Preparations

They say your journey begins the moment you decide to go. In that case, I have been traveling for several months now.  The details and preparations to be away from work and home and dog for 3 weeks seem overwhelming at times. 

This weekend was particularly harried – I seemed to have too much to do and not enough time to do it.  However, in hindsight, I managed to get all the important things done, and had some fun along the way.

I took long walks both Saturday and Sunday.  To walk for 3 or 4 hours seems to take an inordinate chunk of time, but these treks are imperative for my preparation.  I can’t just get off the couch, get on a plane and go walk a half marathon every day for 12 straight days without some training.

I decided I wanted to track down the oldest known labyrinth on earth – Jeff Saward (the labyrinth historian) says it is in Galicia, near an old remote monastery.  Google Maps seems to be able to get me there, so I am armed with good information and will attempt to find it on one of my last days in Spain.  I am giddy with anticipation!

 So now I have 5 destinations for my pilgrimage:

1. The bridge at Molinaseca where I started my pilgrimage 10 years ago.
2. The cathedral in Santiago de Compostela
3. The Hotel San Francisco – created out of St. Francis’ monastery in Santiago
4. Finisterre – the western-most point of land on continental Europe – ‘the end of the earth’
5. Armenteira Monastery – the location of the oldest known labyrinth, from 2000 BC.

Each of these 5 places holds a real and personal draw for me, and I am excited that my leave is only 13 days away!