El Camino de Thomas: T-40 days and hit my first snags

El Camino de Thomas

This blog is about my planning, preparation, and completion of El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is a major Catholic pilgrimage. In September of 2009, I plan on taking Camino Frances which will take me about 800km on foot from St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

In the last few years, three of my friends have lost their battles with depression. My Camino is in fond remembrance of them. Not only is this journey for personal reasons, but it's also to raise awareness and money for suicide prevention. Please visit First Giving to make a secure and tax-deductible donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Each dollar given will not only go towards research and prevention, but will serve to encourage me upon what will certainly prove to be a trying journey.

It doesn't matter how much or how little you give, just that you do. By giving anything, even $1.00, you're not only showing support for me on my trip, but helping a very worthwhile cause.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

T-40 days and hit my first snags

1) The minor snag: do they not make diaper pins anymore? Did some baby take one and go ballistic with it or put his eye out? Couldn't find them at Walmart or Target.
2) Either the contact form on the Refuge Orisson website doesn't work or the guy doesn't read his email very often. Either way, it took 2 form submissions and one email (which I found on a forum) to get a reply. And the reply is that they're booked for 9/27. Of course, that's the day that L'Espirit du Chemin closes for the season too. Zoiks.

So...I need to either hop off the 9:39 am train, get my stamp, and head all the way to Roncesvalles, spend $226 for a night in the hotel in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and head for Roncesvalles early (and well rested), or ... ? Suggestions anyone?

3 Comments:

At August 17, 2009 at 10:12 AM , Cop's Wife said...: They still make diaper pins. How many do you need? I'm sure I have some around here. Or try Babies R Us maybe. What do you need them for?
At August 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM , Tohams said...: If my hand-washed clothes don't dry overnight (notably, the socks), I'll need to pin them to my pack and use my pack as a drying rack as I walk. Diaper pins would be much easier to deal with.
At August 17, 2009 at 1:19 PM , Rita said...: You can find the pins at any sewing store, also.
Bummer about Orrison being booked.
Did you ask for recommendations in the forum? I am sure someone there can help with a room cheaper than $220.
Good Luck
Less than 3 weeks and I will be on the Camino!! YIKES!!

El Camino de Thomas

Sunday, August 16, 2009

T-40 days and hit my first snags

3 Comments:

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