Christmas Wish List

Please tell me that I'm not the only one that is asked every year for my Christmas Wish List, you know the list I'm talking about - right? It's the list where you're suppose to mark everything you would like to receive from your loved ones this Christmas. Systematically each family member checks off what they are going to buy you, with the rule of thumb being to vary your gift requests to be able to touch different price ranges. For instance the more expensive gifts are usually covered by my parents and grandparents; whereas the gift card type gifts - iTunes, Starbucks and others - are usually tackled by my siblings. My family truly believes that this is the best Christmas shopping method as it ensures that everyone gets what they want. It also minimizes the painful shopping experience; you know the one where you walk around the mall for hours hoping to receive some type of divine gift inspiration that will allow you  to find that perfect gift. The wish list solves all the problems that surround the Christmas gift giving tradition. There's just one little problem - I hate making a wish list! Every year I have the intention of making a list, but as I get closer and closer to Christmas I realize that I never took the time to actually write it - and the items that I may have thought of including I've already bought for myself. Meaning every year my Wish List essentially looks the same:

• Calendar
• Perfume
• White Ankle Cut Sports Socks
• iTunes Gift Card
• Tea / Coffee Gift Card

Wild gift options I know! Truth be told I want much more than this, but the reality is that my friends and family members can't get me what's on my real Wish List. What I want for Christmas this year is for "us" to do better and for "us" to be better with one another! So here's my Wish List for doing and being better this Christmas and in 2014 - thank you for any amount of effort you're able to contribute to make these desires become realities!

I Want To Have My Plans Interrupted!

Like many people I'm pretty comfortable and set in my ways. I have my routines and I'm thrown off guard when these routines are disturbed. My life is safe and comfortable and yet what I learned this past summer, is that when I surrender control, step out of my comfort zone and ultimately allow my plans to be interrupted, then there are great and exciting things waiting for me that far exceed anything that I could have imagined. I want my plans to be interrupted. I want to be willing to listen to my heart and walk away from my routine commitments if that's where I feel I'm being led!

I Want To Appreciate Every Moment in 2014

Let's face it, many of us live extremely busy lives and I for one don't take nearly enough time to appreciate the moment that I presently find myself in. Instead, I'm often anticipating the next step, which means that dismiss the goodness of the present moment. I'd be a liar if I said that I didn't have dreams and things that I want to achieve in the future. It's good to have a goal and work towards that goal - but we can't lose sight if the fact that joy can be found in the journey towards achieving that goal. I don't want to get so caught up in the rat race of life, where I run from goal to goal that I fail to appreciate the steps and the moments that brought me towards that achievement. I want to appreciate every moment this coming year and take nothing for granted!

I Want People To Be Valued, Not Treated Like Objects in 2014

People were created to be loved and things were created to be used. And yet we live in a world where things are being loved and 27 million people are being misused and abused. Far too many people are being careless either with themselves and/or with one another - socially, morally, emotionally and sexually. Every 30 seconds someone is being bought, sold and/or ordered like you would for any object - but that someone isn't an object they're a person. Modern slavery is about people; and the way we choose to fight this terrible injustice must also be about people! I want 2014 be the year where we stop "tolerating" that people be treated like objects and start fighting in a way that will allow the hopes, dreams, dignity and most importantly freedom of these individuals to be restored. 

I Want Education To Be Valued in 2014

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affords each individual the right to a primary school education, but I wish the right afforded every person to: a quality and successful educational experience. Consequently, provincial governments would be required to take the alarming student and teacher dropout rates more seriously and come up with real solutions. So while I am thankful for my right to education and that of my students, I'm not satisfied with the fact that in some places nearly 30% of the student and teacher population are opting out of this right. Let me break it down a little and explain what these issues look like in Quebec. Right now in the province of Quebec graduation rates sits at about 70% - meaning that for a variety of reasons many youth are entering adulthood "at-risk" of experiencing all sorts of challenges. And what has been the Quebec government's response?  They have: cut funding, pulled certain resources and focused their attention on other pressing topics - have you heard about our "charte des valeurs." In turn, the demands of teaching have increased to the point where teacher burnout / dropout rates now sit at nearly 30%. Honestly, in 2014 I want my government to care more about what's in my students' head then what's on it and provide teachers with enough resources to reach every student without compromising their own health. 

