will soon be

humbled. One must let the Camino set the

Pace. 

Love, Sidney

The Devil Has Many Faces (from May 26, 2014)

THE DEVIL HAS MANY FACES

The Camino story I am about to tell you was a great reminder to me.  We had made it to the sleepy little village of Zariquiegui, hungry and haggard. The guide book said there were no Albergues, bars or stores here.  I began to panic and dreaded a repeat of Roncevalles where I had collapsed because I had not taken in enough carbs or protein to power me over the hills and down the steep inclines.

(Elevation of Hill of Perdon)

We were facing "The Hill Of Perdon" (The Hill Of Forgiveness) with our  fuel  tanks on E-M-P-T-Y. But when we turned into the little village there was a new, small Albergue, a Bar and a store.  Halleluyer!!!  I was saved!

  

(Maria and Alexa who stayed with me)

We ran into Maria and Alexa who stayed with me when I collapsed. We keep running into each other.

Izabela and I headed for the Bar to load up on sandwiches, fruit and water. Now comes the story...  When I was a child there was a popular song called, "The Devil With The Blue Dress On."   In this case, it was "The Devil With The Blue BLOUSE On," and her name was Stella. Stella was all smiles, bubbly noises and jumping with enthusiasm. She came right over and sat with us, gushing out more information than we knew what to do with. She had bleeding blisters and other gross stuff... And she just couldn't climb that Hill! She was going to have to take a taxi to the next village. Then she looked at my knee brace and exclaimed in the time of a speeding bullet , "You can't go either!!! You mustn't try to Climb the Hill Of Forgiveness. You'll never make it with your knee. And even if you did, you'd never make it back down the other side because the incline is impossible!!!"  As Stella went on and on, I felt doubt and fear creep in. Maybe I couldn't make it.  My knee was hurting... My backpack was heavy... And I was exhausted. Whoa!!! That isn't my normal way to face things. Athletic friends had told me before I left that the Battle of the Camino is Won or Lost in our head rather than in "the field."  I stopped and thought, would God be the messenger of fear and doubt?  Of course not. Stella was that energy within ourselves that allows a darkness to take hold and spring to life. We left Stella behind and started our climb. I decided to use the Hill for the purpose it was intended and started asking God to forgive me for ways I have unintentionally hurt my dear husband Wayne; for my ignorance in raising CJ, Jerry and Brett and hurts I had caused them; for hurting my siblings; slights to my friends.... The hill was tough... It took all the wind out of my sails and left me weak and limp... But, before I knew it, we were at the top!  My heart opened up; I felt pure and truly forgiven.

(Sidney with metal Pilgrims)

On top are metal figures if Pilgrims struggling against the obstacles. Obstacles aren't always The Hill," they can be the Stella's of the world who do not want to fail alone. I committed to make my decisions from my own experience and not based on someone else's fears.   Izabela and I went over to the edge to check out the descent. Gulp... It was pretty vertical... But we reminded each other we had been blessed by my church Family and they were praying for us... we would just have let their prayers help us make that descent.
 
So, my lessons were clear... Don't let someone else's fear and doubt make my decisions.... And since I believe in the power of prayer, I TRUST that the prayers of others will sustain me.

LIONEL IN THE GIGGLE WEEDS

We have met so many wonderful and exciting people on the Camino. They represent many countries: England, France, Spain, New Zealand, Lithuania, Germany, Australia, Korea, Poland, Texas, Ireland, China, Scotland, El Salvador, Japan, Senegal and others. There are quite a few Australians walking "The Way."

(Lionel and Family)

Lionel, his wife Joy and daughters Belinda and Jessica are doing this as a family (though there are 5 more children who couldn't come). I believe Lionel is at least 6'5" tall and Joy is about 5'2" short. He did the old "collapse almost in view of Roncevalles" like I did. He told Joy, "I don't feel so good love, I better sit down."  Next thing Lionel knew he was on the ground unable to hold himself up. On the Camino, the custom when you pass another Pilgrim is to say, "Bueno Camino."  So there he lay, all 6'5" of him and little Joy couldn't help him up.  She ran for help. While he lay there in the "giggle weeds" pilgrims passed by, looked down at him and said "Bueno Camino!"  Lionel tried to move his mouth to respond but he just didn't have the strength to get the words out. He then decided he should at least get out of his backpack instead of laying there with his legs partly in the air like a helpless turtle. Lionel wiggled out of the pack. He said, "I got me self out of that pack and tried to get me self up on a stump so I could at least sit up. Then I could sort of move my mouth when the other Pilgrims wished me 'Bueno Camino,' and not be so rude saying nothing."
Well, at least the Pilgrims are friendly.

