Hags with Bags

Well later on yesterday I realized why I have felt so peaceful.  A few days ago I decided I was done shopping, done wondering which underwear I would bring, how many pairs of socks to pack, and just how dorky a hat I was really prepared to wear… no more decisions, until I get there of course… Which translates to, this is the calm before the storm😄 

When I started on this path 8 months ago, I realized that I did not want to walk alone… So I started begging, pleading and cajoling my friends and family… “500 miles…whaaaat?” All to no avail….I let it go for now and continued with my plans.

One day, about three months ago  on an Internet forum, I saw a letter from Linda asking if anyone wanted to join her walking the Camino.  Her dates were perfectly aligned with what I had envisioned, so I contacted her.  Turns out she already had five women in her posse, but welcomed me in also, in spite of me sending her a very strange email, story for another day.

We all have been in contact through Facebook private messaging, playing the ‘getting to know you’ game… Having lots of fun and enjoying each other’s quirky personalities… At one point Linda thought it would be a good idea for us to have a name for our group, mmm hmm we had some fun with that… 😄  My favorite was when Debra’s children came up with Hags with Bags….I snorted coffee out of my nose, totally my sense of humor, maybe a little dark ha ha but several felt it was too demeaning and we ended up setting the name aside for another day.  It was hard for me to take it seriously after that suggestion anyway… My hats off to Debra’s kids….it’s totally something mine would have come up with given the opportunity.

And so we meet 4/29 in St Jean Pied de Port to begin our journey…