I Want To Say Goodbye To Health Problems in 2014

This past year has been marked with a number of health problems for my family! I am eternally grateful for the nurses and doctors who cared for my Baba in her final days, for the team of doctors who helped my step-mom battle Breast Cancer, for the doctor that finally helped my dad quit smoking and for the team of doctors and nurses that are caring for my mom right now as I type this blog! I want 2014 to be the year where researchers find cures for cancer and early detection for cardiac diseases! I want people to take their health seriously and do whatever is necessary to either get or stay healthy!

I know that what I'm asking for at first glance is seemingly impossible, but like Nelson Mandela once said: "It always seems impossible until it's done!" I'm hoping that 2014 will be the year where we can check off some of the items on this list!

- Merry Christmas & All the best in 2014! 

I Buy Coffee, Not People!

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can." 

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Has anyone else noticed that when placing an order - be it at a coffee shop or our favourite restaurant - we have an array of options to choose from? Take coffee for instance, short, tall, light, extra whip cream, cold, extra hot, fair-trade... Often times I stare at the barista with a dazed look on my face hoping that he/she will realize that I just want a basic caffeine fix. This doesn't just happen at coffee shops, have you ordered a pizza lately? Thin crust, thick crust, low-fat cheese, dairy-free cheese, organic flour, veggies, meat...The options are endless. These days you can pretty much order anything and have it customized just the way you want. This goes for: clothes, cars, computers, food, beverages, and sadly in Montreal (and in other cities) GIRLS! Notice that I didn't say women, because sadly the sex-trade often preys on girls as young as 12-years old (The A21 Campaign). 

Last weekend I just happened to come across an article in La Presse that named Montreal as the number one sex-tourism destination in North America. Shocking, but the situation can't be that bad right? I mean we are still talking about a Canadian city? In Montreal alone, there are between 3000-4000 girls and young women being sex-trafficked within the city and to Ontario (Toronto Sun). As Pascale Philibert explains in the article, it's come to a point that "In Montreal, you can order a girl like a pizza. You want her tall, blonde, thin, with breasts size B or D, and half an hour later, the girl is delivered to you. It's as easy as that!" When I read this I was shocked and disgusted. Even now, one week later, this reality brings tears to my eyes. Under no circumstances is this okay or should it ever be considered okay.

By now I'm sure some of you are thinking to yourselves that these women have chosen to become escorts, dancers, "masseuse" and prostitutes. And for some, this might be true. But I wonder what factors caused them to first enter the sex-trade industry? Was it poverty, a lack of education, a drug addiction, do they have children to feed? Anyone of these socio-economic factors can make people feel very desperate, and desperate people are willing to do just about anything to change their situation - even sell themselves. I have spent a great deal of time working with young people and I have never heard any of them say: "When I grow-up, I want to be trafficked..." Or, "When I grow-up, I want to be sold and delivered like a pizza..." The truth of the matter is, for many girls and young women their involvement in the sex-trade industry isn't a choice. And their "decision" to silently remain in this industry is caused by a combination of physical, emotional, and psychological chains, thus making it seemingly impossible to leave. 

It's alright to buy coffee, pizza, clothes, cars, music, computers; these objects are commodities, designed to be sold, bought and used. But people are not commodities. People were not created to be used, abused or sold. People were created from love and were created to love and be loved. And yet today, in 2013, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal "industry" worldwide, with its over 27 million victims (The A21 Campaign). There are countries and cities that openly support this disgusting industry by creating "tolerance zones" (e.g., proposed by Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough) and "sex-boxes" (e.g., Zurich, Switzerland). And just like with any industry, these supporting countries can earn the reputation as the world's top exporting, importing and even tourist destination for the human trafficking industry!

