All About Packing…No, All About Weight…No, All About Priorites

One of the first things that my friends have asked of me is: “Jan, how can you pack for three weeks in that backpack!”  Goooooood Question!  The Camino is supposed to be life changing but preparing for the Camino has been a life-changing experience in itself.

Being a southerner headed out on a trip to Spain the very first thing that would enter my suitcase no matter what size the suitcase was is my pearls.  A strand of pearls help the most difficult spots or days and in they would go.  Next would be a few bits of make-up and scented shampoo. You get the drift of what is important to me. Those items haven’t even made the pack yet and I am VERY near the magical weight limit.  I am judging everything by its weight down to the ounce.

The new “Camino Jan” first put in a sleeping bag for those nights in tiny hotels where heat is not always present.  Then I added my raincoat, rainpants(yes, I now am the owner of rainpants),gators and a rain poncho that covers me and my pack.  Are you getting the drift? Survival is coming first.

I don’t have one cotton item in my pack. Everything dries quickly; sheds rain or keeps me warm or it is NOT in the pack. I judge everything by its weight and durability and functionality.

Today is Valentine’s Day.  I almost wept for joy when Ernest gave me a new sleeping bag that weighs almost a pound less than my current bag.  Along with the sleeping bag came bug repellant to keep bed bugs out.  Did I mention that this is life-changing?  And, we are doing this with joy and anticipation!!!!

Buen Camino!