Join me on my camino over the next year to discover what is it like turning 50 in this time and this place as a wife and mother in a world that sometimes appears to be out of control. It is not about my destination but being open to what the journey will provide.
So it has been over a year since I posted anything on the blog. A lot has happened in the last year, not the least of which was my 50th. Wow 1/2 a century old! Who knew that 50 would be so liberating?
So it has been over a year since I posted anything on the blog. A lot has happened in the last year, not the least of which was my 50th. Wow 1/2 a century old! Who knew that 50 would be so liberating?
Now that 50 has come and gone, it is a little like Christmas, the build up and then it's over. Now what do I do? Ya the world is my oyster, but will I locate the pearl?
My husband turned 60 this year so the two b-days add up to 110 years. We were feted by our 5 daughters with a surprise party that was paid for in part by us but organized 100% by them, right down to the paid bartender with the heavy mixing hand.
The party is still the talk of the neighbourhood! More about that later.
Back to that magic number, 110. To celebrate this achievement, we are walking another 110kms of the Camino to Santiago de Compostelo. This time instead of the last 180kms, we are starting at the beginning and walking the first 110kms. We will walk over the Pyrenees and on to Puenta La Reina before hopping a bus to Burgos.
This year there will be only the two of us. While last year's walk was amazing with the youths, I am looking forward to just hangin' out with my husband alone in a foreign country where we annot speak the language and will be bunking in hostels, sharing a bathroom and generally hoping to survive the 110kms.
Last year provided an opportunity to experience northern Spain, into Galicia and on to Finisterre in the comfort of travelling with Father Martin. Father conversed in Spanish so we did not end up with weird food or funky accomodations. The great thing about of travelling with a Priest is that we enjoyed Mass in every town in English. One of the beauties of the Roman Catholic Church is that head office is the same for all priests the world over. Father Martin made contact with the local priest, made the necessary arrangements and we celebrated Mass everyday in centuries old churches.
When we reached Santiago de Compostelo, Father Martin said Mass at the Cathedral. Of course a number of Masses not only included 'the Canadians' but a number of other English speaking pilgrims who were somewhat surprised I think, to hear English spoken Mass in the Spanish churches. Of course there were a number of Spanish locals who were a little surprised if not confused as well.
They say that once you walk the Camino, it gets into your blood and you are pulled back again and again. Hence our return to northern Spain for the 110km pilgrimage this year. So while I have 1 thing down and 49 other things to go, I better get to creating the list that I will complete before the 51st.
I guess number 2 on the list is commiting to the blog by providing regular posts.
I guess number 2 on the list is commiting to the blog by providing regular posts.
Oh yeah and the best thing about turning 50 is that the highschool graduating class of 1978 is also 50 this year. Enough celebration to go around I'd say.
