Day 2-Rates to Barcelos or (Barcelinhos)

Day 2 was a bit easier.  It was a relief to have couple of companions and ones as nice as Elke and Antonia.  They were both easy to be with...great conversations and lots of rest in between...it was a hot day!

Day 1 of the Camino-July 1st (Arvore to Rates)

My lovely host, Virginia Zanger, lovingly accompanied me to the train station at 5:30 AM to see me off on the Camino.  It was such a wonderful thing and I am so grateful for Francis and Virginia as they help me be in the right frame of mind to start this journey by offering suggestions that were very practical (like do you have a rope to dry your clothes on? etc...) and also some much needed prayers from both Francis (he is an Anglican priest) and Virginia.  This set the tone for my journey as I started apprehensively towards Santiago.  I wondered about how I was going to do once I left the safety of Virginia's presence that morning-I knew so little Portuguese and what if I would get lost?

I started just a bit south of Porto to avoid walking in heavy traffic by myself.  It turned out to be one of the best decisions as I found out later from people who said that this portion of the camino was fairly dangerous with cars speeding by...I am glad that my "angels" were looking out for me.  My very first day was all by myself until about 2/3 of the way into the walk.  My first companions were Elke and Antonia from Germany.  They were super friendly and it was a welcome companionship after having been on my own for the entire day...once at the albergue (pilgrim's hostel) they really took care of me-specially since I was so tired after we reached Rates and slept for several hours (my allergies were seriously on overdrive and I had to take a benadryl).  They went and shopped for a sweet first meal  and made sure that I had stuff to eat and were very sensitive that I ate no pork!  I was  overwhelmed  by their generosity and friendship.  A good sign of what the future was going to be like...

my first yellow arrow or the "flecha"

the church in Vilarinho where I started with a mass at 7:30 AM...it is where I picked up the trail for the camino...the little old ladies in church were so sweet...made room for me and my backpack!  It was an extremely small church.

I rested here for a while...I was blown away by the beauty of Portugal and it was just the first day!

I sat on a rock just on the right side and took a nap!

Elke and Antonia from Germany 

first meal

Zangers and Porto!

Francis and Virginia

Wednesday, I headed to Porto.  This is where the Zangers-Virginia and Francis live.  Virginia, whom I had never met before, came into my life via an angel (or one of my students) Raphael.  I happened to notice his t-shirt and one thing led to another and I found out that his grandparents (Virginia and Francis) lived currently in Vila Nova de Gaia.  This is the city next to Porto.  I started emailing Virginia about what various details when I was planning my trip and a friendship bloomed!  It turned out that Francis-Virginia's husband is an Anglican priest and that they knew quite a lot about the Camino de Santiago having visited there several months prior. 

They say that in life there are no coincidences-people that you need are put into your path and I believe that Virginia is one of those people I have been searching for.  She is so amazingly kind-she invited a perfect stranger into her home and has for the past two days given me such sweet companionship as she showed me Porto and helped me prepare for the Camino.  I have been thoroughly spoiled by both Francis and Virginia.  It turned out that I had forgotten a few things and everytime I turned around, Francis would pull out of his"magic first aid kit" all the the things such as a little penknife, rope, a thin book for me to read on the road, etc...their generosity astounds me. 

On top of that-I was treated by them to one of my most magical dinners ever.  It was in a 14th century building overlooking the Douro River in Porto.  From our table-we watched the square and the river as dusk turned to night with superb food, fado music drifting from downstairs and even better company.  It is hard to put into words the happiness of the moment.  A joy felt deep into the heart! 

On Thursday, Virginia took me to do a few errands- where I get my credentials as an official Pilgrim.  'We went to Porto and came at a perfect time as  mass was just starting in the Cathedral.  We were able to join it and have communion together.  Another wonderful omen!  I bought my passport
 and we went in search of a shell ato put on my backpack-one of the symbols of the Camino in the heart of Porto. 

The day went by extremely fast-I really thought I would have more time but that was not the case.  Francis, who suffers greatly from a degenerative disc was in tremendous pain and was not able to join us for dinner- a Brazilian restaurant that is one of his favorites.  He valiantly tried but it was apparent that he had really exerted himself the night before. Food in Portugal is beyond superb.  I have yet to have a bad meal!!!  And my newest addiction Vinho Verde-I don't know if I can leave here because it is quite the most refreshing wine and just the right combination during these hot summer days.   I am so glad that I don't have to say good bye to both the Zangers...they have offered to keep house my few things that I really don't feel like is necessary taking on the Camino. I get to come back to this wonderful haven after my walk and get to share it with them! They have spoiled me rotten and honestly-I have enjoyed it:)!!!

