Trail Training

Camino moment

Yesterday, I went to Ellena Gallegos open space for my training.

While waiting to get my annual pass, I saw a lady wearing a blue tee shirt with a yellow arrow! She was walking towards my side of the car.

I said, "buen camino! Did you do the walk?"

"Yes, I did it 2 years ago. There is a meeting this afternoon about the camino if you want to come."

I gave her my name and email. In the afternoon, I was in good company with people in this city who have done the camino.

What can I say? The camino is calling loud and clear!

Training

This is my training ground. Pino trail out of Ellena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I got my hiking shirts and pants this weekend.

Yes, my budget is tight but God will provide!

For the Greater Good

I hope to follow the footsteps of Dr. Gerard and do my Camino for the cancer patients.

Faith

Finally got my trekking poles today!

I call them Faith!

JC

I name my walking stick JC, Jesus Christ.

I walk with Jesus, God is with me!

The Bible and the Stone

I found a Bible yesterday.

Thanks to my Sister Vic, she reminded me that if I want to talk to God, read the Bible.

When I went to the bookstore, Jesus guided me to this one.

When I saw the word "backpack", I knew this is it.

God wil provide.

Jesus walks with me.

The stone is from our backyard.

It will go with me to Cruz de Ferro where it will join thousands of other stones left by pilgrims.

Why

I guess it is important to know I am doing this journey.

1. I am a burnout physician. I need a sabbatical.

2. I want to have a heart to heart talk with God without the distractions of daily living.

3. I want to know what was the original plan. Why do I have to learn in this lifetime?

My Mini Camino

It is 80 degrees today.
I came home, changed, picked up my backpack and walking stick, went for my mini Camino.
The holy place is the Catholic Church in the neighborhood.
I was self conscious.

Yes, you should be. Walking in the neighborhood with a backpack and a walking stick!

When I got to the front of the church, a car pulled in.
I pulled out my iphone, to shoot or not to shoot?
What would the person in the car think?
"A guy with a backpack and a walking stick taking a picture of my church?"
Yeah. yeah, it is the demon that I had to fight, worrying about what other people would think.
I positioned my iphone and took a picture.

My backpack is about 5 kg, that's the weight I hope to carry without water and food.
This is my fourth outing with a backpack. I am feeling stronger and stronger.
Just keep training!

Happy Day

Today is a happy day.

My guidebook arrived.

Later today, my new backpack will come.

Camino is calling loud and clear.

Some extra money will come next week.

I can buy my trekking poles and maybe hiking shirts and pants!

Life is good.

Thank you Heavenly Father.

What happened to Tai Chi Chuan and photography?

Training Day

I put on my new sock liner and smart wool sock today.

I carried my study material and walked to the library.

It was like hitting 2 birds with one stones.

When I received the email from the library this morning that my reserved camino book is available, I knew what to do for today.

Tomorrow, my GoLite Jam 36 backpack is coming.

My guidebook is also coming.

Well, that is really something to look forward to!

When I returned from the library, I washed the liner right away and hung it outside.

In 2 hours, it was completely dry.

I am sold. I will go back and buy 3 more pairs!

On facebook today, I saw the attached photo. Yes, it is good to be in relationship with God. 

I spoke to Him every morning.

Well, you kept buying staff, what happens if you cannot make the trip?

You left the Catholic Church many years ago, do you remember?

Scale

Yes, i bought the scale.

Actually this morning, I was thinking of plan B, C and D.

I listed other trips that I can do.

I put down the reasons why I would do each trip.

I was attracted to the notion that there is trip where I can visit friends and family.

Then I read Father Kevin Cobb's book, Field of Stars.

I was directed back to this Camino trip.

This is for me.

This is a time for myself.

Part of the reason why I am burnout is that I forgot to take care of myself.

So, i want to do this trip.

This is a chance to have a conversation with God and myself.

So, how many times will you change back and forth?

Obsessed

Last night,

I watched

The Way

for the second time.

Every morning

when I wake up,

Camino

is the first thing

in my mind.

Yesterday,

I met a patient

who used to teach

how to use

a trekking pole.

It is a sign

for me to buy

the pole

after work

today.

Remember you promised your friend Edy that you want to see him this year?

The Walk

Today I loaded up my backpack, put on my hiking boots, grabbed my walking stick and went for a walk. A very short version of "The Camino".

The stick is not bad, just need to change hands from time to time. My mind kept telling me to get the trekking poles, "it will be more balanced".

