Final Pack List

So I thought it would be useful for people to know what was in my backpack when I ended the Camino. A lot of my stuff was actually not new and I wouldn't recommend buying a whole new wardrobe for the trip. Use what you have if you can.

-REI Flash65 backpack (light, less than 3 lb) (I think I could have gone down to a 55L size)
-REI Expedition sleeping bag (honestly I was glad I had a super warm sleeping bag; even at nights I was too hot, being hot was much better than being too cold)
-pack cover
-2 hiking poles
-sleeping bag cover that came with my sleeping bag (I actually used this bag for holding my clothing/wearables)
-Granite Gear compression sack (22L size) for my sleeping bag
-3 pairs wool socks (burned holes in 1other pair on a radiator in Ferreiras)
-2 pairs REI synthetic liner socks (burned holes in 1 pair as well)
-synthetic turtleneck with wick-away fabric
-synthetic Columbia tunic fleece
-an old wool hat that covers ears I never really wore
-Turtle Fur neck gaiter (I used it for my head as a hat, as a gaiter
-OR glacier leg gaiters (great b/c they kept my pants cleaner longer and protect me from the cold)
-1 pair snow trax (only used one day)
-convertible, breathable long pants
-ski-type pants that were excellent in the rain
-1 wool base top and bottom for daytime wear, 1 synthetic polar-tec bottom as PJs
-ski jacket - jacket was def a little too heavy when I was moving, but when I was still, it was a godsend
-Asolo hiking boots with ankle support
-holey cashmere sweater
-2 pairs ExOfficio Give-n-Go underwear
-workout tank with built in bra
-emergency bivy sack
-2 emergency blankets (maybe this was a little too much)
-compass (only used that once through the Pyrenees)
-1 roll of toilet paper
-some feminine products (enough for 2 days)
-guidebook which I used in the beginning a lot, but then looked at it less and less as my Camino went on
-knife with 3 inch blade
-1st Aid kit (tums, anti-diarrhea medicine, advil, 3 pack moleskin, small scissors, bandages, alcohol wipes, anti-bacterial ointment, elastic bandage, wound dressing...I had a lot in a ziploc bag, thankfully didn't have to use it much, but glad I had it just in case)
-small travel sewing kit
-3oz sunscreen, 2 oz cetaphil lotion, 2 small toothpaste tubes, toothbrush, soap bar (i could have survived on half a full size bar)
-converter, phone charger, headphones
-a pair of earrings
-pen
-bikelight (so useful in the dark)
-flip-flops
-glasses and sunglasses
-hair ties and bobby pins
-snacks are essential if you are travelling around the holidays when stores are closed for vacation, but you don't need that much, just 1-2 day supply; my emergency energy bar was a baguette I'd buy whenever I came by a bakery (panaderia)...sometimes that baguette would be in my bag for 3-4 days
-gummy bear vitamins :)
-a candy bar (fast energy)
-big shell from Pablito; I used it once in a while to drink water with from a fountain
-blue ribbon from the midnight Christmas mass at Notre Dame in Paris
-1 big plastic water bottle
-2 trash bags

Camino Frances Maps

So, Tom said it was a little confusing to follow along with where I was exactly. Here are some links to maps of the Camino Frances route to give you a general idea:
http://www.santiago-compostela.net/frances/index_cf_en.html
http://www.elcaminosantiago.com/Camino-Santiago-Map-Camino-Frances-Google.htm
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/el-camino-frances/topic3963.html?sid=f248106c57e60a9dfed32ad9aa686690
You don't really need a map to walk the Camino, though it might help at times. Just follow the yellow arrow, white/red stripes, yellow/red stripes, or sometimes the green/white stripes in Navarra.

I'll also be cleaning my past entries up a bit and adding English translations for some of you who aren't so Spanish-literate. ;)

1 Week Back in US

Current event craziness. First, Giants winning against the Pats at Superbowl, then Linsanity esp in the Asian American community and the whole HHS Mandate debacle.

You gotta love California drivers. They cut you off so often. I even had one truck driver behind me speed up to get in front of me ( I was in a left turn lane), look both ways, then purposefully run a red light, going straight ahead. I wanted to report his rump but didn't get his license plate down on time. Now that I think about it, I should have just taken a photo. Doh. Spanish drivers are not nearly as aggressive. They were nice and let me cross whenever I was at a crosswalk.
Thought I'd add a photo of myself to prove I'm back in the Bay. ;) See, driving and wearing normal clothes! Regular clothes make me feel chilly. I miss my wool base! It'd be weird wearing it out though. People would think I'm out in my undetwear. My mom and bro hate these sunglasses on me, saying it doesn't match my face, then again I like really weird sunglasses sometimes. :) No smiling since I'm all serious after the Camino. Hah, not.