I don't want to live in a province where its most iconic city is known globally as the best sex-tourism destination. I don't want to live in a province where women can be dehumanized and ordered like a pizza or a cup of coffee. And I certainly don't want to live in a province that tolerates the sexual exploitation and abuse of young girls and women. Instead, I want to be known as the province that takes a stand against human trafficking and that sees it abolished in the 21st century. I want to be known as the province that denounces - not tolerates - human trafficking by shouting to anyone that will listen: "People are not for sale!"

So how do we do that? How do we become the generation that sees human trafficking abolished - both locally and globally? If we want to see an end to human trafficking, we must shed light on the issue and bring it out of the darkness and into people's attention. In other words, we need to stop pretending like this problem doesn't exist, and start raising our voices for the voiceless. Ignoring the problem, or worse, pretending like it doesn't exist, won't make it go away!

We have so many different ways to raise our voices: Email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Blogger - the list goes on! What if every time we ordered a coffee or a pizza we prayed for the people being trafficked around Quebec, Canada, and the world? And, since we all love posting pictures of our favourite foods and drinks, what if we posted a picture of our coffee or pizza (or whatever we ordered) reminding people and especially public officials (i.e., Prime Ministers, Presidents, Members of Parliament) that: "We buy coffee, NOT people!" or "We order pizza, NOT people!" 

If we're serious about ending human trafficking, then we need to start by shedding light on the topic. I for one am committing myself to Praying and Posting whenever I place an order as a sign that I will not remain silent in the face of this social injustice!

How about you?

Here's a few people you might wish to include if you're posting a photo!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: @pmharper
President Barack Obama: @BarackObama 
Pauline Marois, Première ministre du Québec: @partiquebecois
Philippe Couillard, Chef du parti liberal: @phcouillard 
Denis Coderre, Candidat à la marie de Montreal: @DenisCoderre
Canadian MP's on Twitter

Will I Be Someone that Speaks-up? Stands-up? Or, Shuts-up?

I've always been a bit intense, determined, and passionate. There have been times when this drive was somewhat unhealthy; for instance, when I would be training on the treadmill at the St. Denis Centre (University of Windsor) and I would see someone running at a faster speed than me, I would increase my speed just a wee bit so as to not be outdone. There were also my silent dinners with my grandma following a basketball game loss. You see, my grandma was probably my biggest basketball fan and in the dead of winter she would take a Greyhound bus 6 hours (roundtrip) to come watch me play. Often after a game she would take me for dinner and if we had lost the game, you could be sure that I wouldn't say a word, except to say how I would right the situation in the next game, until the end of our shared dessert. Then there are the healthy examples, such as when I worked at camp I would get fired up about our "at-risk" campers and how we could make their one week at camp the best experience ever for them. I can remember being a case worker at a group home for Child and Family Services and I regularly felt like I was having my heart ripped out every time I heard a gut-wrenching tale of abuse. It's there I decided I had to do everything possible to work with these type of youth once I became a teacher. This passion, ultimately helped me get involved with the Muskoka Woods Leadership Program while at Grad School, and drove me to essentially complete an internship with the school board and write a 300+ page thesis.... Again, intensity, determination and passion have marked many of my life's decisions and actions.

Anyone who knows me would say that Social Action has always been important to me. A friend of mine often asks, "What are you doing to change the world this week?" I usually answer that I'm not doing anything extraordinary, I'm just trying to be faithful and give back to my community in ways that have been placed on my heart and with the gifts that have been given to me. I'm not sharing these things with you to toot my own horn, but rather show you that I've always been someone who gets fired up easily when I feel passionate about something; this way you won't mistake what's been stirring in my heart for the past 2 years as a "Camino" moment that will pass in a few weeks once school starts back-up!

