I had a slight panic yesterday as I looked at the calendar and realized my departure day is pretty darn close.  I promptly went on a quick shopping trip to one of my favorite stores REI.  This store is for anyone who likes to be outdoors and offers everything from a carabiner to camping gear to mountain bikes, it is also a place where thousands of dollars can be spent in the blink of an eye.  Fortunately I had a couple of gift cards to use so this was a guilt free shop, my intention was to purchase a quick dry dress, something that I can wear on my trip for times I am not hiking.   Sadly I had left this purchase too late in the season as REI has already transitioned to winter mode with ski jackets and 100% wool sweaters!  I am currently writing this in Carlsbad, Southern California and the temperature is 80 degrees with blue skies so I would like to know who is buying winter gear right now? I ended up purchasing a headlamp, earplugs, pocket laundry soap, pocket body wash, a medical kit and a cutlery set.  I am conscious about the weight of my backpack and trying to purchase only lightweight items but I have found that the lighter the product the higher the price. I am on a tight budget for this trip but luckily I am pretty good at sniffing out a bargain!  The item I am most proud of purchasing for my Camino is a brand new Sea To Summit “Spark” sleeping bag that typically retails for $340 dollars and I paid $120, this sleeping bag weighs 12.8oz and is literally as light as a handful of feathers.   I have a feeling any seasoned Camino hiker reading this is rolling their eyes at the pocket laundry/body wash purchase?! 

I have started to wear my backpack on my morning walks to iron out any kinks and make sure it is going to work for me.  I purchased this backpack with very little research and I went against all advice and did not sample multiple backpacks or get a fitting.   My decision came down to price ($80 on clearance) and the description said it was adjustable.   Two days ago was the first time wearing my backpack on my morning walk and I felt a few sideway glances aimed my way, perhaps there was some speculation that I might be homeless which is a hot topic in Carlsbad!   One lady who I see on a regular basis stopped to ask if I was training for something and after explaining my upcoming trip she informed me she went through a similar experience while preparing for the Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon.    This morning I received many smiles on my walk so I think I was a bit paranoid on that first day, I do not like to draw attention to myself which is hard to do when geared up.  My takeaway from this experience is everyone is on their own journey and nobody should be judging, including myself!.

I am thrilled that my backpack seems to fit OK but currently it is only half full.   I am hoping to get it fully loaded within the next week to see how it feels in real time and make sure the weight is manageable.   Some pilgrims opt to have their luggage picked up each morning and dropped off at their next destination allowing them to carry a lightweight daypack during the walk. These are the organized pilgrims who have spent a lot of time researching and pre-booking accommodation or have physical limitations.   

Below are the contents of my backpack so far:

• 3 litre water bladder (currently empty)  
• Sleeping Bag
• First aid kit
• Ear Plugs
• Cutlery Set
• Mini Towel
• Lightweight Jacket 
• Two lightweight tops
• two pairs of socks
• Phone Charger
• Ear Plugs

Notice I do not have many clothes listed and that is because I am still debating on what to bring.  I also need toiletries, hiking poles and other random items that are going to add significant weight. The big weight gain will be when I fill up the 3 litre water bladder 🙁 

Many people have asked me questions such as what route/stages I will be taking, what the elevation changes are, what’s my itinerary and I typically have no answer and not sure how to respond.  It is either naiveté or irreverence but I haven’t done much research, I guess I have always been a go with the flow kinda girl.  I have no idea what to expect when I walk out of Biarritz Airport, all I know is I have to head west and hopefully not get lost while doing so.  I have not put a lot of expectations on myself except that I want to complete the whole camino and hopefully not get injured or sick on the way.   I’m putting my faith in the Camino Gods and you guys get to come along for the ride!