We know that it is a long time before we leave for our trip, but this is just no ordinary vacation. I mean how exactly does one prepare for a 3-4 week trip with just a backpack to carry all of your belongings in and then walk 160 miles through Northern Spain?
As I sat there with conversations moving swiftly across the dinner table, I realize how different traveling with others will be like, especially after traveling solo for the past 7 years. Conversation topics ensued such as . . . what are you packing? are you bringing your iPad? are you taking a sleeping bag? what camera are you taking? how many change of clothes are you bringing? and should we make reservations along the route or before we leave?
Usually when traveling solo, I have these conversations with myself, but planning a trip with others I now have someone to bounce ideas around with, someone to correct me when I'm wrong and someone to give advice to if I have the information. Traveling solo, it can get a little stressful worrying about some aspects of my travel preparations. I think it will be nice to be able to share the burden of having to make all the decisions on this trip.
Of course traveling with others will also mean that I would be making compromises as well, which I have no problem with.
This trip is not going to be a walk in the park. I mean, we're talking just two sets of clothes, walking 5-6 hours a day, less than ideal lodging, blisters, etc. This is a trip that I can only do with really good friends, the kind of friends that will accept me even when I'm at my worst! And the kind of friends who can also enjoy giving each other some alone time. :) After all, although we are going as a group, the Camino de Santiago is also a very personal journey.
It's been a long while since I've traveled with someone other than myself and I can't think of any two people that I would want to be doing my Camino de Santiago with than these two friends.
I love my solo travel experiences a lot, but I have to admit that it will be nice to have someone to share my Camino de Santiago experiences with. And it will also be nice to have someone to share the experience of watching a beautiful sunset with again. :)
I'm glad you have friends willing and able to do this with you! This does seem like the kind of trip where it will be better to travel with others rather than solo. What an adventure! It's exciting (and 18 months will fly by...)
ReplyDeleteHi Annie, thanks so much for your comments. Yes, I agree, I think 18 months will fly by. I can't believe that we are already in April! This trip will quite the adventure I think for all of us. :)
ReplyDeleteAs Annie says, what an adventure! For me, half the challenge would be traveling with others - making compromises, being willing to let others see me at what might be my worst. So often, I travel solo.
ReplyDeleteBut this is a trip you would want to make with others and it seems you really have found the right travel companions. I think this is going to be an incredible experience - I look forward to tagging along via your blog!
Hi Sandra, thanks so much for your comments. I hiked the Yosemite with these friends and it was tough and we were so scared climbing up the dome and we weathered training for the marathon together, so I can safely say that we've seen each other at our weakest moments. But the success of reaching the top of Yosemite Dome and crossing the finish line, we've also seen each other at our best moments. I think on this trip it will be a challenge but I agree that to be able to share it with someone will be wonderful. I can't wait for the adventure and also to return to Spain and Europe again. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.