Two years ago I watched a documentary called: Nafarious, Merchant of Souls and truth be told I haven't been the same since. The documentary looks at the disturbing trends of sex-trafficking, an atrocity that isn't just happening over there in Eastern Europe and in Asian countries, but that is happening in Canada, the US and across the world. In fact, there are approximately 27 million victims of human trafficking worldwide (The A21 Campaign); with over 43% of all victims being sexually trafficked (UN Global Compact Fact Sheet). There are countries where this systematic abuse is happening out in the open, while in other countries its more hidden, to the point where the public wouldn't dare suspect that this is happening in their neighbourhood. Slowly I've been becoming more informed and sensitive to the issue, but unfortunately until recently, I never felt that it was necessarily my cause to fight for. And then, I started hiking across Spain! I remember hiking into big cities - but especially in Léon - and seeing giant billboards as you entered the city featuring a young woman, probably no older than 16 years-old wearing very little and positioned very seductively and written in two different languages below this girl was:"For a sexy night in the hottest city call..." I was disgusted to the point where I can no longer ignore this problem! That young woman could have been one of my students - and more importantly she is someone's daughter.

When I hear stories about young girls systematically being taken, then sold and raped 30-40 times per day, my heart breaks and I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. But what can I do? I'm simply one person.... As a teacher, I try to encourage my students to not use this as an excuse for not doing the right thing; so why should I? Edward Everett Hale (1902?) once said: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something...What I can do, I should do..."

Last year when studying the problem of bullying with my grade 8's I told them that when they see, hear and learn about cases of bullying in our school they have 3 realistic options:

• Option 1: Speak-up for the cause/victim.
• Option 2: Stand-up for the cause/victim.
• Option 3: Shut-up and let the problem continue. 

In all honesty our society is faced with these same 3 options in response to the problem of human and sex trafficking! In 2003, the United Nations implemented the Palermo Protocol, which outlines 20 Articles aimed at Preventing (speaking-up) and Protecting (standing-up) people from human trafficking, as well as Prosecuting (standing-up) the perpetrators of these heinous violations of human rights. Carol Brusca (2011) has examined the effectiveness of this UN protocol and adds that educating and making people aware of the stories and the issue will be the cornerstone to preventing (and eventually ending) human trafficking in 21st century. Nowhere is it suggested that society turn a blind eye and pretend like the problem of slavery is a thing of the past and no longer exists!

I for one can no longer choose to look the other way and ignore this issue! So, I'm going to choose to speak-up and stand-up, which is why you've probably seen some different Facebook quotes in recent days! Getting involved will look different for each person. My friends that live in Winnipeg's West-End, where sadly a lot of juvenile prostitution takes place, have motion lights and helpline posters plastered on that back of their fence so that these victims know that help is available. There are a lot of great local and international organizations doing amazing work that could always use support (see links). In this next season I'm curious to see how my gifts, along with my fiery-drive, will be used to get involved in this fight!

- Buen Camino

Links:

Manitoba Provincial Initiative: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/index.html

Quebec Local Initiative: http://www.maisondemarthe.com/1_francais/Accueil.html

International: The A21 Campaign : http://www.thea21campaign.org/index.php#.Ug_ozWTwJFt

International: Exodus Cry: http://exoduscry.com/

A Picture's Worth a 1000 Words

I arrived home last Thursday from my 6 week adventure across parts of France and Spain. I was surprised at the airport by my dear friends, who made signs with yellow arrows and St. James shells for me, so that I would be able to find my way home!

My friends also graciously went grocery shopping for me, buying me some of my favourite things (i.e., chocolate milk and strawberries), so that I could comfortably settle in at home and rest. I'm not sure I've done all that much resting - I've been waking up between 5 and 6 am since arriving, and have already been biking and hiking twice since arriving home. Nonetheless, I was very touched by their generosity and despite being tired, it was great to be able to catch up with them.

A lot of people have been asking me about my "trip." Questions such as: how was it? What was it like? Did you enjoy it? What was your favourite part? When can I see pictures? You know the typical questions one would ask anyone returning home from a long trip. Normally I would have no troubles answering these questions, but this time I find myself a little lost for words. Hiking the Camino wasn't your typical trip! Instead, it was a transformational experience. I don't know just yet what has changed, but I know that I feel different. 

