Means to Me Forum

Woah! Two forum discussions simultaneously!!!

Being A Pilgrim Means To Me...

In this discussion I want to hear your meditations on what it means to be a pilgrim. Write us a poem, or just write three words that best describe your experience. Maybe you'd like to write us a slogan or advertisement to use in next year's pilgrimage. Or perhaps you just need space to ramble about how your life will forever be changed. I can't wait to read your posts. Feel free to post several times and comment on each other's posts.

Means to Me Forum

Wish I Knew Forum

Oh, How I wish I had known...

Welcome back pilgrim travelers. You're adventures have just begun, but before you get swept into the next leg of your journey take the time to build some monuments that will guide the way of future pilgrims along the way. Use the comments on this forum discussion to share all the great advice you learned along the way; thank those who taught you how to care for your feet and your soul; and leave detailed instructions that made all the difference in your journey so that those who follow in your footsteps may benefit from all that you have learned.

Wish I Knew Forum

Photos

Pilgrim Photo Swap

These are the best of our photos, but the collection is not complete. Original full-sized photos available on demand, just ask. If you have photos you would like to post on this blog send me your e-mail address and I'll make you a contributor.

Photos

5 Kilo Backpack

How To Pack A Five Kilo Backpack


35 L Backpack
1050 g - 37 oz

Sleeping Bag
567 g - 20 oz

Sleeping Pad
620 g - 22 oz

LED Lantern
250 g - 8.82 oz

Anti-Blister Sock
50 g - 1.76 oz

Toilet Paper
130 g - 4.6 oz

Crumple Hat - SPF 50 + insect repellent
40 g - 1.4 oz

Jacket - Waterproof outside, Fleece inside
397 g - 14 oz

Long Sleeve - Wicking + Quick Dry
238 g - 8.4 oz

ExOfficio Underwear - Wicking + Quick Dry
32 g - 1.12 oz

Toiletries Bag
750 g - 26.5 oz


Packing light toiletries is essential.


Keep it Simple.


Here's what you'll find in Nichole's ultra light bag :

Zippered Cosmetic Bag - Travel Sized Toothbrush - Travel Sized Toothpaste - Micro-Fiber Towel (65 grams - 2.3 oz) - Mini Bottle of Foot Cream - Mini Nail Clippers - Blister Bandaids - Needle and Thread - Sleep Mask - Ear Plugs - Tin Soap Dish (Including: A Slice of My Regular Bar of Soap, A Slice of Solid Shampoo, A Slice of Facial Soap, A Slice of Laundry Soap) - Shower Flip Flops - Mini Sunscreen - And a Suction Cup Shower Hook (to hang my toiletries bag and clothes where there are no hooks)

Congratulations! This backpack weighs in at just over 4 kilos!

Thus leaving you plenty of room (876 g) to pack your sketchbook, pencil, Bible, and snacks.

The rest, my dear friend, you simply wear ...
                                     Hiking Pants - Ultra Light + Quick Dry

Short Sleeved Shirt - Ultra Light + Wicking + Quick Dry
Light Hiking Shoes (Choose Cross-Trainers Over Boot)
Anti-Blister Socks
ExOfficio Undergarments - Wicking + Quick Dry
Rash Guard Spandex Layer (guys)
ExOfficio Camisole (gals)
Trekking Sticks (2)

5 Kilo Backpack

Camino 2010

Camino 2010

Pilgrim Musiciens Pack Light

Imagine revolutionizing our meditation and sharing time around dinner.

Pilgrim Musiciens Pack Light

Feel The Spirit!

My absolute favorite camino photo 2009.

- Nichole

Feel The Spirit!

Why Pilgrims Use Maps

Today, a week after my return, I am still learning new things about how life is a pilgrimage. I see reflections of this everywhere in my life.

Pilgrims use maps. Some pilgrims never open their maps as they travel in groups and simply follow other pilgrims as sheep one right after another. But how do you know which sheep to follow, for example? And even the followers pull out their maps when we arrive at a difficult intersection.

So today I looked at my Bible setting on the couch and the thought came to me,

"The map doesn't tell you where to place each footstep on the path, it tells us which signs to look for along the route."

Perhaps it tells us what kind of people to follow and which villages we walk through. It may not dictate which rock to step on while crossing the brook, but it does suggest qualities found in trustable rocks so we can make wise decisions when we reach the brook ourselves.

-Nichole

Why Pilgrims Use Maps

Teaser 2010

Two possibilities for 2010!

Alfredo has suggested a route in the Algarve that winds through many beautiful Portugese villages. This route is far from the crowded albergue, as it hasn't been used by pilgrims in quite some time. It's likely we might see beautiful countryside like these ...

Tim has suggested that we do a section along the coast from Porto to Santiago. A superb idea indeed. Of course there are many advantages to doing the Pourtugese route during the year of Xacobe, we like our tight-knit community and are trying to avoid the crowds - possibly a thousand pilgrims per campground on the northern routes this summer. We will also try to arrive on a weekday because the millions of pilgrims traveling this summer will plan their schedules to arrive precisely on Saturday or Sunday.

This route is interesting because we have volunteers to scope out the trail and plan the week. Plus, our kitchen equipment and tents are being stored in Porto already.

Teaser 2010

Publicité en Français 2009

2 au 9 Août 2009. 120 euros. Toutes les confessions sont les bienvenues afin de cheminer ensemble pour ce voyage spirituel ! Participez aux vacances les plus reposantes ! Venez passer une semaine en communiant avec la nature et en nourrissant votre âme. Réveillez-vous avec le lever du soleil. Promenez-vous tranquillement toute la journée. Sentez la paix dans votre âme. Pratiquez votre anglais ou votre espagnol avec les participants de toute l'Europe. Suivez votre rythme personnel. Appréciez un dîner exquis préparé par notre chef chaque soir au camping. Jouissez de la liberté loin des portables et des courriels en explorant les plus beaux paysages de l'Espagne. Témoignez d'un baptême en plein air. Permettez Dieu de guérir votre coeur. Contactez-nous à etincellesdevie@gmail.com

Publicité en Français 2009