The total weight of the backpack is about 11 lbs or 5 Kg. I do feel the weight. I guess I need to carry it more often.

I also did an experiment with camera. Since I will definitely be carrying my iphone, why not use it as my camera too. So I brought three cameras, my Nikon D3100, Nikon Coolpix and iphone. Below are the results.

 

iphone

 

Coolpix

 

D3100

 

 

 

I guess the picture with iphone is not bad, Besides, when there is a WiFi connection, I can also update this blog.

 

 

You are not sure yet if this is going to happen. Do not spend money on things that will just be sitting around if the trip does not materialize. Glad you did not buy the scale.

Weighing

I have many reasons to travel light. My bad back, flat foot and left knee injury.

That's my Down filled vest that weighs 400 gm.

My goal is to limit to 5 Kg or 11 lbs. That means I have to buy a light backpack, use a sleeping bag liner instead of bringing a sleeping bag. It is also almost certain that my DSLR Nikon D3100 will have to stay at home. The goal is clear, complete the walk, by all means. I understand that the light my load the higher is the chance for me to complete the mission :-)

So, you are still going? Didn't you entertain the idea of going to Taiwan for one month?

Nikon vs Nikon

One of the challenge right now is which camera to bring. One is a Nikon D3100 and the other is a point and shot Nikon Coolpix. For the trip, the biggest concern is their weight. The Coolpix definitely weigh a lot less than the D3100.

How about the quality of the shots? Can you tell?

Back and forth, back and forth, remember, your lower back pain, your flat foot, your torn meniscus! Your body is more important. Listen to your body! That's what you tell your patients. remember?

Well, all readings about the Camino just make me want to hike this weekend. I have the boots, I have a backpack, I have a stick. Let me walk the foothills this weekend and bring the Nikon Coolpix and see what happens.

Shopping

Today, I went for a window shopping. I went to REI, my "candy store".

It is months before your trip, why are you shopping now? You are even sure that the trip will happen.

Anyway, as I was saying, I was a boy in the candy store. Sleeping bag, backpack, wool socks, raincoat, convertible pants, trekking poles, money bag... Well, it is going to cost some money. I did buy the lottery ticket yesterday after I filled up the gas tank. I am not asking for a lot, one million dollars will be enough!

I also bought another kindle book today. A Million Steps. Another person's journey through the Camino. This is the third. I read Bill Bennett's "The Way, My Way". I also read Shirley McLaine's "My Camino". Bill was dealing with his painful knee. Shirley was dealing with her pain as an actress and her past lives. Kurt was dealing with his father and his girlfriend.

What will I be dealing with? My past relationships? My parents? My burnout job as a physician?

Another challenge is: what to bring? Camera or no camera? Notebook or no notebook?

Remember the travel light book? Do you really need a camera? You are flatfooted. You injured your left meniscus. Travel light! Do not bring those. Travel light!

But I am a photographer, I will regret it if I am not able to capture those beautiful images. I also need a notebook to write down my thought, maybe poems! I can manage. Worst case scenario, I will take the bus or taxi.

To bring or not to bring.

Introduction

I am a burnout physician. My specialty is Family Medicine. These days, seeing patients is just like going through the motions. Yes, I understand it is also because I am getting ready for my board exam in 24 days. But even before that, I was burnout.

I made some changes this year. I cut down my hours to 3.5 days a week. I learned Tai Chi Chuan. I returned to playing golf. I tried to meditate. I think it is still not enough.

Last year, I saw a facebook friend mentioned about Camino de Santiago. Later, I watch the movie. Recently, as I dream of getting a three month sabbatical, the idea of doing a walk in Camino de Santiago returned. I got some kindle books and started reading and dreaming.

So what is this blog called "A Conversation with Ben"?
I guess if I do get to do it, I will have a long conversation with myself. Actually, it started now.

Why are you thinking about doing it? Why are you doing a blog again? Don't you remember that you started quite a few blogs and did not finish or continue?

My friends, that was Ben. I believe I will continue to hear that voice.

Anyway, I found a great book by Bill Bennett, "The Way, My Way". He has a great sense of humor. It has been a while that I was laughing while reading a kindle book. I made a review of the book in Amazon. I also found his website for photography. I left a comment there too. Before I went to bed last night, I told myself that if he writes me an email, it will be a sign that I should do the walk. Guess what, I got an email from him this morning!

So, this will be the beginning of a new journey.