When it's easier to bloom...

My aunt sent me this wonderful quote today in a letter of support for my journey-

"And there came a time when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. - Anais Nin

I spent this evening sorting my packing list, checking it twice, then actually packing it. I'm at 19 pounds in the load. I don't want to take more than 15 pounds. Oh, what is a girl to do? Camino just 3 days away...

To Help My Feet Keep On Smiling. . .

This is to help keep me and my feet smiling when I'm about 200 miles into a 483.6 mile trek to Santiago de Compostela.  Thank you to Elizabeth at Allay Spa on Fairview/Milwaukee.  Your Great!

LETTER TO SUPPORTERS-- Pledge to the Nampa Family Justice Center

I am embarking on a solo, long-distance walk called El Camino de Santiago- Camino Frances.  The translation, literally, is “The Way of Saint James”.  The Camino Frances is the most popular of all the Camino routes to Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain.  This route starts in St Jean Pied de Port on the French side of the Pyrenees and finishes about 780km (483.6 miles) later in Santiago.  There are well over 100,000 pilgrims who walk or bicycle this historically religious trail each year.  But, I am considered a Winter Pilgrim, so it is likely there will be few walking along with me.

My Camino will begin February 3^rd and end in Santiago de Compostela on March 8, 2011.  I will walk through many small villages and some larger towns, such as Pamplona, Leon, Burgos, and finally to Santiago de Compostela.  There are numerous Albergues and Refugios (pilgrim only hostels) along the way.  You must have a pilgrim’s passport in order to stay at these adequately-equipped shelters.  I will be walking an average of 16-18 miles each day—some days longer, some shorter.  As with many spiritual journeys, I am confident that the Camino de Santiago will, for me, continue well past the Praza do Obradoiro in front of the Santiago Cathedral at the end of the trail.

As part of my life’s journey, I have had the remarkable opportunity to work with and on behalf of so many bright, funny, resilient, and extraordinary children—who also happen to have been physically or sexually abused and neglected.  The unmistakable spirit and strength in these children are reflections of the ability that exists in all of us to overcome even the most challenging of life’s oppositions—even when the barrier only remains within ourselves.

The Nampa Family Justice Center, a facility I have been working with since its inception in 2005, is currently in the process of expanding the Children’s Center.  The NFJC provides forensic interviews, medical exams, and other services for children with domestic violence, abuse, and neglect history.  While the FJC has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant which helps fund the renovation of the Center, there are still many costs to be derived through community donations. 

As a life-long advocate for children and a future Camino Pilgrim, I am asking for your monetary pledge per mile that I walk (483.6 miles), a flat amount per day on the trail (32 days), or a flat rate for the entire trip to be donated to the Family Justice Center Foundation of Idaho via the Nampa Family Justice Center website.  You can make a secure on-line donation by clicking on the “Donate” button at the bottom of the NFJC website screen and follow the PayPal prompts.  You can also make a donation by check or money order to the “FJC Foundation of Idaho” for “Brandy’s Walk”.  For more information, please contact Joni Buckley at 208-475-5740 or buckleyj@cityofnampa.us.

Thank you for your support and Bueno Camino!

The Golden Ticket has arrived!

Sixteen days from door to door-- I received my Passport in the mail yesterday!  Good job U.S. Government!  When you are embarking on a lengthy and complicated trip like this, that one Golden Ticket doesn't seem like much.  But, having it in my hand sure feels like a big part of this process just took off.  Speaking of taking off-- one week from today, I'll be on a plane.

Planning the packing list.

After much research and planning for my winter pilgrimage, I'll be taking the following:

Basics

·         First Aid Gear (include Naperson, band-aids, needle-n-thread, antiseptic cream)

·         Plastic envelope w/ all travel itineraries and incidental information

o   credit card information in case of lost/stolen.

o   Info on obtaining Pilgrim passport

·         Backpack, pack cover

·         water bottle w/ carabineer

·         Insurance details

·         PASSPORT!!!

