First Part

Left Tallahassee at 6:30am and Mariano drove me to Jacksonville to catch my first flight. Jacksonville to Chicago on American Airlines. I wore my backpack and checked in my suitcase. I had to place my walking sticks in the suitcase since I´m sure they did not want my weapons in the cabin of the plane. Got to Chicago and saw my brother Tony and his wife Ellen who met me at the airport. I went in and out of the security several times due to trying to find each other. By the last time they checked my belongings, my shampoo was leaking. No problem, I took and extra baggie.
The next leg of the trip was Chicago to London. We sat on the plane 2 hours 20 minutes before we took off, because some wheel in the baggage department was not rolling correctly. The pilot even told us that it was a section that was not even in use. I think he told us because he was as frustrated as we were. So of course I arrive in London too late for the next flight, London to Madrid.
I get to London and you would not believe the chaos in the airport. I do not recommend using London as a connecting airport. When I got off the plane, someone from British Air met me to tell me which flight they had switched me to, since I lost the other flight. Just getting from the plane to security took an hour and a half. So I get past security and was told I had to check in with my new flight and get a new ticket for that change. I show the woman my new ticket and she tells me, ¨Going to Vienna?¨ "WHAT?" Vienna? Great, now I have to deal with this mistake. I told her I was going to miss my second flight of the day due to all these problems and she pushed me through to another airline. I had to run to catch the plane and got on and Iberia flight to Madrid. Before I left I asked about my suitcase... "well, it might not be on this flight, but would on the next...we have many flights to Madrid".
So you know what happened next.... no suitcase. I had to file lost suitcase report and was told I would probably get a call that evening or next day. I explained I was supposed to leave at 7 in the morning for St Jean Pied-de-Port. So you know what happened next. No suitcase. Now it is the next day, did not leave for SJPP and could not get through to ask about my suitcase. I took a metro and bus to the airport, only to be told they had no idea where it was. I was so sad. Sadder yet was a young man from South Africa, Chester, who told me he had been saving for 2 years, as a teacher, to go on the Camino. Oh wow, another Camino walker. He had been in Madrid for 2 days with no suitcase in sight. I was told I would probably get mine the next day, because they saw on the computer that it is in London. They cannot find Chester's. So, now another day in Madrid, with only the clothes on my back. Of course I do have clothes in my backpack I could use... I would rather have my walking sticks and leave!!



Now Madrid is an awesome place and I am spending it with my cousin Begoña, so I am not actually suffering (like Chester from S Africa). But still, this is taking 2 days off my trip. I told m cousin about Chester, and I decided to see if I could find him (yeah, sure, somewhere in Madrid.... let's see,should I call every hotel?) and I tried calling the guy from Iberia, and no way that I can connect with Chester.
There must be a lesson somewhere. Ummm, Hello Universe?
PS> There is something yet to come about Chester. Stay tuned. (Camino Magic is afoot)

As Ready as I can Be

4 days to go. I have moved out of my house... all my belongings are in storage, scattered at several places, in fact... I am staying at my son Salvador's apartment with only my backpack and suitcase packed, along with a few extra items of clothing I may wear for the next 4 days. I have checked the Camino forums over and over for last minute tips... I have packed and repacked my backpack, thinking (hoping) I can let go of something else which will make my pack lighter... I am saying some goodbyes here and there... what else is there to do but wait, now.
Concerns? Yeah.
-Will I do the mountains alright? High elevation, cooler weather, uphill climb all in the first day. (I have walking sticks and I have cool weather clothes).
-Will I do the plains alright? Much heat, the sun burning down on me, miles and miles of flatland. (OH I bought my hat today...that should help).
-Will I be able to carry this pack? These moving days have been havoc on my lower back pain. (I am seeing the chiro on Monday - hmm a massage would be nice, too).
-Will I have enough time to do it all? I may not be able to walk great lengths each day. I may want to do a sidetrip like to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim museum and Nerea's mom. (Well, I just want to enjoy the journey, not be attached to the destination).
-Will I get sick on the Camino? I had a little scare recently, but I'll be alright. Saw the oncologist this week also, who told me to have fun. (But like my surgeon's nurse said, "They have hospitals in Spain, right?").
-Will my feet make it? So much talk on the forums of foot problems. I would hate to have to end the walk prematurely because of destroyed feet! (But yeah, I read a bunch on prevention also)
And there are others. But you know me.... it always works out.