It's hard to put into words the things that I did, saw and experienced during my 34 days of walking, which is approximately 900 km. I could show you pictures and tell you stories, but I'm not sure to truly do those moments justice. The Camino gave me a lot of time - time to see beautiful things, time to meet amazing people, time to experience joy, time to be grateful, time to relax, to laugh, to cry, to reflect, to pray and then laugh again! I hope this video captures some of that! I've used the song Stand By Me, because my Camino Family and I would often start randomly singing that song at the start/end of the day, in supermercados, in coffee shops....pretty much anywhere and everywhere! It sort of became the unofficial theme song of the journey, because you really can't do this journey alone! Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/Ku2Uvki-Bu0

- Buen Camino

On My Way Home

 I officially have  began my 3 day journey home. Last week when I arrived in Santiago I wasn't ready to go home, but after walking to the end of the world - Finisterre - watching the sunset and relaxing on the beach for a few days, I am now ready to come home. Walking these last 100 km has brought closure to this journey. When I arrived in Finisterre I felt that it was the end and that I didn't need to walk anymore. In fact, the last 3 days were quite different from the rest of the journey - it was more of a celebration and a time of joy and laughter, rather then moments of reflection, introspection and prayer, which had been so present during my Camino.

In someways ending the journey was almost as hard as starting it. The hardest part about heading home isn't the packing, the traveling, or even the jet-leg, it's saying goodbye. Ironically, 6 weeks ago I was anxious about starting this adventure because I would be alone, and yet last night was the first night I was by myself in an albergue the entire trip. Even there I spent the evening running into familiar faces from the Camino in Santiago, which was nice! 

The "goodbye process" officially started last Wednesday when we arrived in Santiago, as various members of my Camino family started to leave for home. Yesterday, I had to say my last, and by far my hardest, goodbye to Szabi, aka "Mr Compostelle," the person I began this journey with 5 weeks ago, which out here feels like a lifetime, as the concept of time just seems to stop. 

We both knew this goodbye would have to happen at one point, but we were both kind of dreading it. There were not a lot words, as we have had 900 km to say anything and everything to one another. Instead, there was a deep level of appreciation and recognition for what the other (and the many others) had contributed to each others individual journey. It was a beautiful moment that I will treasure forever. 

A good friend once gave me a magnet with a famous quote that talks about the different people that come in and out of our lives. It says that throughout our lives we will encounter different people that will leave footprints in our lives. Sometimes these people will stay for a few moments, while others will stay a lifetime; regardless of the amount of time, people have the ability to leave lasting footprints in our lives. On my Camino I walked with people for a few moments, a few days, and for the entire journey, each of these people have shaped my experience and have left a footprint on my life. 

These people don't just exist on the Camino, they exist in our daily lives! They are our family, our friends, our coworkers, our teammates, our neighbours, or simply the person we briefly smile and say hello to as we happen to cross paths. These people mark our lives and fill our hearts - and today I am filled with a great amount of gratitude for these people. 

I started this journey nearly 6 weeks ago searching for direction in this next season of my life. And as I left my hiking shoes at the entrance of the Cathedral and board the plane, I feel that my heart is full and that it is time to come home! I also left 6 weeks ago with multiple flight delays and today my first flight to Paris was delayed for over 1 hour - hopefully it's the last of the delays because I'm ready to come home!

- Buen Camino

Day 31: The Last 5 km to Santiago

After nearly 800 km I have finally arrived in Santiago! Truth be told, I could have arrived here a day earlier, but I decided to stay in the super-albergue in Monte del Gozo; which holds over 400 pilgrims and was built in honour of Pope John Paul II visit in 1993 (ish). The night before arriving in Santiago, I sat at the top of the hill and watched the sunset over the city with a group of pilgrims. It was an interesting experience because we were so close to our "end-goal," meaning Santiago, the thing we had been walking towards for weeks (some months), and yet none of us were in a hurry to get there. The reality is that it was never about arriving in Santiago - it wa simply a destination - it's been about the journey.