·         Plane tickets 1) all American Airlines, 2) easyjet (from Paris-Barritz)

·         Train ticket info Bayonne – St. Jean

Sleeping

·         Sleeping bag

·         Headlamp / Flashlight

·         Pillow

·         Watch w/ alarm

Safety

·         Windows Phone/camera/music/entertainment combo

·         Mobile charger & European outlet converter

·         3-5 plastic shopping bags w/ rubber bands for covering feet/shoes in wet weather

·         Swiss Army knife (if can bring)

Clothing

·         Good walking shoes

·         winter compatible BOOTS ????

·         Slip on- sandals for around Albergue

·         Long underwear

·         Night wear (pants & shirt)

·         Underwear

·         2-pair socks

·         2- pair lightweight pants

·         2 long sleeve shirts

·         2- short sleeve shirts to layer with

·         Fleece

·         Packable winter Parka

·         Rain gear (pants & top)

·         Ziploc bags for packing and organizing

·         Hat for sun/rain

·         Hat for warmth / pretty sarong

·         Warm Gloves

Eating / Drinking

·         Water bottle

·         Stove

·         Fuel (???? Can Take on Plane???)

·         Matches

·         Bowl / cup / utensils / knife

·         Soap / hand sanitizer

·         Snacks per day (chocolate, bread, cheese, wine)

·         Tea / coffee & camp coffee pot?

Personal effects

·         Toothbrush & toothpaste

·         Journal and pencil/pen

·         Spanish phrase book

·         Toilet paper (keep it very light)

·         Chap stick

·         Deodorant / lotion

·         Shampoo & conditioner

·         Facial cleanser

·         Q-tips

·         tweezers

·         Small deodorant

·         Disposable razor

·         Portable makeup

·         Soap for laundry

·         Deck of cards

·         Mole skin

·         3-5 safety pins for repairs

·         Travel washing/drying line

·         Nail clippers

·         2- quick drying camp towels

Misc. preparation:

·     Misc. Spanish phrases

·         Write emergency phone numbers, addresses for postcards, and other reference materials in the back of your writing journal.

·         Print off “Agenda” from Calendar w/ all daily itinerary information re: travel destinations, etc.

**Remember regarding planning for weight of your pack:  you may need to add water or the weight of daily food to your pack.

Smartphone in hand & Ready to Blog on the trail!

Boy, finding a globally capable phone/internet/texting/camera is sure a difficult thing to do!  Thanks AT&T and to Ryan Haney at Connect Wireless in Meridian, Idaho for all his attention to my needs and great service!  It is much more than I can say for Verizon at Eagle/Ustick (whom I already have a phone & contract with, but they wouldn't let me upgrade without paying $600 for a new phone and still had no worthy global plan to offer).

I will be blogging not only for the benefit of my family and friends to keep track of my journey, but also as a FUND RAISER for the Nampa Family Justice Center in Nampa, Idaho.  The NFJC is just beginning the daunting process of expansion in order to open the long awaited Children's Center that provides forensic interviews, exams, and other services for children with domestic violence, abuse and neglect history.  I am asking that people pledge money per mile that I walk (483.6 miles), money per day on the trail (32), or a flat rate for the entire trip.

I will have more information on how you can pledge very soon.

14 days till lift off. . .and still waiting for my passport arrival.

Clearing out 10 years of Law Enforcement

I cleared out what amounted to ten years in law enforcement and walked out the door with only a couple of boxes- bittersweet.  There were so many people who came to bid me farewell on my journey.  I thank you all for your wonderful words, smiles, and tears of support. 

Passport still on its way.

Here is a link that gives a good idea, with words and photos, of what the Camino de Santiago will be like: 
http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/

Passport ENROUTE!

After a bit of a birth certificate glitch, I got all my passport application paperwork to the processing office today.  3 weeks & 2 days until lift-off.