THE TEENY TINY TUB AND THE MONK'S PRISON

just to let you experience some of our conditions, I chose just a couple of our sleeping places to share with you.

All the Albergues were full... There was no room at the Inn in Puente La Riena. We were in big trouble. Our feet hurt, our legs hurt, our hair hurt... And we couldn't find a bed. We walked on into town and finally found a really small hotel/Restaurant that had one room left up some windy stairs. It was close quarters, but it was a bed and it was clean. Then we looked into the bathroom. That was the teensiest, tiniest little bathtub I ever saw.

(Teeny, Tiny Tub)

It had a shower head so I settled on a shower. BUT MY FEET WERE STILL BARKING. Then I got to thinking. I could just scrunch up, ease down into that tiny tub and soak something. So I got down. Big Mistake!  I couldn't get back up and I wasn't about to call Izabela and let her find out I had done such a thing. So I sat there several minutes trying to solve a new problem with old answers. Usually, I can roll over on my knees to get out of my bathtub.  But, NOOOOO!!  Not with this one. There was no room for turning. I was STUCK. I contemplated the situation and knew I had to work fast because Izabela was going to suspect something if I didn't come out soon. Finally, I used my elbows to inch my way up, then slid my back end on the tiny lip of the tiny tub til my legs could get under me. And I casually walked out and told her it was her turn. She never suspected anything.

Now the next one was scary. We were in Azofra, and there was only one Albergue in town. We got there late because of my slow walking with my bum knee and the main building was "complete" as they like to say.  The little gal walked us around to the "overflow" building. I'm already getting anxious.

She took us down a long hall and opened the door to an 8 X 12 foot room. There were 4 beds and a 1 X 1 foot window and a solid door. My heart began to race. Did I tell you I am ever so slightly claustrophobic?  There were going to be 4 people in this old Monks cell. OMGoodness!  I frantically weighed my options... Sleeping outside in the pouring rain; sleeping in an unoccupied shower; suicide; or maybe insisting on keeping the door open all night. At least I was by the door. If I had been in the back no telling what would have happened. As you might guess, I hid my head under the covers, slept like a teenager and jumped at the first peep of the alarm.  That was a close one.  Normal Albergue offers a bed with one sheet and a pillow with a community bath (truly).

THE GALLANT YOUNG SPANIARD

Let me tell you about the day we were struggling to get to Viana. The sun was beating down on us and even the insects took cover. It was a long day of walking with the "forever UPS and DOWNS."  I was planning how to make it across this field... Setting small goals to reach the top of a hill or reach the next tree... I was thirsty, but would have to take my backpack off to get to my water and I wasn't sure I'd have the strength to lift it up to put it back on. So, I just continued to drag one foot in front of the other.

(Sidney by hwy)

I approached a rather busy highway when suddenly out of nowhere a young and gallant Spaniard roared up and handed me something that glistened in the sun.  He was so handsome, and with a mysterious smile reared back on his great white horse and thundered off as quickly as he had appeared.  Izabela had stopped and watched the whole thing and I said, "Did you see that?  Did you see the big white horse??"  She said, "wall (she says well like wall)  I saw it.  But that wasn't a horse, it was a white motorcycle."  I said, "But the gallant young Spaniard gave me this thing that glittered in the the sun."  She looked at it and said, "that is a business card for La Villana Restaurant and it says 'the best Peregrinos meal in town.' And tomorrow you must drink more water."  Snatched dream right out of a poor old woman's head....  Just to let you know, we did find the La Villana in Viana and went there for dinner. My gallant young Spaniard was lying on the sofa. When he roared off, a bee got under his helmet and bit him next to his eye. Just to think, he did all that for me.  BTW, it was really good food.

(Gallant Spaniard)

 A CROSS IN THE FENCE ON THE CAMINO

I've always wanted to say this... "On the way to Azofra, Spain one day..."  There I said it and it is true...  On the way to Azofra, there is a fence that runs along the highway for over a mile.  The thing that is different about this particular chain link fence is all the hand made crosses that Pilgrims have made from twigs, rope, pieces of plastic or whatever they can find and woven them into the fence.  At first it is just something nice to look at. But the further you walk,  you realize this is sacred space, and you feel the hope, the pain, the desire, the regret in all those rough little crosses. It is really a "Fence of Prayers" left there in the form of a cross made with care and love by a Pilgrim. Each one stands out as a magnificent thing of beauty. I had two deeply painful worries for family members who were in need of prayers. 

