The exciting world of blogging.....

WOW! another milestone for the Compostella Bellas.... we got our first comment.

It was such a treat to find this nice surprise waiting for me this afternoon when I decided to mozy by and put in today's piece.

Well now I just have to talk about this supportive community of bloggers and online travelers. I am always so grateful to hear words of encouragement and support from total strangers. It rekindles my faith in human kind.

Maybe that's why I (Danielle) love to travel so much. When you're out there in unknown territory you can either be fearful and timid or curious and excited. That's what has worked for me in the past when bazzing about the world - trusting in the goodness and kindness of people. I have been absolutely floored by the generosity and gifts offered during my trips here and there.

That's why I am so looking forward to the Camino in September. This time around I won't just be a backpacker. I'll be a pilgrim. Now I am not particularly drawn by the religious aspect of this pilgrimage but more by the spiritual/connection aspect. Some might argue that they are one in the same. However, at the end of the day, everyone embarks on this journey for their own reasons. My experience will be far richer if I remain open and engage as many pilgrims as possible about their motives.

So I'm sure I'll leave for France with a brain full of poignant questions to ask the beautiful people I'll meet.

What would you ask me if we met on the Camino? Go on....don't be shy :)

18 weeks to go....

We celebrated today's 18 week coundown with our first group walk. Although the rain had been pouring all day - it stopped as we set out on our walk and we had the most brilliant weather. It wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold....it was just right. We took our first Compostela Bella group photo to be sent off to our friends at Keen to pop up on their website. We also had others join us for the walk. It is open to future Camino walkers or just ladies who want to get out walking. We meet every Monday evening at the SunnySide Branch of the Ottawa library at 6:15pm - walking at 6:30pm. This evening we started with a 1:20 minute stroll and will be increasing the distance and cadence as the weeks pass. Most of us walk with Nordic Walking poles but that isn't a requirement. Recommended are: good walking shoes/boots, water, your smile and team spirit.

Walk this way.....

This morning I (Danielle) opted to join a group from Quebec (Quebec a Compostelle) on their first training walk of the season.

I'm so glad I did! It took some convincing to head out on my bike as the rain was looming but ....off I went for the rendez-vous spot.

We were a good bunch of ~ 20 folks. As is often the case I was the youngest of the crowd but I mingled and circulated to ensure I had a good time. Our walk this morning was a short one in preparation of the incremental increases we'll see in the weeks to come. The route in fact is one of my favorites so I relished the new company while soaking up the familar scenery.

There were some interesting stories as some had completed the Camino before. In fact, some have done it on more than one occasion.

The pearl of wisdom that I walked away with (no punn intended) was that rather than finish my walk in Santiago de Compostella I will continue on to the Portugese border. I had tacked on 2 extra weeks to spend time in Portugal so I'll take some of that time to "wind down" away from the crowds. It will also give me an opportunity to experience a part of the hike that is not so "common".

Then once accross the border I can decide where to rest my souls (of my feet that is) and my soul.

VIVE L'AVENTURE!!!!!!

Are we KEEN? ABSOLUTELY!!!

The Camino Quartet is SO pleased to announce we will be training with this fine company and their fine footwear.

Keen Canada has stepped up and offered to lend us a hand for our September adventure. Keen Canada's marketing posse has offered us the privilege of being ambassadors as our journey embodies the “HybridLife” that Keen is championing.

What a great opportunity to collaborate. "Win - Win" indeed!

Here are the pillars of that great program as listed on their site.
What is HybridLife?
HybridLife is a community of people who stand up, out, and for a different way of living, expressing, playing, and caring. It's a way of life. We call it HybridLife

Stand up and act on your inspirations. Creatively express your vision of what is possible. Lead change and solve environmental or social issues in a new, creative way by actively engaging in the outdoors. Be motivated and awed by what is possible.

Stand out and embrace the outdoors in its entirety through active participation. Re-imagine the outdoors as any place without a ceiling. Believe that the far edge of one place is really just the beginning of somewhere else.

Stand for connecting with the world. Engage with causes that make a positive difference around sustainability and the environment through the outdoor experience. Make each choice large and small a considered one.

Again, we are absolutely STOKED to have been invited to join the “HybridLife” team.

My footprint....

While away at a retreat this weekend we were given the opportunity to collaborate on a mural. And in fine Danielle tradition I painted my foot purple and put my print. Now this so called "ritual" of mine first emerged at Outward Bound in New Zealand. It was then that I attempted to symbolize the impact of our environmental footprint. However, this past Sunday when I branded the mural with my purple paw print it wasn't quite with the same intention. I wanted to mark the day and my wish to keep "moving on". Yes I have taken the road less traveled and I look forward to it leading me to the Camino.

My wild women cohorts added the finishing touches to a purple print while kind words and funky colors.

I (Danielle) choose to walk for.....

What an appropriate day to make this announcement.

I know our Quartet has agreed to support the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation when we get financial donations. However, our personal reasons for taking on this walking challenge vary from one woman to the next. We listed some general motives yesterday but today....

I - Danielle Cardinal- would like to announce my intention for the Camino. I will be walking for Mother Earth - Gaia - Mother Nature. I will engage in 1 day of silence per week during my 30 days in order to respect and honor the earth and environment.

