Emia
Member
"Only" twentyfive weeks to go and step by step we are getting ready for takeoff.
Last year I walked from Pamplona to León and then took the train to SdC. Being the most important items, I immediately collected our credenciales and shells at the pilgrims' office
My colleague and I had some meetings with our headmanager, and he is very enthousiastic and supportive about the idea. He promised us his full assistance. Our institution is willing to pay the costs of our flights; several huge campaigns were started to collect donations for our participants' gear; other coworkers are donating spare coins for "luxury" like the occasional use of a washing machine and dryer, or a sundae for all after a very long day... We are still on a very tight budget regarding lodging and food, but it's doable.
One point of concern is the general state of the participants. I'm not really concerned about their walking condition - while walking they will build up strength; we are starting with 3 days of 10 (Porto - Matosinhos), 11 (Matosinhos - Lavra) and 13 (Lavra - Vila do Conde) kilometers, and towards the end of the Camino they all should be able to do two dayhikes of 20 km. But we'll have to deal with anorexia, aggression towards themselves (cutting and carving), reluctance of showering, huge feelings of inferiority, transgender issues, extreme hypochondria and the stubbornness of a 3 years old toddler (who is in fact 19 years old).
And the idea of sharing a mixed dorm (and bathroom!) is also freaking them out. I made as much reservations as possible (either in an 8-bed dorm or in 4 double rooms), but on 2 or 3 occasions we will have to stay in an albergue municipal because there is no affordable alternative.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, sweating and cursing: "Dear God, why me? Why do you want me to go on the Camino with 1 completely inexperienced colleague and 6 very special people?" Apart from all other issues, I will have to teach them how to pee and to shit in the woods. And that's only the beginning....
Is this a burden? Is this a gift? Only time will tell
Last year I walked from Pamplona to León and then took the train to SdC. Being the most important items, I immediately collected our credenciales and shells at the pilgrims' office
My colleague and I had some meetings with our headmanager, and he is very enthousiastic and supportive about the idea. He promised us his full assistance. Our institution is willing to pay the costs of our flights; several huge campaigns were started to collect donations for our participants' gear; other coworkers are donating spare coins for "luxury" like the occasional use of a washing machine and dryer, or a sundae for all after a very long day... We are still on a very tight budget regarding lodging and food, but it's doable.
One point of concern is the general state of the participants. I'm not really concerned about their walking condition - while walking they will build up strength; we are starting with 3 days of 10 (Porto - Matosinhos), 11 (Matosinhos - Lavra) and 13 (Lavra - Vila do Conde) kilometers, and towards the end of the Camino they all should be able to do two dayhikes of 20 km. But we'll have to deal with anorexia, aggression towards themselves (cutting and carving), reluctance of showering, huge feelings of inferiority, transgender issues, extreme hypochondria and the stubbornness of a 3 years old toddler (who is in fact 19 years old).
And the idea of sharing a mixed dorm (and bathroom!) is also freaking them out. I made as much reservations as possible (either in an 8-bed dorm or in 4 double rooms), but on 2 or 3 occasions we will have to stay in an albergue municipal because there is no affordable alternative.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, sweating and cursing: "Dear God, why me? Why do you want me to go on the Camino with 1 completely inexperienced colleague and 6 very special people?" Apart from all other issues, I will have to teach them how to pee and to shit in the woods. And that's only the beginning....
Is this a burden? Is this a gift? Only time will tell
Of course our participants (only when over 18!) and my cohort can enjoy an occasional beer or red wine, but since I'm the only one who speaks a mouthful of Spanish and English, it's going to be me who'll has to deal with emerging problems - so I'd better stay sober at all times, just in case.