By the way, I keep thinking of how many of you prayed for me and how hard you prayed. God can do such amazing and great things. So many nuns, priests, brothers, fantastic friends who love God and/or me and maybe even you who I don't personally know. I honestly think all the fabulous weather I had was seriously because of you. ;) Thank you thank thank you. Love, Christina

Santa Clara Carmelite Monastery

A little feel of Spain right here in the Bay area! The Carmelite monastery, Carmel of the Infant Jesus, is right next to Santa Clara University and has really beautiful grounds.

Weekday mass: 7:15am
Sunday mass: 10:30am
Vespers 4:30 pm

Trip Wrap-Up

Lol, I feel like I'm back working again, calling this post a wrap-up. Thought it might interest you to know what I'm thinking and feeling though after 2 days back from my trip.

Bay area was so hot the first day I was back! I was sweating like a pig in my wool base layer. Grabbed an in-n-out burger after I landed, hehe. Mmm. So much better than either the McIberico or other burgers over there. It feels like spring here. I see flowers on the trees. So weird hearing people speak English, especially the cyclists. When I hear the Latinos speak it's also a bit strange because they have a different accent, but still more normal than English, heh.

I think I've gotten used to the lack of personal space. Now, it feels weird and standoffish when friends don't embrace or kiss me. Lol.

BODY
My knees and feet are still really overused and worn. Glad my roomies are both med students (almost doctors, they're so close to finishing!). One said the pain and swelling was due to repetitive stress, but that my feet should be back to normal in a month or so. My feet kind of fit in my shoes, but the front part is a little expanded and are a bit tight in my shoes.  I still can't walk normally because my feet hurt and when I'm off them, then start walking, it's still somewhat painful in the beginning. I still can't easily bend my knees either. My body is stooped like I'm still carrying the backpack on my back. I need a massage.  Because I want to keep off my feet, I think I want to start swimming to get a workout. I'd rather run or walk, but my other roomie and bff suggested I do something low impact. Gar, I really want to get some physical exercise. It feels weird eating so much and not having much physical activity. Yes, I weighed myself after getting back and I did lose about 5-10 pounds. Heh, not a ton...not that I had too much to lose, but anything is good!

MIND
Airport and plane ride with so many people was a bit crazy. On my flight back I sat next to a mom and the cutest 9m baby girl ever. She was sooo good and didn't really cry. Not sure why I coincidentally get sat next to babies on my long hauls in the beginning and end of the Camino. Driving was a bit of an adjustment and when I went to volunteer teach, the motions I made were much more psyhologically deliberate. I feel a lot more focused - I think it's because of the Camino.  I feel that I have changed a bit in both mind and body. I know that I need to take some more time to reflect on my experience and to process everything. Answers may come slowly, but patience is a virtue. :)

HOW WAS MY TRIP?
People ask me this. What do I say? Excellent. I learned a lot. The Camino is a school of life and I carry the Camino in my heart. A winter Camino is very special. It is a great time for self reflection because there aren't many people as you walk.  I'm not sure if I'd want to do the entire Camino Frances again, but there are some sections I'd do in a heartbeat. Other Caminos  would be very interesting. Back to reality though. I feel like I'm ready to face reality and take on the world.

THOUGHTS ON WALKING THE WINTER CAMINO ALONE AS A WOMAN
I think as a young woman in her 20's travelling and walking alone, there are both greater risks and greater rewards. People usually say that you need to be careful in the big cities, but honestly, I felt more at risk in some small towns because there are so few people around to help you if you run into trouble, so having your wits about you at all times is important. Just because you're on pilgrimage and in the 'Camino bubble', doesn't mean that the outside world can't harm you. The winter pilgrims are mostly a decent lot, choosing to walk the camino in potentially more arduous conditions. It's the non-pilgrims I worried about.

What I Left Behind along the Camino and What I Loved

Left Behind Along Camino
-plastic bag for bag b/c I had a pack cover and that sufficed - Roncesvalles
-vest, hand sanitizer - Cizur Menor
-camelbak - Carrion de los Condes; I just used a cheap water bottle the entire time because when I needed a drink, I also needed to rest.

My Favorites
-wool base layer - I felt clean in these even after several wearings and didn't need to wash them every day; synthetics get smelly and don't feel as clean on the skin
-pack cover - keeps bag clean and the rain off
-sleeping bag - even though I was hot most times, it was so much better to be warm than cold because I could cool down easily, but warming up takes longer in winter.
-toilet paper - enough said

What I Carried that I Didn't Wish I Carried
-too many clothes. I wish I hadn't brought my turtleneck. Then again, it was a strangely warm winter and could have gotten cold so extra layers might have been useful if I hit colder temps during my walk. I also had only 2 days of rain my entire trip - lucky, I know.

