24 Hours in… London

Now from the get-go, 24 hours in London is not nearly enough (but it is all I had!). In my case, my trip to London was a last minute decision to visit a friend and pick up a package I had shipped to her before I had my own address in the UK. It was also …

Once in a Lifetime: a brief Itinerary of Hong Kong, Northern Vietnam, and the Philippines

Here is but a glimpse, a snapshot, a brief record of events – a trip I planned for Alex's parents through South East Asia December 2015. Three weeks of pushing their comfort zones, of trying new things, of exhausted, tear-induced laughter, of exotic food, strong coffee, and sleeper trains. This post is a testament to them …

Feel the life that surrounds you – the feet that carved this trail, and the good things in life. All that is taken for granted, and all that is lost…

Letter #23 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 26-28: JW [Santiago de Compestella]   So here it is, the end of your long journey filled with the kind words of friends and loved ones, as well as blisters and smelly feet from the many miles left behind. You have both come …

Reflect on this journey…

Letter #22 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 25: AV [Finisterre]     Dear Jourdan, By now you most likely will almost be finished with the journey you embarked on a month ago. I have no doubt you have pushed yourself and your mother to the limits of exhaustion, maybe even sanity …

Sing at the top of your lungs and dance in the middle of the trail…

Letter #21 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 24: EA [Monte de Gozo to Santiago de Compestella, 5km]   Jourdan: Day 21. The 3rd last day of your journey. Well, your Camino journey at least. I have thought of this letter for quite some time. Written and rewritten it. I wanted something …

Contemplate your millisecond of time in this vast universe…

Letter #20 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 23: JB [Acra to Monte de Gozo, 15.1km]   Jourdan: To be opened at least 1.5 hours after last light of July 23 Dear Jourdan, First of all, I am typing this rather than printing it myself due to my HORRIBLE writing. I know …

Ground yourselves and carry stones…

Letter #18 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 21: S&R [Boente to A Peroxa, 15(ish)km]   Cheryl & Jourdan First I want to say how lucky you are to be on such an amazing adventure TOGETHER… I would love the same opportunity with my daughters at some point. Today as you …

Find your Narrative…

Letter #17 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 20: CGS [Mato-Casanova to Boente, 14.7km] Good morning sweetheart! I'm sure your legs are feelings like rocks at this point, your muscles like cannons and your mind like jelly. Hang in there!! You're almost done! You and your mom should feel so proud …

Contemplate and Reconnect…

Letter #16 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 19: L&J [Hospital Alta da Cruz to Mato-Casanova, 19.2km (+1.5km to Albergue)]   Dear Cheryl and Jourdan, As I write this in the comfort of our prior townhouse it is 26ºC outside. We haven't turned on the air conditioner (remember what that is?) …

Look for need and be a beautiful stranger…

Letter #15 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 18: TG [Mercadoiro to Hospital Alta da Cruz, 16.8km] Jourdan, It's amazing where I find old, lined paper stashed about the house - and how little I have need of it these days. This particular paper I found in a duo-tang in the …