One was my brother Troy who had an issue with his heart. I was very afraid for him because we aren't spring chickens like we used to be. So I carefully made a cross and prayed while I wove it into the fence. Then I walked for a little while specifically praying for God's angels to look over him and carry him through a successful procedure. 

(Making Troy a cross)

After a few moments I concentrated on my great-granddaughter Leeiagh. At 9 years old she had a brain tumor and had to be operated on. Though it went pretty good, there have been a few complications, so she (as are my three beloved children) has been in my nightly prayers for some time. It was a great pleasure to also make little Leeiagh a cross and leave it on the El Camino for other Pilgrims to witness and perhaps add a prayer too. So a cross is woven in that chain link fence for Troy and Leeiagh and it will be there for a long time.  How peaceful it is to be able to "make a prayer" for a loved one and ask God's protection, healing and love for them. It made my heart full.

THE TOUGH WAITRESS WHO CRIED

We found this little place to eat called Virginia's bar and they served  Peregrines. Three Pilgrims coming out laughing and happy told us it had great food. Izabela and I went up to the bar to see all the surprises under the glass and this tough little waitress who spoke no more English than we spoke Spanish "acted out" what the food was. It was like charades. We finally got it that the one we thought to get was octopus.  We said No, No!  She said, Bueno, Bueno!  We ended up with ensalad and a stew kind of thing with potatoes in it. Then we had an exquisite fruit dish - strawberries, kiwi, bananas covered with cream with drizzles of chocolate caressing all of it.  Yum, Yum. We asked, "Quanta este?"  And she told Izabela that I was a strong woman to be doing the Camino at my age. I had to smile. She showed her muscles again.

(Card on backpack)

Then she saw the card on our backpacks and I said, "para Ninos."  (For the children).  She understood... tears shot to her eyes and she started petting my arm and saying something in sweet, endearing terms.  Though neither of us could understand each other's language, we understood each other's heart. This stranger in a foreign land reached in, and for such a brief encounter really touched me deeply.

THE CHICKEN BLESSING

(Cathedral in Santo Domingo)

There is a legend that says that in the Middle Ages a handsome young man, Hugonell, went on Pilgrimage with his German parents. When they came into Santo Domingo, the Inn Keeper's daughter fell in love with Hugonell. He did not respond to her advances and angered, she put a silver cup in his bag and accused him of stealing. He was sentenced to the gallows and was hanged...BUT, miraculously Hugo did not die though he hung there for a very long time. His parents went to the mayor and said, "Our Hugo is alive, and we want him cut down."  The Mayor who was about to eat roasted chicken, said,"That boy is as alive as these roasted chickens we are about to eat," and suddenly the chickens jumped up, grew feathers and beaks and began to crow.

(Sidney Chicken Pilgrim)

To this day, Pilgrims come into the Church hoping to hear the chicken crow so they can receive the "chicken blessing." So, here Izabela and I sit in de Santo Domingo De La Calzada waiting for that placid, mute chicken to crow so we can get our chicken blessing.

(Rooster & Hen in Cathedral)

If that darn thing doesn't crow soon, we'll have to go without our blessing, as we are very sleepy and tired.

We continue on our journey and will update you soon.

El Camino Trail Tales (from May 27, 2014)

I thought you might like to "see"'Spain through our eyes as we walked. I call it Our Zen Of Walking. Because we can't go as fast as a car, we truly get to experience the charm and beauty of life in Spain. The fields are verdant and manicured. It is as if all the farmers got together to make sure everything looked good and was well behaved. The vineyards are lush with the promise of plump, succulent grapes for the harvest. The hills and mountains in the distance look innocent and peaceful when we don't have to climb them. Occasionally we pass by fields of brilliant, red poppies, accented with little yellow and purple flowers trying to get their share of attention. Then we walk through the medieval towns that haven't changed much in hundreds of years. It pulls together as a picture one would only see in fairyland. Enjoy the landscapes and village photos below.

The Pilgrim Izabela contemplating 

Leaving this ancient city in the rain. 

God has been good. Only a few 

times have we had to walk in the

rain. 

