Heading Out

Travel – Day 1

The final prep details are done and I’m at the O’Hare, waiting comfortably. I’ve literally been counting the days for a year through an app on my phone. But, per usual, the last few days are a whirlwind.

Last minute stocking of supplies. Helping my mom work her way through a health scare – grateful for family members to keep an eye on the situation. Walking my son through the intricacies of chicken care. Last minute details to be worked through for my job.

I think subconsciously I stacked the remaining appointments in the last 48 hours just to keep myself distracted.

Getting a haircut, for me, always starts a bit like confession. “Sorry about this – my style’s a mess. It’s been ten weeks since my last haircut.” But it feels like a necessary exchange to preface our session so they have a clue as to how far I consider myself to be from my ideal …as I said, a bit like confession… Pre-Camino I also waved off the hairdryer portion of our exchange. If the haircut requires a 20 minute blow-out to look presentable – it’s not the right haircut for hiking.

Stopped by the chiropractor to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. Also going to put ‘the 3-mile acupuncture point’ to the test in the next few days. There’s a spot just to the outside and lower of the knee that, if stimulated after you reach the point of exhaustion, will supposedly allow you to continue on for three more miles. That’s what I’ve been told. He finds the exact same point every time – so I’m pretty sure he’s not just throwing darts.

A check-in with my counselor to give an update and talk through an assessment of what might be next. All good. A stop by the dermatologist. A check-in at the hearing center – all systems go.

After wrapping up the final things outstanding (that I know of) my work inbox is down to two emails. Two. Mike Wong, my former boss at the pharmaceutical company, would be proud of me. No scrolling! I’m sure it won’t last long.

My dear friend Sue volunteered to give me a lift to the airport. I thought Lufthansa was in the international terminal but found out when I walked in that I needed to go four terminals away. Met and chatted with a lovely couple from LA with a two-month old baby while on the transit. Helped them to the lift after the train. I guess we can only hope they go back to LA and tell folks how friendly midwesterners are. We have a reputation to uphold.

I walked up to the check-in counter at Lufthansa and the three agents in their navy blue uniforms looked up at me and were all shocked. One asked, ‘What – no luggage?’ I smiled and dropped my backpack on their scale – 15 pounds. Really happy with that for five weeks. I’ve gone on trips to visit folks and, when stuffing the bag with presents – it’s hit the scale at 49.5 pounds, just a few ounces shy of the limit. That was with wheels buckling under the strain and then the contents were unloaded and left when I arrived.

For hiking, about 10% of one’s body weight is supposed to be a comfortable pack weight. I may be able to shed even more along the trail – the toiletries will be gradually used, for starters – but it’s far less than I started with on my first Camino.

And seeing the number on the scale reminded me again – a jerry can, when filled with water, weighs forty pounds. And they’re typically carried by women and children. I can’t even imagine.

That’s why we’re here.

https://www.charitywater.org/marilyn-peterson/marilyn-s-camino-for-water

Thank you for joining me.

More later…