Practical
I have been busy up until now purchasing the tickets, and researching further for the pilgrimage, and now that I've finally bought them, it's becoming something very real that I'm both very excited and actually quite trepid about!
Since 14th April, I've announced at work, that I will be leaving the company I have worked for as a temp for the past year and three months, on 18th June 2010! Apparantly, there's going to be a big bash that evening, so if any of you reading are fellow employees, come along and join the party ;) It would be great to see you there. Location tbc but date definitely 18th June!
I've bought my flight tickets - which really was a bit of a joke! As a pilgrim, I want to spend that time truly touching base with God and my faith. I'm there to pray - in particular for the soul of my Grandad who I call Abuelito, and I also hope to become inspired to compose/write some liturgical and Christian music whilst I'm there. This means... bringing a guitar. You'd think it wouldn't be that much of a problem bringing a guitar onto the plane, but what a joke that has become. There is only one flight operator that connects London to Biarritz (the closest airport to St Jean Pied de Port) and Santiago de Compostela to London... and that's Ryanair. After much research, I had to purchase two seats PLUS pay an extra £40 for the privelage of bringing a musical instrument onto the plane with me as opposed to putting it in the hold. Altogether, that cost me £181 - for my flight to France alone. After much debate with my parents, I decided that I have to leave the guitar in Spain - either with a Pilgrim stranger that might want it, or with my cousins who don't live too far from Santiago. So having decided to depart with the guitar when I'll have probably developed a 'special bond' with it, my return flight cost £72. I depart London on 21st June, and return back on 26th July.
Over the next 2 weeks, I need to look into rucksacks, and items such as sewing kits, medical supplies, lightweight gear, and (now don't get angry at me) the match schedules for the World Cup. How fitting I will be in Spain, supporting Spain for the World cup this year - who at the moment are favourites to win this great tournament! I'll need to purchase a shirt at some point me thinks :)
Physical
For the past two weeks, I've been very poor at keeping up with my fitness routine to help prepare me for this pilgrimage physically. So I promise to make more of an effort with that in the next 4 weeks! I have to be able to carry this guitar 780km after all! Up until 3 weeks ago, I was jogging in the mornings, and attending the conditioning classes at my gym. I'm going to have to get into that routine again! By the way, there are multiple routes of El Camino. I'll be walking the Camino Frances.
Spiritual
I've been asked by friends 'So what has brought this pilgrimage idea on?!'. Well, the answer to that consists of three main things:
- Plenary Indulgence for the soul of my Abuelito. Grandad was a good man, and as long as I have known him, I have never heard that he has done any bad to anyone. But after his death in February this year, I wanted to help in having his sins forgiven, and to help make his time in Purgatory as little as possible. El Camino is something that is alive where my Grandparents live, as he and Grandma used to see pilgrims walking by their house sometimes during the warmer months, so it isn't something new to the whole family. It is also a Holy Year this year, which means the Plenary Indulgence is granted as a Jubilee Indulgence.
- Lost in the confusion that is our consumerist, capitalist society. The time I felt closest to God was during my university days - in particular when I was living at Bradford Chaplaincy. I'd lost my faith at the age of 16 but I found it again through the blessing I know as the choir at the Chaplaincy, the first Sunday I was at Bradford Uni. My communications with him were solid, regular/often, and lived out in my everyday life. Since moving back to London, I've lost most that connection, and spirituality (now, attending Mass every Sunday just doesn't seem to be enough), and I miss it quite dearly. London is such a busy and bustling place, that it is so easy to forget sometimes that God exists. I become too busy to pray daily, essentially putting God after earthly living. So I hope to spend this dedicated month in a state of grace, prayer and self-reflection so that I return with a renewed and invigorated faith, and possibly a new outlook on life and some direction about my career.
- This is the right time in my life for me to go. I do not have any big financial commitments such as rent or mortgage, I do not have a family of my own to be responsible for yet, and employment-wise, I'm in a position where taking 25+ working days off is do-able as I'm not signed into any permanent contract. This time in my life is perfect for this pilgrimage, and quitting my job is of little sacrifice to the abundant graces I'm about to receive from this pilgrimage. The next Holy Year is in 11 years time, so it would be wonderful to experience it this year, and maybe a few more times in the years to come before settling down.
I've decided I'm going to bring necessary information regarding hostels with me, and just let the Holy Spirit guide me whilst there, as opposed to planning exactly where I will stay and when. That's such a strange concept for me, considering I'm a veracious planner! I plan everything... so this will be a frightening change. The only thing I plan for in this trip are four truths: My physical journey must start. My physical journey must end. I will spend a couple of rest days in Leon and Burgos. And I will encounter God. For that time I'm there on my own, I place my life in His hands.
I am praying for those currently walking El Camino - whether they are of faith, or not. If you are of faith, please pray for me too... that I may be successful in fulfilling the three conditions of being granted the Plenary Indulgence for my Grandad, and that preparations for my walk will be completed for the glory of God.
You
Generally, people are interested in my journey, and that's why I've created this blog. I hope to update it whenever I can whilst on El Camino with my thoughts and encounters along the way, visual assets such as photos and video, as well as lists of people that I have thought and prayed about. Although I will be praying for myself, I wish to pray for all that I have known in the past, friends and family of my present, and the people who are to come in my future. So... an open invitation: If anyone would like me to pray for them, or for a particular intention, don't hesitate to email, call, text, or let me know in person. My email address specifically created for my pilgrimage is pilgrimclaz@gmail.com.
If you just want to contact me for any reason at all - it doesn't have to be religious, please do email me. I'll do my best to respond whilst on my journey.
I'm having a BBQ which will tie in with my 'annual BBQ' the weekend of 12/13 June. This will be an opportunity for us to chill, to chat, talk more about El Camino, make any requests, say goodbye, or simply enjoy some amazing food! And hey... my house isn't going to be filled with 'Jesus-lovers' as you might think! Everyone is welcome as long as my home and everyone in it is respected.
Much love, all.
Claz.