We have to wash out the few clothes we have nightly. Rarely

Do they dry, so we rigged up our

own system. 

A cross left as a prayer for my

great-granddaughter Leeiagh

to get good reports on MRI

for brain tumor operation. 

Today was a leisurely walk of 15 miles because there were no drastic up or down hills. We got such a pleasant surprise when we were leaving Santa Domingo this morning. Dan Johansen, an extraordinary cello player wanted to do something different with nature and his cello, so he decided to walk the El Camino with his cello on his back. Then he stops every few towns and plays in the local cathedral. He has a ten man crew of professional friends and friends of friends following to help document his experience. Dan teaches cello and Chamber Music at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. He wanted to interview us. But his sound equipment wouldn't work.  We want to catch his concert in the San Juan Ortega Cathedral. It is a small, little town with one Albergue, one bar and the one Cathedral. The Cathedral is important.  Many hundreds of years ago, Queen Izabella was barren and came to San Juan Ortega to pray.  Her prayers were answered and she conceived.  Out of gratitude she poured money into this Cathedral.  So, how could we miss it with all that importance.

May God bless and keep you.

Love, Sidney/Mom/Grandma

Dan Johansen, Cello player

Extraordinaire. Dan is walking 

the El Camino carrying his

Cello on his back. 

Dan tried to interview me for walking the El Camino for the 

Hope of our little Venda children. 

BEAUTIFUL BUT BRUTAL! (from 5/19/14)

(Planes, Trains, and Buses).  

We left with such excitement as if marching off to conquer something. Two days, a plane, train and bus later, we arrived in St. Jean Pied De Porte, the French side of the Pyrenees.  Izabela and I went immediately to the Pilgrim's Office to get our Pilgrim's Passport and shell to tie on our backpack.

We were now officially Le Peregrinos.  Our Passports  were to be stamped at each Alburgue or bar to prove we had actually  walked to get there.  The shell, now tied to our backpack  along with the card of our Venda children stating "500 Miles, Two Women and One Cause," proclaimed our sacred journey.  It took me forever to choose just the right shell.  Our Alburgue (pronounced:  Al-bur- gay) Keeper cheerfully stamped our passport.  Now it was REAL.... Izabela and I were REALLY Pilgrims.  There were only 8 in our room so we slept pretty good.  Our day pushed off with a lot of "Texas Bravado."  The Pyrenees swelled with beauty and charm.

(A shot from above of two Pilgrims walking in the Pyrenees). 

As we assaulted the Pyrenees, we encountered sheep, peaceful in a field, or well fed cows laying quietly on the lush morning grass...

Then the magical horses...the WILD horses stood as proud Guards to an unseen heaven... The foals danced around their moms teasing for a snack of milk and love. This idyllic Disney scene tricked me into believing the steep ascension would be a "walk in the park."

(Pilgrim Moon Pie Party) 

 Needing a little " pick me up," I invited several Pilgrims to join us in a Moon Pie Party in the Pyrenees.  Jack Hurly, owner of Jack's Cosmic Dog in Mount Pleasant, SC provided me with loads of Moon Pies. Since every ounce counts, I figured the party would take the weight off my back while making many Pilgrims happy. A fascinating phenomenon happens -'we become like family. There are Pilgrims from all over the world and we are immediately bonded by this common experience. ..to find what we need to find about ourselves and our lives... And we are doing it as One.

Lurking in the background is the thinning air and constant upward march met by the grisly slope downward.  Each step began to be a chore.  The "Texas Bravado" was waning,  cracks were rupturing my little happy bubble of "the little red engine that thinks she can."

(High Point, 14,249 meters)

Izabela and I made it to the High Point (14,249 meters-which isn't all THAT high). Oh, and did I mention that this Bravado Texan was slowing the little Polish Pixie named Izabela down significantly?  Well, I was.  We made it up there through the Forrest's and mountain meadows that were dotted with little Spanish villages. Such was the haunting beauty enticing me forward only to be swallowed up by fatigue and heartbreak of the vicious downward descent.  Though I had thoroughly trained, nothing prepared me for the awesome power of the Pyrenees to humble any measure of pride. It is said, "You cannot take this mountain   So let the mountain speak to you... Climb as the mountain wants you to."  The unpredictable weather has claimed many Pilgrims who were caught in its icy merciless grip. We witnessed the markers silently proclaiming that this Pilgrim had once lived with love and intensity. One older couple got caught on top of the mountain yesterday and had to seek refuge in a shelter. Though the cold tried to drag them into its icy pit, they were not yet ready to give up and they wearily walked out the next morning.

