7 days and 22 hours to go. Things are getting pretty serious now. The last of my preparations have to be done tonight as I am off to uni in the morning and will head straight to Sydney afterwards.
My backpack is 2kg heavier than expected which is pretty significant when it's on your back for at least 30 days. I realised that my hoodie is 500g heavier than Geoff's so he has just sacrificed his! I'm really not sure what else I can cut. It's 30 degrees in Pamplona today and most of the next week so I won't be wearing most of my clothes so that won't help. Mind you my socks are pretty thick and I wear them with a liner - just putting them on might help.
Technology helps and hinders. I have all my maps etc on my iPhone instead of paper. I've also downloaded guide and phrase books onto it. On the other hand I have to carry chargers and the solar panel so that adds weight (not as much though). I've seen hikers put their solar panels on their hats and that looks like a good idea so I will see whether it works.
I've had my hair cut today too. Almost short back and sides - I didn't think the hairdresser would agree to do it at one stage. She was mourning all the curls. I assured her they would grow back but she seemed unconvinced.
Funnily I haven't worried much about the walk itself but I am getting nervous. It's occurred to me strongly that not only have I never been to Europe, I've never taken a significant holiday by myself nor been to a country where no one else speaks the language. My general strategy is not to look at barriers if I can't change them and just focus on getting to the goal but eventually you do have to listen to the voices in your head - even if just long enough to tell them to shut up! On the other hand I'm close enough to be able to say that I'm pretty nervous without having to worry that I might talk myself out of going now.
And it will be so new for me to make all my own choices and all based on exactly what I want to do. I wonder if five weeks is long enough to undo the conditioning of a lifetime? I'll get back to you!
Hi Mary, don't worry about the curls, they will grow back....I often think about cutting all mine off too just to try out a new look. Very sensible to have it really short for the trip - less to worry about.
ReplyDeleteOn another note if you add the LABELS gadget to your blog then when you add labels to each post they will appear as an index on the side panel. Good to see the blog concept is working for you
and might I also say it's an interesting read, and well written...you have a hidden writing talent.
Hey Mar, ooh how exciting.. send me a pic of the haircut! This time next week the great journey will have begun, and I can't wait to hear about it. This so cool!
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