Day 0 St Jean Pied de Port

 May 6, 2016

St Jean Pied de Port

What have I gotten myself into? The Camino... who's idea was that? This project is really nothing short of insane.

I was having a nice weekend in France with my friends.  Now I've successfully connected to the train bound for St Jean Pied de Port, and tomorrow I start my walking journey.

Many pilgrims don't choose to start their pilgrimage with three days of unabashed gluttony, but then I would be hard pressed to ever characterize myself as a pilgrim. While I can't really put my finger on why I am embarking on a 500+ mile/30 day hike, I think we all know that it's not a spiritual quest. I'm simply not that deep.

I think my good friend Annamarie accidentally summed it up best in the voicemail I just fielded. When Mike told her I was going on "The Camino", she assumed it was a large and famous cruise ship, with endless buffets and chocolate decadence parties. She clearly expected reports of lounging about on deck with a glass of champagne and a plate of bon-bons   I'm glad my reputation sets appropriate expectations.

To begin my journey, I have spent the last three days in the Perigord region of France, eating foie gras, truffles and white asparagus all washed down with entirely too much good wine. So it's been a great send off by my friends Nils and Sonja, and of course Mike, whom I am missing already.

I carry a pack just short of 7 kg (15lb). I carry a stone of remembrance of Kato which Mike gave me as a parting gift: I guess he thinks that more weight in my pack is just what I really need.  I also carry a stone and a prayer for the sick mother of our friend Thomas. I carry the well-wishes of my many friends and not an insubstantial amount of emotional baggage.  I hope to return a couple of stones lighter, and without some of the baggage.

I can't promise that I'll post comments or pictures every day. But I'll try to update periodically on my progress.