But let's get back to the other side of the mountain....

The descent through Forrest and rock laden path was brutal.

(Izabela coming downhill). 

I regretted not having eaten enough protein and my fuel tank was running on empty. First, I felt my legs begin to tremble and weaken, but I pushed on.  My pace significantly decreased until I became like that show "The living dead" but I wasn't acting. My progress could be measured in inches.  The mountain had overpowered me. Izabela kept asking me, "please let me help you."  (We both had on backpacks).  And I said, "No, you must not also become injured or we will be in bad trouble."  We had no idea how far we had go to reach Roncevalles, our destination.  I inched forward at snails pace through sheer will. Finally, Izabela insisted on me leaning on her ( 5'6" Pixie).  Then at one point the mountain won and I told Izabela, "I am going down."  I collapsed only one kilometer from our goal. Izabela went into "Killer Mode," wanted to pick me up (can you see us?) and I said, "Just let me lie on the path a moment then I can crawl to a place I can sit up."  She quickly got out my blanket and sleeping bag to use as a pillow and set my water next to me. Just before she left to get help, 2 other pilgrims, Marie and Alexa from Australia rushed over and sat with me. Izabela, with pack on her bag RAN while calling their SOS number. An emergency vehicle was dispatched, and she RAN back. She told Marie and Alexa they should go on ahead so they did not miss getting their bed for the night.

(Jamie helping to the Land Rover)

The red Land Rover rolled in within minutes and 3 strong, handsome, young firemen jumped out. Jamie (pronounced Hy-mie) hastily questioned me about medical conditions and if I needed to go to hospital. I said, "No, I really just need a hamburger."  He pulled me up and helped me to the vehicle. Then he started to pick me up to put me in the Land Rover and I was saying, "No, No, No!!  But gallant Jamie swooped me up, he buckled and dropped me on the floor board.  I heard him gasp, "big woman!"  I started laughing hysterically. He felt vanquished because he didn't get to swoop the charming maiden into the red carriage. I was laughing so hard he began to laugh too. We pulled up to the Alburgue

(medieval hospital) 

where a volunteer strapped on my backpack. Jamie was telling me they (fire department) routinely rescue 3 to 4 people every day on this stretch of the El Camino. 2 of the 3 heroes graciously posed for our photo and they galloped off into the sunset (didn't they? It appeared so). Another volunteer took our back packs to the assigned beds.
 
Still another volunteer said we must eat before the last restaurant closed and escorted us there. Izabela and I were not familiar with the Pilgrims Dinner so we ordered it. The waitress brought us a drink and HUGE bowl of spaghetti .  Thinking that was all we were getting, we plowed into it like "two work horses and a hog."  The waitress tried to take the NOT empty bowl away and we latched onto it like desperate sailors while she frantically tried to tell us something. We won though and ate it down to the last quavering string. Then the waitress brought it in.... Two plates, each with a whole fish and a heap if potatoes.  OMGoodness... Our pouches were full... There was NO room in the tummy... We asked her to take it away, assuming we wouldn't have to pay for what we didn't eat. Next was the dessert which we inhaled and asked for our teeny tiny check. WELL!  That was a shocker. Walking outside full and semi-happy, we found another volunteer who had waited for us through our whole meal to escort us back to the Alburgue.

(inside the medieval hospital)  

There were 120 (60 bunk beds) in one giant room.  The beds had sheets and a pillow - I'm in Heaven. The volunteer told us to go to bed, lights go out at 10:00 pm no matter what). Izabela begged like a pathetic waif for us to shower and the big guy caved.   We had started our El Camino Journey!!!

(Santiago De Compostela 790).

15.6 miles down... Only 484.4 miles to go!

Tales on the El Camino Trail 3 (from 5/14/14)

Dear Friends and Loved Ones

May 14, 2014 will probably be here before I finish typing this Update, but I wanted to share something very special and intimate with you.  For the last two weeks In my daily prayers, I have asked repeatedly for God to give me a Spiritual experience on the trail to bring me into His presence. I wanted to walk closer with Him. Each day, I repeated this request.  The sense that something powerful was going to happen moved like a shadow around me.  I invited Izabela (my El Camino trail Buddy) to our Church to be blessed with me for our Pilgrimage. A lot of my precious family and friends came to be with me in this special moment.