I will be starting the Camino in a few hours and am not sure if I will be able to always blog as my computer will not be one of the items coming with me.  I ask that you keep me in your thoughts-my first part should be fairly easy and hopefully I won't get lost.  I heard that they are hills on this route-but will not encounter it for a few days.  Thank you Michelle and Julie for training with me!  Here we go-Bom Caminho...Blessings to all and Peace:)  

Avo Maria in Porto

Porto-the front part of the restaurant overlooking the Douro River

St John the Baptist Statue

Douro River

14th century building

Cathedral

Pilgrim's Passport

My shell

Famous Portuguese Pastries-quite the best thing in the world!

The first Arrow- Bom Caminho!  

More pictures of Lisbon and evening fun

Elevator de Sta Justa-I went arond it and actually reached the top from a beautiful old abandoned convent behind the tower.  It was at this tower that I met up with Sharon and Carrie from Sacramento.  We had been on the same plane from Newark.  They are in Lisbon to do research on horses-both are professors at UC Davis.  I was bummed that I could not tag along and check the Lusitania(sp) horses that they were going to visit and draw blood samples or something like that...all this information was shared over a lovely meal and Vinho Verde-my newest addiction.  Afterwards, we came back to my hostel where they had a wine tasting bar.  It was a fun way to start the vacation!  I hope to meet up with these two ladies stateside!!!

LeeAnn-you have an invitation to visit them (told them all about your passion for horses and how you use to ride. These arereal time vets who do research...they want to meet you!!!!)

the convent

Could not resist! I always pay respect to a man in uniform!

on top of the tower and regardless of my fear of height-I bravely went as close to the edge as I could manage.

 Sharon Spier-one of the vets!

Carrie Finno-the other vet! 

Pictures as Promised!

This is right in front of House of Travellers-Rua de Augusta

A view from the room

In Lisboa!

Bom Dia! 
I can't believe that I am in Lisboa.  Either I am very tired or that it has not sunk in that I am finally here!  It is an absolute gorgeous day.  As soon as I get my stuff situated-I will post pictures.  I promise.  It is a learning curve.  I have decided to go out of my comfort zone and unlike the Africa trip-most of my accomodations will be in hostels. I am in the middle of City Center at Travellers House.  I love the ambience. "Guy"  the official tour guide of the house is very personable and if I was not so overwhelmed, I would be totally amused and asking him tons of questions.  Right now, all that comes to mind is a bit of sleep since it really is the middle of the night for me.

I had a fantastic voyage getting to Lisbon. Seattle to Newark and then Newark to Seattle.  I totally scored a great seat-exit row and reclining.  When the gate agent asked me if that was alright-I could have kissed her!!!!Love it when being on stand by scores you such a terrific seat, tons of leg room (which usually is not a problem for me).  Continental rocks-almost!  I still think that my flight on Emirates was amazing and much of it had to do being with Shari Dixon. 

I have to say that before I left Seattle-I ran into one of my neighbors.  I knew that it was a good omen.  The person behind her then asked me if I was doing the Camino de Santiago-another omen.  I am really looking forward to getting to Porto tomorrow.  Everything from getting my sim card for my phone-which took a while-to getting on the bus (no personal driver meeting me at the gate this time) to finding Travellers House has been easy...Portugal-I am ready to rock and roll!!!!!!!! Pictures next as soon as I get some sleep:)!!!! 

Preparations and other miscellaneous information

Oh my gosh-this has been the hardest trip I have had to pack for.  I know that those of you who hike know this golden rule-that every single thing that you pack is something that has to be essential-otherwise you might be carrying extra weight around.  The same for theCamino.  The recommendation is ideally my pack should be no more than 10% of my weight.  Well, my pack as it stands right now is at 24 lbs! However, before I start my walk, I will be leaving  at least half of that with Virginia and Francis in Porto. More about them later.

Which takes me to really how amazing it has been preparing mentally and physically for this trip.  I have had many people who have helped and encouraged me just when I thought this was beyond me.  A few of them literally strangers yet they  have prayed and given me practical advice as well as words of courage when this idea of walking was really starting to not go away. At work, I also had two wonderful teachers, who graciously invited me to train with them  afterschool.  Michelle Conner and Julie Timm-you rock and thanks for always waiting for me on that mile long hill as I would fall behind. It was sort of comical since they are so much taller than I am and then I had an 18lb bag that I was carrying to boot!  I knew that I had made it one day when I went and ran the course  by myself.  I also was fortunate to have Carl be my technical advisor.   It took me a while to find both the pack(Deuter) and the shoes (Asolos) that I have for this trip.  This is what many people talk about when they say that the Camino starts way before you set one foot on the actual trail.

So this takes me to the question people always ask-What is this Camino de Portugues?  "The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, also known in English as The Way of St James, is a collection of old pilgrimage routes which cover all Europe. They all have Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain as their final destination. For more than 1000 years pilgrims have been walking along the Camino de Santiago."

Well my friends, I leave today!!!!!  I will blog more as I get to Portugal.  Until then....Bom Caminho!