Packing for The Camino: 20 must haves

With my Camino 50 days away I have finalized my "packing list" necessities for Camino survival. 1. Good hiking backpack fitted by a professional. This the most expensive idem on the list, expect to spend $160-200 on this necessity. 2. Good hiking shoes that are waterproof ($100-$200) 3. Hiking sandals with closed toe for blocking sand and rocks. A life saver for sore blistered feet while hiking. ($100-$150) 4. Hiking socks made of synthetic material that keeps feet dry, I chose wool. ($10-$20 each) 5. Sleeping liner. I chose a bedbug sleeping liner over a sleeping bag. This was a personal choice based on the time of year. ($30) 6. Flip Flops for the shower and changing into after hiking. ($5-$10) 7. Wilderness wash. This 3ml bottle of concentrated wash can be used for everything from body to clothes or dishes. Bottle is airline approved. ($8.75) 8. Solid Shampoo bar. I chose a sulfate free ideal for died hair. ($10) 9. Organic Bed bug spray. because its organic pillows and blankets as well as the bed can be sprayed before use. ($6.99) 10. Silk pillow case. I read somewhere that bed bugs don't like silk. Stuff pillow with soft clothes from your pack to make a pillow. ($10) 11. Ear plugs for droning out noisy sleepers in the hostels. ($5) 12. Small flash light for finding the bathroom in the dark hostel. ($2-$5) 13. Head lamp for early morning and night walking. ($20-$30) 14. Quick dry microfiber towel. After showering the material will dry quickly and can be placed back in your pack. I had a hard time finding one big enough, so I actually wound up with a yoga towel. ($20-$30) 15. Poncho big enough to cover your pack. My pack came with a built in rain cover so a regular poncho will do.large ponchos are considerably more expensive($10-$50) 16. Hat for blocking sun ($10) 17. Sunglasses. obviously price will vary based on personal preference. (I paid $15) 18. Sunblock. I have sensitive skin so I purchased a silver nitrate sunblock. ($10) 19. European adaptor for electronics. ($10) 20. 3 dryfit gym outfits. Dry fit will keep you comfortable while hiking and will dry quickly to be placed back in the pack after washing. I know nothing about distance hiking but I know what's comfortable for me while at the gym or running. A personal preference based on past experiences.

Preparing for The Camino

Without knowing it I have been preparing spirituality, mentally and physically for the Camino for years. Since that first trip overseas alone. For two and a half years, I have been on this spiritual journey. Discovering my authentic self, and spirituality by leaving my comfort zone. Exploring new land and culture while also finding myself. These experiences are what have lead my heart to The Camino. Adventures of the past few years have taught me so much, while also accidently leaving me dateless and celibate. Not intentionally Just ran out of time in the day for dating. Having my head and heart clear of boy drama, has added in my self discovery and spirituality. Which can only be an asset on the Camino. As for physical preparation, I feel I am in good enough shape for the walk. I work 13hr shifts on my feet as a nurse, have ran and walked half marathons and play competitive sports. However I never did any of these things with a 20 pound pack on my back. Therefore I joined the local Crossfit gym a few months before to work on core and upper body strength. The strength and stamina gained at Crossfit can only help on the Camino. I never expected to love Crossfit, but that's a whole other blog post. As for mental preparation I have been reading everything Camino Including guide books, blogs and step by step accounts by authors whom have done the walk. Less than ideal lodging on past trips overseas has added in the transition to staying in pilgrim's hostels. Over packing on previous trips has prepared me mentally for living out of a backpack with only bare necessities. I am better versed on what I truly need. Unlike others on the Comino, this journey isn't a starting point to clarity it serves as a ending point to years of soul searching. I may never be done searching but when I reach Santiago I will be that much closer.