Our leaders were prepared for this. Izabela and I wore our trail clothes and hiking boots, brought our fully packed (overweight) backpacks, walking staffs, and hats. At the appropriate time, our Minister Todd Lackie, called us up front and men helped us into our backpacks. The Elders (leaders in the Kenwood Church), with Todd, encircled us and laid their Hands on us as each man individually prayed for our safety, our health, and that we be blessed with strength and courage to finish. These humble men of God prayed with sincerity and with the belief that their prayers would be heard and answered. They asked that we be watched over and kept out of harm. And they prayed from their heart with that guileless faith. By this time Izabela and I were moved to tears. Then Todd announced to the congregation they could come up and bless us too. I asked them to touch us so we could carry their imprints as a prayer on the trail. My body, mind and heart began to hum with a gentle vibration. As each person came and touched us with love, they blessed us.  It was a moment of purity and unguarded love.  I could see it reflected in the eyes of my family, friends and my Church family. It was if there were a direct connection to God. For those brief moments, the love was unconditional without asking anything in return. A sense of total acceptance and security washed over me. It was incredible, as if I were weightless and navigating through life in a perfect "flow." One little 86 year young lady who suffers from arthritis, bent down and said, "I want to bless your precious feet."  She knew the constant pain I had been struggling with in my feet. I was humbled beyond description as she painstakingly got to her feet after her blessing. Each person took these sweet moments seriously and gave soulfully. As we walked away, it hit me... This WAS that powerful experience I had asked for on the trail. This gift came to me right here in my home town.

They say everyone "hits their wall" on the El Camino... Everyone is reduced to tears on the El Camino because of the  brutal demands of the Trail. I expect to "hit my wall."  I suspect there will come that awful moment when I don't think I can take another step. Then as I am driven to my knees, I have this beautiful picture of all the loving people who blessed me and prayed for my courage and strength.  I have that incredible body memory of my heart vibrating and know this God sent energy will move me to my feet and on down the trail.

I like to think this experience will give me that ounce of energy it takes for me to keep going. To believe I CAN take that step that feels impossible. As a psychologist, I know that if we have experienced a feeling once we can bring that feeling back and experience it again. I suspect there are more exciting revelations waiting for me on El Camino. I will get back with you on them. Meanwhile, please keep Izabela and me  in your hearts and prayers. I am one of those people who believes there is great power in prayer and that all I have to do is ask and I will be sustained.

Well, as my brother Troy said, we only have 1,665,000 more steps to go... Smile....

From my heart to yours, Sidney/Mom/Grandma

Trail Tales of the El Camino Edition 2 (from 5/10/14)

Dear Friends and Loved Ones:

Well, here we are 5 days before departure and things are getting dicey.  Below is what Izabela, my walking Buddy sent to her contacts and to avoid reinventing the wheel, I am sending 

it to you as well.  Then the "rest of the story...."  Izabela is a world competitive, professional dancer just to orient you to her opening comments.

Izabela says:

While some of my friends are packing for Blackpool, the most glamorous dance competition in the world, I am packing for the humblest hike of my life! Up to now, I only knew how to pack suitcases filled with evening gowns, but now, I am puzzling over the weight of my backpack. Everything adds up quickly and even the thought of giving up my beloved Chanel mascara is tough!

 

As I worry about that, let me tell you about our route on the Camino de Santiago. Our journey starts Wednesday, May 14, with a Delta flight to Paris. Then, it's off to southern France by train. In St. Jean Pied de Port, we will receive our pilgrim passports.  On Friday, my friend Sidney Bonvallet and I will start our hike on the French part of the trail called the Camino Francés. Our 500-mile hike will lead us through four different regions of Spain.

 

·      First is the most grueling trek, over the Pyrenees Mountains and into Navarra. 

·      Next is La Rioja, a region of rich vineyards that produce the area's famous wine. 

·      The most challenging segment is called the Meseta. This never-ending landscape of wheat crops is said to remove all external distraction and to leave     pilgrims with nothing but their own thoughts.

·      The last region, Galicia, will provide a glorious sight of rolling hills and lush forests – a nice welcome into Santiago de Compostela, our goal!

 

All along the Camino de Santiago are special hostels called Albergues, where Sidney and I will have our Pilgrim passports stamped and make stops for the nights, sometimes with 100 other pilgrims in one room! Our journey will end on June 24, at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

To do something that I have never done is scary but also exhilarating. I am ready for the challenge and happy to share our experiences with you. Check our Facebook page, “Walk for Hope of Children,” for more stories and pictures.

