Paris Christmas Photos

Frankfurt Christmas Eve

<p>The city is pretty dead. Most shops are closed through the 26th. Only a handful of cafes, bakeries and tourist shops open.</p>
<p>One wonderful tradition here is the pealing of the bells from 10 churches in harmony, which happens 4 times a year(eve before Pentecost, Easter eve, 1st Advent eve, Christmas eve. You can hear this from anywhere near the churches. People gather in Roman square, bring cookies and warm drinks to share with others around them.

Why Choose To Be Away From Family?

Especially on Christmas? That's just how it worked out.  Parents are working then. :(  When they retire, they really deserve rest and fun for helping out the US economy. Christmas is really about celebrating Christ anyway, no? So happy birthday Jesus-my present to you and the world-walking the Camino.

We're never really alone. By coincidence I ran into an old business colleague on the Frankfurt shuttle from our plane to the int'l terminal. I sat down in a seat right next to the doors, and there he was right in front of my face. I knocked on the Plexiglas and smiled and waved, trying to get his attention. No response. Hmmm, maybe it was a case of mistaken identity. I didn't think he would have a reason to be in Seattle so I was definitely not expecting him on that plane! The Germany part made sense though since he had been part of the European team I worked with way back when. Should I loudly declare his name? Bit my knuckles in contemplation. Heck, why not? At worst, this German dude would never see me again, but at best I could chat a bit with an old acquaintance. Wow, of all things!  Good thing it was him,  otherwise the lady next to me might have thought I was completely deranged...shouting, waving, smiling and staring at strangers while in airplane bed head mode.

I saw an IVE sister at the SEA airport too. Thought it would be strange for her though if I approached since she didn't know me. Maybe I should have. What if she had been lost? I need to work on heeding and acting on that small voice inside.

Below, pics of my brother saying bye (he's the quiet type), view of the Cascade mountain range (great place for alpine training), and saying hello/goodbye to Omid in Frankfurt (Christmas lights and 'Germany & More' sign in background).

Reporting From SEA

Packing until the last minute, but was way early to airport. There was barely a line early afternoon today, but it was apparently super busy earlier according to a security guard. What luck!

Had to check in my bag and trekking sticks. It was too bulky, but Lufthansa provided a big plastic bag for the bag so that straps wouldn't get caught and tear, yay.

Downside is that US Bank has a monopoly on ATMs in SEA. $3 use fee.

What is the Camino?

Friend W kindly pointed out that I might want to explain what the Camino is. The Camino de Santiago (Santiago aka San Diego, San Iago, St. James) is actually a network of routes that pilgrims from around Europe have taken for over 1000 years. The goal/end point of pilgrimage is to get to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a city in the northwest corner of Spain within the Galician region. This spot (the ground underneath) is where St. James the Apostle (cousin of Jesus) is supposed to have been buried. You can visit his relics by taking a few steps down to the sanctuary within the cathedral. Pope John Paul II visited and prayed here in 1982 while on an apostolic visit and in 1989 for World Youth Day. Pope Benedict XVI visited during Holy Year 2010. It is a Holy Year at Santiago whenever the Feast of St. James (July 25) falls on a Sunday. You'll see the # of pilgrims shoot up on any given Holy Year, probably to gain a plenary indulgence. More on that here. And no, neither 2011 nor 2012 are Holy Years. :)

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (thank you whoever took this photo on the Fr. Walter pilgrimage!)

A pilgrimage always starts at one's doorstep. However, nowadays, there are some classic starting points within Europe (since people fly, train and sail to get to Europe...swimming might be interesting too). Think Saint Jean-Pied de Port, Roncesvalles, Somport, Porto. Some notable routes are the Camino Frances (most developed and the one I'm taking), Le Puy, Camino del Norte, Camino Portugues, Via de la Plata, and Camino Aragones. The distance you cover really depends on where you want to start. You can walk, cycle, or ride on horseback to get to Santiago to obtain your Compostela, a document issued by the Catholic Church to pilgrims who have completed the last 100km by foot/200km by bike/horse and do the Camino for religious reasons. Of course, many people travel much more than this. Once you get to Santiago, you can also keep walking to Finisterre, the End of the World, 90 km (56 miles) away. There, you really have to stop unless you know how to walk on water. Joke intended. :)

More people in these times probably walk it for spiritual or other reasons (losing some weight, doing something physically taxing, wanting time to think and reflect on an important issue they have in their lives) rather than religious. Dutch juveniles can also walk the Camino starting from Amsterdam? in lieu of a jail sentence (correct me if I got something wrong here)! They say the Camino is magical and that it will change you.

Does the idea of the Camino keep floating back into your head? I kept researching, putting it on the back-burner thinking that I should wait a few years for a better time, then started making inquiries because of the eternal question 'what if'. Things just rolled on nicely from there. If everything goes smoothly, perhaps you're meant to go a certain direction. Take that first step to start and research the Camino to see if it's something you might want to do, just like anything in life. No excuses.

Last Minute Preparations

Met with lawyer today to write a will in that very slim chance something might happen (I needed to do this anyway. A little neurotic, perhaps, but don't want to take any chance of turning my assets over to the State b/c I was unprepared!). I was asked "Do you want to be cremated or buried?" Heh. I've definitely discussed this with friends, but twas a strange feeling to set the answer in legal stone, lol.

Bought travel insurance through worldnomads.com since it's been recommended by Lonely Planet. Who doesn't love them? :) Easy peasy buying process.

Testing Out Pack

Went on father/daughter hike today to see how my pack & weight felt. Not bad if I take it slow. I think I will take out my vest and purifier water bottle, but adding yaxtrax-type non-skid shoe add-on. Raiding dad's gear stash for last minute items, yay.

trail of clouds leading to sunset

dad's camera shy