I hope you enjoy Earth day in whatever capacity you can. Get out there.

19 weeks to go

WOW! It’s really REAL….19 weeks to go before our flight leaves Montréal for Bordeaux.

How time will fly!

Louise, our fearless ambassador, is speaking with potential sponsors and has been asked on a few occasions, “What’s the Camino?”

Although the Compostella Bellas are well aware of what this adventure entails, others have yet to discover this gem of a journey. Here are some of the details surrounding this pilgrimage.

The Camino de Santiago is a trail, a hike, a pilgrimage, a cultural tour, a historical tour, a physical endeavour and much more.

Some pilgrims leave from various sacred sites in France. Our crew is leaving St. Jean Pied de Port and we will be covering just short of 800km (~787km). We anticipate needing ~30 days to arrive in Santiago de Compostella and this will involve walking 30-31 stages ranging from 18 to 30 km a day. We will be traveling through 7 regions in Northern Spain.

The “high season” is typically May through August. Therefore, we have opted to walk in September. This ensures that the trail will be more pleasant to experience with fewer people, cooler weather and more variety for accommodation.

Now the reasons why people complete this pilgrimage are as equally diverse as the different countries represented on the hike. Here are some of our reasons:

Spiritual exploration and discovery
Physical challenge
Mental challenge
Traditional pilgrimage (religious)
Visiting 2 beautiful countries
Meeting people from ALL over the world
Immersion in French and Spanish culture

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and it will be our pleasure to discuss our upcoming odyssey.

First Paulo Pilgrimage pointer...

As I enjoy reading my first Camino text, I realize how fortunate we are to be embarking on this journey.

Although this adventure is becoming more and more mainstream with visitors streaming in from all over the world. I consider myself pretty darn lucky to be taking this time at this stage in my life. I will be away from "life" for 8 weeks. I will be given this gem of an opportunity to journey on behalf of others as well as myself. WOW! What a privilege!

So back to senior Paulo's book. First chapter had great themes such as: the fear of the unknown, deciding to leave the "daily grind" and taking those first steps on the hike.

These are the quotes from the books that I would like to share with you.

"When you are moving toward an objective, it is very important to pay attention to the road. It is the road that teaches us the best way to get there, and the road enriches us as we walk its length." (p. 41)

The practice above allows us to extract the secrets from what we are used to seeing everyday. Our routine is the culprit to never fully seeing. (p.41)

And this beautiful people is my favorite thus far.
"Try to find pleasure in a speed that you're not used to. Changing the way you do routine things allows a new person to grow inside of you." (p.43)

I'll share more....I promise

"Those who wander are not always lost."

"It's REALLY going to happen"

says Jubilant Jan in her latest email confirming her flight reservations.

My reply, "DAMN SKIPPY!"

There you have it friends, our last two Compostela Bellas have booked their flight and there's no turning back!

The exciting news continues as Louise is out there making those important phone calls and reaching the important & generous sponsors in Ottawa.

Thank you in advance to those considerate individuals who are lending their support and encouragement. You fuel our fire and our drive!

If you are interested in offering financial or moral support please do not hesitate to contact us at lacompostelle@gmail.com

We invite you to rally around us as we prepare for this grand adventure and help a worthy cause in the process. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is the cause we've chosen to champion.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Will keep you posted! Watch this space!

Readin' up

Well I picked it up yesterday...

My copy of Paulo Cuelho's "The Pilgrimage". Interesting themes to discuss and explore with you all.

Watch this space!

The countdown is ON!

Here's the latest and greatest about the Camino Quartet....

Half of us have purchased our tickets WOO HOO!

You guessed it, I'm (Danielle) one of the two who's booked and ready to go for Sept. 1st, 2008.

That's right Montréal to Bordeaux is our milestone flight before the "big hike". And as of yesterday, Monday, April 14th, 2008 there were 20 weeks remaining.

Oh! watch this space for the weekly countdown and updates about our progress with fundraising and training.

I have been walking about with my Nordic Walking poles for a few months now and boy oh boy do I get some funny looks. I have even had the occasional "drive by" comment like "You forgot your skies!".

C'mon people! It's Nordic Walking. Scandinavia's all about Nordic Walking and look how fit they are. I reckon they're onto something. Ah! the trials and tribulations of being a trendsetter I suppose.

So join us on the journey leading up to our departure for the Camino. We invite your questions, comments, suggestions and encouraging words.

Thank you pilgrims!

Let the games BEGIN............

Alright! so our numbers have decreased but I can assure you our enthusiasm hasn't.

We are 4 determined and driven women embarking on this journey to the Camino.

We are working closely with Royal LePage Shelter Foundation to raise awareness, raise funds and get us moving in the right direction.

We are fortunate to have some tremendous support and helpers encouraging us as we prepare for this grand adventure.

Special mention goes out to Louise Renaud who will be the voice for our Camino Quartet. She will be speaking to a number of you to discuss how you can get involved with this project.

We look forward to collaborating with you as we count down the days to our departure on Sept. 1, 2008.

How many sleeps is that you ask?

Far too little if you ask me!

Off we go - training, fun-Raising and dreaming of the Camino!