 Now, it's time to finish my packing! Hmmm, that mascara is only 22 grams…

 

Adios mis amigos!

Izabela

"NOW, FOR THE REST OF THE STORY...."

Wayne weighed and weighed my backpack, but the dial stubbornly would not move!  It is 4 pounds overweight and it is somebody's fault.

Guess if I want that scale to change, something will have to go.  Understand, everything we will need for 40 days is on our back.  What could

I possibly live without.  Well... per my new friend Pat, I must empty out the whole backpack and pick up each item one by one, and say out

loud, "Is this absolutely essential, or is it my FEAR?"  Since in that moment I felt "fearless," I figured this would be a piece of cake.  So, I picked

up my socks - definitely Essential right?  Yeah, but 6 pairs?  3 pairs had to go.  Pants... 3 pairs went down to 2 pairs... 3 shirts instead of 5.  Now

I'm really panicking.  But I had not counted on putting back in my tiny (little, very small) camera and charger, so all that loss was 

swallowed up right before my very eyes.  But let's keep going... I finally connected with the genius of the exercise, and thought only SURVIVAL.

Under Wayne's watchful and sympathetic eye I agonizingly discorded one thing after another until I had unloaded 2 1/2 pounds of FEAR.  Yes,

fear... Fear that if I didn't have a BIG tube of toothpaste, I would lose my teeth... Fear that without cologne, I couldn't be a girl... Fear that if

I didn't have the super duper Swiss Army Knife complete with corkscrew, toothpick and fingernail file on it, my life would be over... It was quite

an exercise and I finally ALMOST met my goal.  I COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT give up the 12 Moon Pies that Jack's Cosmic Dog gave me

for the trail.  That was asking too much.  Don't worry, I won't carry that box of Moon Pies until I personally eat them all one by one.  I will sit

down on that trail at my first rest stop, wait for other Pilgrims to show up, and we will have the best "Moon Pie Party" you ever heard of. (Thank 

you Dave and Jack)!

THEN, my pack will be perfect and my greatest fears will subside (that I am never going to get to eat again).

Oh, I must make one other very small confession.  I bought this really "cool," high tech, almost weightless hat.  

My trademark on any of my far out adventures is my hat with 12 "worry dolls" around the band.  There is one for each month, they do all the 

worrying so you I don't have to worry about anything.  I had these beautiful worry dolls the Venda people made out of metal and beads.  

And, I sewed 12 on my high tech, used to be weightless hat.  Well, I'm wearing it on my head, right?  So that doesn't count.

In starting this magnificent adventure, I have thought about WHY? for some time.  Why am I doing this?  For me, it will be a personally enlightening 

spiritual pilgrimage, and to help our precious children in the Venda Villages with all the funds raised.  So many of you were so generous and gave from 

your heart.  I am still touched by the response to my little card asking for your help.  Because of you, a significant transformation will occur for so 

many in the villages.  For now, this seems to be my WHY?  But, I will remain open in case my God has plans I hadn't thought of yet.  

Walking 15 - 17 miles a day for 36 days just might bring out something that had not been revealed to me yet.  I am exhilarated by the possibilities.  

Please keep Izabela and I in your prayers for safety, protection and courage.  I will try to publish one more edition before we leave Wednesday.

Love,  Sidney

Sidney's Tales from the El Camino (from 5/6/14)

TALES FROM THE EL CAMINO TRAIL - 1st of SIDNEY’S 500 MILE UPDATE

Most of you have heard Izabela and I are leaving May 14, 2014 for France to trek across the French and Spanish Pyrenees then walk across Spain for 500 Miles. It is true and many of you have supported our Charity Work with the children in South Africa  as a result of this walk.  I will be doing updates about every week to 1 1/2 weeks to keep you posted about the tales on the trail.  If you prefer not to get the updates please send me an email before I leave so we can take your name off the list - no hard feelings. Since I am not a “tecky,” I won’t know how to do this on the trail.

