Monday, April 22, 2013

Weekly Training Walk and a Lesson learned on blisters

On Saturday we shared our weekly Camino practice walk.  This one was over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge Park where we had a show and tell of Damian's gear (since he's all ready to go).  Initially I thought this would be an easy 5-8 mile day, but it ended up turning out to be an awesome 16 mile one.... that is until my little toe started talking to me, and after my ignoring it for a couple of miles, toe decided to rebel.  

The walk over the Bridge and down to the park was a piece of cake.  We took about an hour brake in the park, and continued to walk across Atlantic Avenue to Barclays Center.  Once Damian and I said adios to our fellow Camino Pilgrims (Paula, Tara and Rosanne), we decided to walk back home to Bay Ridge.  What my toe taught me on this walk was that I must stop every hour or so, take off my boots and be nice to the little piggy.  The poor thing tried talking to me along the way, but I brushed it off, and continued on.  But the little piggy had the final say on the situation.  When I got home that evening, I discovered (to my surprise) that there was a decent sized blister covering the bottom of my toe, which for the next day prevented me from being able put any pleasure on the left foot, and especially the little toe.  Ouch.  

While taking it easy for the most of Sunday following this incident, I had to have a conversation with the little piggy, here was my promise to the toe:    

Dear Toe –

I hear you loud and clear. In just 16 miles, you kicked my behind and effectively prevented me from being able to walk for the next 24 hours.  From now on you and I will be best friends.  I promise that I will stop and check on you quite often throughout my day, and I need to you work with me and cooperate along the way.  I certainly to not want you to rebel like this while we’re walking the Camino. 

Your proud owner

Hopefully, toe will cooperate and we can get along during my training walks, and especially while we’re walking the Camino. 

Stay tuned for more stories related to this journey,


It's a small world - thanks to a yellow arrow

This past Saturday, our Camino group and I were getting ready for our weekly Saturday practice walk.  We met in City Hall Park, and while waiting for the remainder of our NYC Camino Pilgrims to arrive we met Sana from Denmark. 

Sana was just finishing lunch with her husband and daughter in City Hall Park when she spotted the yellow Camino arrow on Damian's backpack sitting on a bench next to them.  She got up and came closer, just to make sure that the yellow arrow that she saw was really a Camino arrow (and it was).  

Turns out Sana went on the Camino journey in 2011.  She also told us that it was a very memorable journey for her, and was very near to her heart.  We thanked Sana for taking the time to chat with us, and said our goodbyes.  

Sana returned a couple of minutes later and asked if one of us would take the ribbon that she received during that morning's mass at the St. Paul's Chapel to the Camino in memory of her journey on the Camino and her recent trip to New York City.

Of course we said yes.  The ribbon is now attached to my pack, and to honor Sana's request, I will tie the ribbon someplace along the Camino when I walk in June. 
  

Thanks Sana for taking the time out of your day with your family to chat with us and share your Camino story.  

Nina






Saturday, April 13, 2013

Our first training walk for the Camino

This morning we did our first training walk around the city. We started the day with 9 fellow NYC Camino Pilgrims and walked from south street seaport around the tip of manhattan through battery park and up the west side to Chelsea pier.

At Chelsea Pier we said good day to Joan and Karen and headed east towards Union Square. Thayer and Jessica broke away from us along the way to continue their day. At this point, Rosanne, Damian and I decide it was time to take a rest (we were up to about 8 miles at this point) and find some Spanish tapas for lunch.

El Cid provided the perfect atmosphere for us to rest and fuel up so we can continue our journey. We finished our lunch and continued to REI to get some more gear Rosanne and I were missing for our caminos. After a brief shopping session Damian, Rosanne and I stopped by the La Churreria for some churros and cafe con leche. A snack well earned.

After saying good night to Rosanne, Damian and I continued downtown to City Hall, over the Brooklyn Bridge and to Atlantic avenue to catch the R train home.

All this took us about 8 hours, and roughly 17 miles - a typical day in a life of a Camino Pilgrim. This wasn't so bad. I A great time with the group and aside from being in a great deal of pain tomorrow, I think I can do this every day of my Camino.

Thanks to Damian, Rosanne, Jessica, Karen, Thayer, Paula, and Joan for coming our and sharing our training walk with us.

See you next week.

Nina

















Sunday, April 7, 2013

NYC Pilgrims on the Camino - Meet & Greet happy hour

Yesterday was the first meeting of our newly found group - NYC Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. I am thrilled to announce that the meeting was a success and the turnout was incredible. We had about 15 NYC Pilgims attend, and everyone had the spirit of the Camino in their hearts.

We got to know each other, listened to some stories and even got to wish one of our fellow pilgrim, Lorena, a Buen Camino. Lorena is embarking on her journey this week with her family. We wish her all the best on her walk and we can't wait to hear the stories of her journey upon her rerun.

Words can not describe how happy I am to meet so many amazing individuals that have taken the time out of their busy lives to join our group. Can't wait to spend more time with all of you and talk all things Camino.

See you soon,

Nina