The first 10 places you should travel to get your feet wet

Many travel bloggers write about going to where the locals go, exploring off the beaten path and even calling tourist spots "cliché". In my opinion these cliché attractions are a must for the new traveler. I can only write about what I know, and where I have been. I am not sponsored, being paid or traveling with my own photographer. I am a full time nurse whom saves tirelessly to the point of fault to travel. The first ten places I traveled were cliché and chosen from the heart. I am grateful I chose these places to get my feet wet in the world of travel. They have the advantage of having other tourists to befriend as well as lots of English speaking locals. Yes they can be busy and expensive but you are safer and when you get that cliché picture it makes it all worth while. As an American girl under five feet, traveling alone, I feel these tourist traps are my safest bet. I too crave that Anthony Bourdain experience, however I am not a six foot tall man traveling with a production company. I travel with a group or stay in youth hostels in tourist areas. My advice is to visit any ten places your heart draws you to. With these ten under my belt I am more educated and versed in international travel to start venturing out more on my own. Its such an awesome feeling to see a place you've been looking at in pictures since childhood. Especially if like me, you didn't even leave your state until your late 20's. The ten must see places to get your feet wet are as follows, in no particular order. 1). London England They speak English and the country is full of history. All of us Americans, Canadians and Australians all originally came from London. Making the history especially interesting. England is also central to all the other awesome European destinations. 2). Paris, France. Every girl dreams of going to Paris, the most romantic place on earth.... You learn quickly thy are rude and don't care for the tourists much but still a good experience. Paris was the first place I learned to never admit to being "American". 3.) Rome, Italy: Great food, the Coliseum, Roman Form. What more could you want. 4.) Pisa In the middle of nowhere with nothing else to do. That cliché picture holding up The Leaning Tower is the only reason you go. Fun fact also the best Mc Donalds you will ever eat. Yes its true us Americans love our Mc Donalds. 5.Venice Possibly the biggest tourist trap of them all, however a must see. Gondola rides, Marino glass, and Venetian masks. A story all your friends will be jealous of for sure. 6.)Florence, Italy My favorite city in all of Europe thus far. History, pleasant locals, easy to get around on foot, and don't forget the David and wine!!! 7).Athens, Greece Roman Ruins, Greek Mythology, and the fattest stray animals in the world. Don't forget the infamous Greek islands are only a ferry ride away. 8). Mykonos, Greece Known as the island for the young and the "party" island. Despite the stigma of being a party island its my favorite of all the Greek islands. beautiful beaches and top notch hotels on the water. Its also one of the closer islands to Athens making it easy to get to. 9). Paros, Greece A more laid back and chill island, a bit cheaper than other more popular islands. 10). Santorini, Greece Possibly the most beautiful place I have ever seen outside of my dreams. The sunset is a bucket list must.

The completion of # 9,16 & 20 of my bucket list 35 things before turning 35.

This Christmas I turned the dreaded 32 years young and by new years had three more items checked off my epic bucket list. #9). Ice Skate in Rockefeller Center at Christmas Time: On my first visit to New York city, the main attraction was the Rockefeller Center tree its self and I never ice skated while there. The wait was long and at the time didn't deem it important enough to endure the wait in the cold. Upon coming home I regretted not having the experience of ice skating in such a beautiful festive environment. On New Years day on kind of a spur of the moment thing, my friend and I decided we were going to do it. The wait was longer and colder than expected but well worth it. We made friends with the people in front of us and the little girl in front of them and we all skated together. We skated together hand and hand five people wide with our new friends. The ice skating itself was short lived because its quite hard and painful. non the less we had an awesome time. while skating I took several chances just to look up and take it all in. The clean crisp smell of the ice, and view of the center from the rink, I will never forget. At the end of the trip my friend and I both agreed it was the highlight of the trip. Even if we were hung over and sleep deprived from new years festivities the night before. #16). Ring in the New Year in Times Square, NY.<b> For as long as I can remember its been a secret dream of mine to spend New Years in Times Square. I never dreamed it would ever come true. You hear horror stories about waiting in the cold and I would have to find someone just as crazy as myself to go with me. When I learned my good friend in Australia also had the same vision and had even booked the trip I knew it was meant to be. I booked the same trip that day. It meant a lot to me to see my friend while she was in the states and this was icing on the cake. The trip came with VIP tickets to an open bar, buffet party one block away from the ball drop. The energy of the people waiting all day in the cold was contagious and the confetti flew for days after. The energy could only be described by, energy of the fans at an important game as your team wins. like seeing your team win the super bowl in person. #20). Ride in a helicopter. As long as I can remember I have wanted to ride in a helicopter. The idea exciting but the reality scared the crap out of me. its not the height that scares me its the blades. Comical fear considering I am under five feet tall but a fear none the less. In my field of nursing its a huge selling point to have NICU experience and they are always looking for flight nurses. Once again my fear of the blades chopping my head off kept me from perusing such a career path. I knew it was a silly fear and one ride would cure me and have me hocked. The hours leading up to the flight was tense but the two hour wait in line cured any nerves. The tour flew over the Statue of liberty, and the NYC skyline. What an awesome experience. I am so glad I didn't let my fears keep me back. It wasn't scary at all. #