So!  This is the first pre-trail tale.... A dear lady, Pat Peck, did the trail last year.  She was 70 years young and made the 500 Mile distance, so I am inspired.  Pat offered to talk with us and give us some hints and tricks of the trail.  The two biggest complaints on the trail are the snoring when you are in a room with 50 other pilgrims; and blisters.  The “Maxi-Pad” trick was especially interesting to me.  Apparently, you get a container of Maxi-Pads (I’m nearly 74, so this hasn’t been on my shopping list for some time).  Pat said to put the pad on my orthopedic insole in my boots, and wrap the “wings” around the insole to hold it in place and it offers a wicking effect to help keep feet dry and prevent blisters and it also gives extra padding.  Which is important on a 15 mile a day walk.

As I was walking, I got to worrying about the “Maxi,” thinking maybe I shouldn’t have

stuck the WHOLE thing down, because Pat just mentioned sticking the “wings” down.

What if it stuck so hard, it wouldn’t come off?  At 7.5 miles, I was so worried, I had to look.  Sure enough, it was S-T-U-C-K!  I was in Burger King and first tried to pry it off with one of those little plastic knives.  It wouldn’t budge.  Now, I’m really fretting.  Do I go to the pharmacist and show him the Maxi-Pad clad to my orthopedic insole and ask for help?  I was horrified at what he/she might think....

and could just hear them saying very loudly, “Lady, that is NOT how you wear a Maxi Pad.  You don’t walk on them, you sit on them.”  My life was over.  

By now I was at the 12 mile mark and I desperately called  Wayne.  He had to meet me on the route while I cried out my dilemma!  Wayne can fix anything... BUT, he said, “I WILL NOT ask ANYBODY how to get a Maxi Pad off of an insole.”  Did I mention how stubborn that man can be at times?  When we got home, my Knight saved me.  He got out his Tool Box and was able to separate the things.  This much I can report...  It did work!! I will walk on the Maxi Pads....     Love, Sidney

TALES FROM THE EL CAMINO TRAIL - 1st of SIDNEY’S 500 MILE UPDATE

Most of you have heard Izabela and I are leaving May 14, 2014 for France to trek across the French and Spanish Pyrenees then walk across Spain for 500 Miles. It is true and many of you have supported our Charity Work with the children in South Africa  as a result of this walk.  I will be doing updates about every week to 1 1/2 weeks to keep you posted about the tales on the trail.  If you prefer not to get the updates please send me an email before I leave so we can take your name off the list - no hard feelings. Since I am not a “tecky,” I won’t know how to do this on the trail.

So!  This is the first pre-trail tale.... A dear lady, Pat Peck, did the trail last year.  She was 70 years young and made the 500 Mile distance, so I am inspired.  Pat offered to talk with us and give us some hints and tricks of the trail.  The two biggest complaints on the trail are the snoring when you are in a room with 50 other pilgrims; and blisters.  The “Maxi-Pad” trick was especially interesting to me.  Apparently, you get a container of Maxi-Pads (I’m nearly 74, so this hasn’t been on my shopping list for some time).  Pat said to put the pad on my orthopedic insole in my boots, and wrap the “wings” around the insole to hold it in place and it offers a wicking effect to help keep feet dry and prevent blisters and it also gives extra padding.  Which is important on a 15 mile a day walk.

As I was walking, I got to worrying about the “Maxi,” thinking maybe I shouldn’t have

stuck the WHOLE thing down, because Pat just mentioned sticking the “wings” down.

What if it stuck so hard, it wouldn’t come off?  At 7.5 miles, I was so worried, I had to look.  Sure enough, it was S-T-U-C-K!  I was in Burger King and first tried to pry it off with one of those little plastic knives.  It wouldn’t budge.  Now, I’m really fretting.  Do I go to the pharmacist and show him the Maxi-Pad clad to my orthopedic insole and ask for help?  I was horrified at what he/she might think....

and could just hear them saying very loudly, “Lady, that is NOT how you wear a Maxi Pad.  You don’t walk on them, you sit on them.”  My life was over.  

By now I was at the 12 mile mark and I desperately called  Wayne.  He had to meet me on the route while I cried out my dilemma!  Wayne can fix anything... BUT, he said, “I WILL NOT ask ANYBODY how to get a Maxi Pad off of an insole.”  Did I mention how stubborn that man can be at times?  When we got home, my Knight saved me.  He got out his Tool Box and was able to separate the things.  This much I can report...  It did work!! I will walk on the Maxi Pads....     Love, Sidney

There are many interesting "Legends" about the El Camino Trail.  I hope to tell you a few before we leave.

There are many interesting "Legends" about the El Camino Trail.  I hope to tell you a few before we leave.