“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.
You must travel it by yourself.
It is not far. It is within reach.
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. 
Perhaps it is everywhere – on water and land.”

-Walt Whitman

I’m all packed to and ready to go! Making my last walk to work before my Camino begins. After I finish my workday today, I’ll be headed to the airport to start my journey. My trip to Portugal will include a layover in Dublin long enough to meet up with “Irish John.” I’ve known John almost my entire Camino career. I have fond memories of him singing for fellow pilgrims at albergues on both of my walks. It’s a fitting way to start my journey by sharing stories over a Guinness with him in Ireland.

I’ll end my long travel day meeting up with another friend in Lisbon. I love that my job and my Camino walks have provided connections for me all over the world. For some the idea of traveling alone to other parts of the world can be nerve wracking, but for me it’s often a chance to connect with friends I haven’t seen in a while.

I’m hopeful that this journey will provide new friendships and connections from other corners of the world.