Arizona

Ahhhh in two days Kirstin and I are going to be flying to Paris! I'm getting nervous but I feel a lot better having met this incredible woman named Arizona. 

We found Arizona in a pretty funny way. Kirstin was at the REI store in Tempe and was telling one of the employees about our trip. The REI employee told Kirstin that she knew a woman who had done the Camino and gave Kirstin her website. 

http://arizonaoffthewall.com/Home.html

Kirstin and I read the website forward and backwards. We seriously knew everything that she had said on her website and in both of her blogs. It took us about a month to realize that we should email her and see if she would like to meet us. So, unbeknownst to each other, Kirsin  and I both emailed her on the same day. A few days went by and then she wrote us back. I think I screamed a little in excitement when I got her email. We planned to meet at a Starbuck's a few days later. 

So, we were both sitting in the Starbuck's waiting for Arizona to get there. As each person pulled up and walked in we sort of perked up, wondering if that was her. Then, we saw a bright orange Jeep with a tire cover that said "Life is Good" pull up. We knew that had to be her (mostly based on our intense studying of her website). So, Arizona came in and we talked about the Camino for the next three hours or so! 

After we left, I was more excited to go. I also felt like I was not prepared at all. Arizona brought up so many things that neither Kirstin or I had even thought of. We met with Arizona and her husband for breakfast a few weeks later and again, stayed for close to three hours. She knows so much and has given us some much advice that it makes me feel even more prepared. 

She has truly been a blessing to us. I just keep thinking about how amazing this Camino is going to be. If the Camino can bring us Arizona, someone I believe to be a lifelong friend now, who knows what actually walking on the Camino will give us! 

Thank you for all of your help Arizona. I feel so much more prepared because of all of your advice! I can't wait to come back and share all of our experiences with you!! 

Getting Ready

Well in 6 days I will officially begin my year off. I'm taking the year off after graduating college and before law school to do some exploring. My friend Kirstin and I are going to walk the Camino Trail in Spain for the month of September.....its 500 miles.

I am pretty much packed. This is easy when you don't bring much. For those of you (Aunt Mary, my parents and Adeline) who witnessed the amount of luggage I brought with me when I studied abroad in London for a semester, you will be very impressed.

Here is my general packing list:

1 backpack to carry everything in
2 pairs of long sleeve, button up, sun protection shirts
2 tank tops
2 pairs of pants....that zip off into shorts....oh man.
2 pairs of wool socks, 4 pairs of liner socks
1 pair of hiking shoes
1 pair of Tevas (a pair of shoes i never thought i would ever own)
1 set of long underwear to sleep in/wear on cold days
Some toiletries...I'm leaving my Purell antibacterial hand sanitizer at home.
Guide book
Head Lamp (It is pink...but also another item I didn't think I would ever buy/have a need for)
Camera
Bright purple and pink rain jacket
Black rain pants (the concept of rain pants were new to me)
Fleece jacket
Vitamins
Trekking Poles
2 Camelbacks (in case one breaks)
Journal
....and a hat and head scarf

I am not a light packer so this is new to me. About as new as hiking 15 miles a day will be.