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.