Yesterday, I received my Compostela, a certificate that said that I made this pilgrammage and to be honest it was a very proud moment. This certificate, along with all my stamps represents the people I have met, the kilometers that I have walked, the tears that I have shed and the overwhleming amount of joy that I have felt. I then celebrated the Pilgrim's Mass with my fellow pilgrims in the most beautiful cathedral. It was a beautiful moment and we even had the privilege of seeing the Botafumeiro, which is a giant swinging incense burner that provides people with a blessing and is only used on special occasions. Afterwards our first series of goodbyes took place. Some of us are going on to Finisterre, so we still have 3 days of walking (100 km) ahead of us. But for others, this was the end of this particular journey. Tomorrow I will be going on to Finisterre, but before I move on to the next adventure I want to take time and enjoy this city and reflect upon this journey that has been on my heart since February. I will leave you will an excerpt from journal yesterday upon arriving in Santiago - it's part reflection and part thank you to all the people that have helped me get here! 

I did it - or should I say WE did it! I use we because I was certainly never truly alone out here. I was constantly walking with God and in His presence. There was also my Camino Family, who taught me about: love, laughter, integrity and generosity. There were the French women, Agnès and Geneviève, who were so gentle and gracious. Although we met in the last part of the Camino, they were an integral part of this journey, and they taught me about perseverance, selflessness, joy and taking my time to enjoy every moment. There were the hospitalaros who cared for me physically and often times emotionally. There were also the other pilgrims that I shared the trail with, who I simply shared a smile or a kind word with, but with whom I ultimately shared this experience with. Finally, there were my family and friends back home who prayed and encouraged me! Without each of these people and without God's strength, I would never have accomplished this feat. I am lost for words. Nonetheless, my heart is full and a bit sad. But I am reminded of the words of the German woman (pilgrim) who said to me earlier today: although this journey is ending today in Santiago, a new adventure is about to begin back home. That is because we leave this place and this experience forever changed. 

- Buen Camino

The End is Near and I'm Feeling....

The end of this incredible journey is insight; in fact we are only 67 km away, which could technically be done in two days. With the end now in sight there are a mix of emotions that many of us are feeling... exhaustion, annoyance, nostalgia, pride, saddeness,  apprehensiveness. As such, my friends and I are planning to take our time for these last few kilometres and arrive in Santiago early in the morning of July 31st, after catching one last sunrise, as oppose to rushing through these last kilometres.

It's hard to put into words right now exactly how I'm feeling; especially because so many things have changed since entering these last 100 km before Santiago. The first noticeable change is be arrival of the "Tourist-Pilgrims." These are the people that have decided to walk parts or the entire last 100 km. Typically these individuals are not well liked or tolerated on the Camino because they tend to: be loud, take "short cuts" (i.e., the bus), and cause the albergues to fill up quickly. One can quickly find themself annoyed with these 4-day pilgrims - and I have. But if there's one thing this experience has taught me it's to not judge others and to respect the fact that everyone is on their own individual journey - which will look very different from my own journey! With that said, I'm trying really hard to be welcoming to the new pilgrims and I'm trying to encourage my friends to do the same. My highlight today was talking to 2 teenage girls that started today and who were so excited to practice their English with me. One of the girl's even tried carrying my bag for about 200 meters - it was very sweet! 

In many ways the arrival of these new pilgrims and all the noise that they bring with them, is helping us get ready for our reintegration into the real world, which for some people is starting to feel a bit overwhelming. It's as though the next 4 days were intentionally trying to teach us how to incorporate the lessons learned during the past 700 km into our daily lives. 

With the end being so near it's truly a bitter-sweet moment that many of us pilgrims are living. Four weeks ago, when we were nursing horrible blisters and aching muscles/bones, many of us probably thought the end couldn't come sooner. Now with just 67 km to go, many of us are trying to figure out the best way to drag out these last few kilometres. Personally I want to live these last few days like I have for the last 28 days - appreciating and being awestruck throughout the day, which is even possible in the freezing rain, with a ripped poncho! 

    My mountain view from 2 days ago!  

So ya, the end is near and I'm feeling....exhausted, annoyed, nostalgic, proud, sad, apprehensive... But most of all, I'm excited for what's still left to come - both out here and back home!