Au Revoir Paris

Shuttle picked me up at 3:20 am. Eugh tired. Got to see the landmarks from the van but most weren't lit up.

Vat refund customs line in CDG T1
5:30 am queue nonexistent. :) I love travelling in off-season. No crowds to deal with. I was 1st one in line. Here's now hoping that I can get the actual refund.

Last Fall...I hope
Lol as I was heading over to the gate for boarding, I tripped over my hiking boot shoelaces and took a nice hard tumble to the floor, lol. You know that moment when u know you're going to fall, have your hands full, and cant stop yourself? Talk about graceful. Knees hit the ground and I bruised. Ow. I can never escape pain it seems. Silly me.

Last Day Paris

<p>Lazy start. I still wake up with the sun, latest around 8, but it feels sooooo good to just lie there, not worried about getting kicked out.</p>
<p>Yummy lunch around the place then to Sacre Couer. By chance got there at 2:45 for 1st Friday Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 3pm. Nuns singing and a Spanish priest co-presided, there on pilgrimage. Afterwards benediction and exposition in the chapel downstairs. Amazing to see so many people there, mostly of African origin. Never any coincidences. :). Afterwards to Chapel of the Miraculous Medal on Rue de Bac, tjen literally 20 ft away to pick up something for mom at Le Bon Marche (people so nice there) and then we hit the mother lode of a gourmand shopper's paradise across the street from Le Bon. Imagine a whole foods of boutique artesanal food shops all collected into one place. I used to be a major foodie, but this place is just amazing and would have made my former self ecstatic as she had never been before. Bought el Faradelo de St Jacques in honor of my camino and lots of foie gras. Both ready made and other regular grocery items. Yogurt and four selection so awesome. Mmmmmmm</p>

Paris Food + Museuming

Stuffed ourselves silly today with Poilane baked goods, Stube currywurst, Angelina hot chocolate and montblanc, Laduree macarons (orange flower, rose, violet blackberry) and pho. A gastronomic tour today. :) Fit in the Musee dOrsay and lOrangerie in between. Excellent beautiful spaces for the art collections. Happy to have my fill of Monets nympheas in the white circular rooms in lOrangerie.

Sacre Couer from Clock of Musee dOrsay

cold here! below freezing

eiffel at sunset

hm, is this hot chocolate really one of the best in the world

Leaving Santiago

Rainy cloudy and some sun today on the monbus (runs every hour) down to vigo. Saw many trees with what looked like yellow flowers on top. Reminds me of the daffodils and smell of hyacinth that wafted by when i tyrned the corner in Santiago to face the cathedral.

Transportation in Vigo

8 Eur for bus to vigo bus station via Monbus. Walked about 15 minutes to catch the 9a bus for 1.22 eur to the airport. Bus probably took 30 min to 1 hr. A taxi would cost 15 eur. I still feel so exhausted.
Nice guy on the bus in vigo picked up some pennies I dropped even though I said it didn't matter (no te preocupes). Vigo airport took my bastones but I didn't care since I was planning on losing them if necessary. Flight wasn't bad because I'm short and I fit in the seat, but my knees were a few cm from the seat in front of me. There's just a lot of smooching noises (my neighbors) amidst the babies' cries.

Barcelona airport looked really familiar. Hah, it's because I've slept here before, lol. I don't remember all the airports I've gone through anymore or maybe I just lost track or don't care. All the wonderful Spaniards I met came from either Barcelona or Galicia. Maybe I will see Barcelona again. Galicia is an of course for Fisterra.

Easing myself into non-camino civilization...going into clothing stores and other consumer places. No, I haven't bought anything, yet, only food and a cardboard tube for my compostela. I might since early February is a great time for sales in Paris ;) My head hurts. Maybe it's all the electronic sounds and non-country air. So much chatter everywhere.  Feel nauseous the entire day.

Paris Orly and then playing with friends in Paris! It's a convergence of Asian ladies, lol. Asians were a scarcity along the Camino, and non-peregrino Asians even more so. I only saw Chinese people in their bazaar shops or Chinese restaurants in big cities minus the Korean taekwondo master's family in Estella.
I can't believe how lucky I am to have the chance to meet up with so many (for me so many is more than 2 ;)) people I know in the city of love and light after the Camino. Feeling blessed.
<3<3<3<3<3
Switching brain to understanding french is super hard. I'm staying in the 13th Arrondissement, apparently near the heart of Chinatown, who knew? Hilarious because information desk man super friendly at Orly and joked that I'd fit right in. After no Asians, I'm being thrown into the fire. By good luck Orly is super close so was easy to get here!