Christmas Babies

This Christmas just like every Christmas before, I will be spending it saving babies that share my birthday. For as long as I can remember I have always despised sharing my birthday with Jesus. I mean how can you possibly compete with that? Growing up and still today it is impossible to have a formal party and celebrate the normal way. To my family however my date of birth has always been a blessing. Christmas day the year before I was born, my Grandfather passed unexpectedly. One year later I was born, the final Christmas present from my grandfather to my mother. I never got the chance to meet him, but I choose to work on Christmas day as a means of remembering him. I will be forever grateful to the doctors, nurses and paramedics that were away from family working that day. I am also forever grateful to the doctors and nurses whom delivered me via c section on Christmas morning. For these reasons I choose to work and allow others to be off with family. As my immediate family gets smaller and smaller working on this day has taken on a whole new meaning. Spending my birthday doing the job I love with my awesome coworkers whom have been by my side for the past ten years is a blessing. On Christmas morning I choose to care for the sickest baby in the unit. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one on Christmas and I vowed to do everything possible to make sure it will not happen on my watch. Even if I have to give CPR until the clock strikes midnight on the 26th, that's what I will do. A few friends of mine have also lost relatives on Christmas day and its something you never get over. For this reason my Grandma and I were extremely close. The only daughters, daughter born on the one year anniversary. My birth day gave grandma something else to associate Christmas with.....A Christmas miracle, grandpas final gift.

Santa wears camo

Growing up "under privileged" I do not remember ever believing in Santa. It must have been so hard on my mother to tell us at such a young age. I can recall being the only person who did not believe in my first grade class. We did not qualify for much government assistance but a few times per year we would receive food and gifts on Christmas. We received gifts from Toys for Tots a few years. The gifts were delivered Christmas morning with the tag "girl 10yrs old" or "Boy 12yrs old". Knowing where the gifts came from was an even better feeling than thinking Santa brought them. I was so thankful for those presents, my heart still warms at the though. To know that people I didn't even know came together to give us a good Christmas. I will never forget that awesome feeling of gratitude. I know it warmed my mothers heart as well to see us open those presents on Christmas morning. As an adult I donate un unwrapped toy every year at the store drop box in hopes it will reach a deserving child just as it did me. Giving from your heart and loving gratitude are the true meanings of Christmas.

"The Way" of St James

One week after returning from Greece with no money left to my name, my good friend handed me a book. The book was about the 40 day pilgrimage in Spain she will be taking in six months. I though she was crazy but as a good supportive friend I read the book. It took one day to complete the book and one day to be completely hocked on the idea of this amazing pilgrimage. That same friend also later lent me the movie "The Way' about the exact route we would be taking. El Camino de Santiago or The Way of Saint James in English. An 800km hike through North Western Spain starting in France. Staying at pilgrim hostels along the way at night after hiking all day. How could I possibly afford this? The real question is how could I possibly not do this. Though my travels thus far have thought me so much about myself, I still longed for more of a personal, spiritual experience. The type of spiritual awaking that only comes from a degree of suffering and plenty of time for self reflection. Originally a religious pilgrimage for Catholic's, people from every faith do this pilgrimage for many different reasons. The most popular reasons are health, spiritual and religious reasons. Its "your own Camino" meaning the experience is for you to interpret your own way. In my heart I know I am meant to do this, I can feel it. I can feel it as strong as the feeling I get caring for a sick baby right before he/she shows the signs of being sick. That "nurse feeling" that comes from years of experience in the field. But this wasn't in the plans... I was to focus on School this year, not save tirelessly for another adventure overseas. I have learned to follow my heart and let it guide me in life. My heart is leading me to The El Camino de Santiago. But how can I possibly afford this? Well with a good plan and 6 months I can make it possible. $50 per week will pay for the plane ticket all my clothes and gear can be purchased at thrift stores or possibly borrowed. This would be my cheapest trip costing $10 per day for the hostels plus food along the way. I can only take a little over 2 weeks off from work so at the last 300 miles I will meet up with my friend and her mom. They will be seasoned pros by that time, well on their way to spiritual clarity. I am hoping this will be my last trip and the lessons learned on the Camino will lead me to a fulfilling relationship with the man I will marry. Or maybe I will just write a book about chafing on the Camino..