What you learn really quickly – I’m talking almost instantly – is that vanity has no place on the Camino de Santiago. Avoiding mirrors is a good idea; especially when you’re someone who gets her hair cut and colored every 4 weeks without fail.

Right, left, right, left, walking the Camino de Santiago one step at a time I dragged my body into the courtyard of the convent of Roncevaux.  I was the last one in our group of walkers to pass through the gate and as I did so a woman was smiling and waving me forward, while a man approached me.

Abi leaned over and whispered in my ear, this driver is haulin ass!  To which I replied, I know, but I’m trying not to think about it.  It was a wild beginning, this bus ride to St Jean Pied de Port, of our Camino de Santiago journey.

Could there be a hotter topic right now than the nuclear talks between the US and Iran? What a time in history to visit this fascinating, yet hugely misunderstood country.  But we were there. We heard the people in the streets, the honking of the horns and the firecrackers being set off as the news unfolded.  The framework deal will be moving forward in a positive direction.

By the time we left Prague neither one of us was back up to speed and I was still sporting a hacking bit of a cough, but we carried forward.  It was onward to Bavaria!

Prague has it going on.  When you think back it wasn’t that long ago the Czech Republic was behind the iron curtain; the fact that we are now free to come and go across the border wasn’t lost on me.

Arbeit Macht Frei

Labor Brings Liberty

The Bone Church. With only two days left in Prague it was a choice between Sunday or Monday as to which day we would take a day trip to Kutna Hora.  We decided Sunday was the better choice giving us a just in case day if we didn’t make it.

We walked several miles and climbed 150 stairs (Abi counted) yesterday, in the cold and mist, just so I could show you this view.  Okay, yes, we wanted to see it for ourselves but you get the benefit without the hike.  You’re welcome!

There’s a well-known saying among experienced pilgrims.  The Camino will provide.  But, how does one pack for a long trek such as walking the Camino de Santiago? I suppose when anyone takes on an adventure that most consider a bit out-of-the ordinary, the inevitable questions arise, such as how does one even begin to figure out the logistics and what’s in the pack, Jack?