- Buen Camino

Foot Care and Feet Washing

I hate feet! I find that they are disgusting, ugly and most of all they smell. I hate when people touch my feet. And most of all, I hate when people play with their feet in front of me or worse in public places.

My distain for feet, like many things, has been changed while walking The Camino. Right now for example, someone is out here patching up their feet. It's funny, here one of the first questions people will ask one another is: "How are your feet holding up?" One of the first things people will do when they take a coffee or lunch break is take off their shoes and socks - and we do it at the table. And of all the different injuries people are nursing out here it's the feet that tend to get the most attention. I personally spend about 30 minutes a day caring for my feet, which is more time then I spend back home getting ready to go out or go to work. 

So why all attention on our feet? It's because feet represent a pilgrim's vulnerability, weakness and limitations. This is not the first time I hear this, but it is the first time that it makes sense. Growing up I heard the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet many times. In fact, I have probably come to take this act of servanthood and humility for granted, not realizing in what condition these men's feet would have been in. As pilgrims, we travel down gravel, dirt and rock-filled roads for nearly 30 km, in hiking shoes/boots; and at the end of the day our feet are in horrible conditions - I don't even want to touch my own feet! 

These aren't my feet, rather the person beside me. 

Jesus and His disciples traveled down roads in similar, possibly worse, conditions and distances; muchmore, they did this in SANDLES! Their feet had to be a terrible sight and yet He humbled himself and did a servants job! Wow, this act has taken a whole new level of what it means to serve and care for others. 

Interestingly enough, last night I attended a Pilgrim's Blessing, and there was a line in one of the prayers specifically addressing feet saying my exact thought about feet representing "vulnerability, weakness and limitations." This is so true! It's very hard to walk and move forward in your journey if you have any sort of injury on your feet - be it an infection, a blister, a stress fracture. This is why it is so important to properly wash and care for the feet, because without them we're essentially paralyzed. At the end of the blessing, the Augustinien Priest washed each of our feet, being sure to carefully dry them and even give them a symbolic kiss at the end. I was moved by the care that he showed us. There was no judgment or reaction for the condition of our feet, just a desire to care for us, to give our tired feet rest, and a gentle reminder to serve and care for one another no matter our condition or life situation. Again, it gives this Bible story that I grew up hearing a whole new meaning!

Time to go support and encourage some of the new members of the Blister Gang! 

- Buen Camino

Finding Joy in the Unexpected!

Today was by far one of my best experiences on the Camino. We woke up "late," meaning that we woke up at 5:45 instead of 5:30 am. By the time we taped up our feet, packed our bags and ate a bit of breakfast it was nearly 7 am. Normally we would be ansy to get on the road, but today nobody seemed to mind. We had about 16 km to do before getting to arriving in the city of Astorga, where we would be meeting Olivier for our morning coffee break, Sophie's "copin" who is visiting her for the "week-end" from Toulouse.

As we were nearing the 10 km mark of our hike we noticed a little wooden kiosque parked in front of a seeming run-down farmer's house. At first we didn't really pay much attention to it and figured that perhaps the farmer would have some cold drinks and if we were lucky some fruit to sell us, which happens from time to time on the trail. To our surprise it wasn't a vendor, but rather an Oasis parked in the middle of nowhere that aimed to nourish pilgrims - both in terms of their bodies, but also their spirits. As we arrived in front of this stand we were warmly greeted by a man who informed us that we could gladly take anything on the cart and that his sole intention was to bless us for the journey that still lie ahead. This man freely offered us a gift and expected nothing in return. We sat there for nearly 30 minutes talking with one another, while enjoying fresh organic fruit, hot coffee, hazelnut milk, cookies and the best part, peanut butter and whole-wheat bread! These comfort foods are things that we sometimes take for granted back home; yet out here, they are precious, unexpected and joyful moments. This act of generosity was a highlight and a life lesson for many pilgrims today, many if whom spent the next 6 km discussing about how unexpected this was. 

As we entered Astorga, we were greeted by a musician sitting at the foot of a statue of a cross offering up prayers for the pilgrims entering the city and continuing on their journey. Once again this was a unexpected moment that I could have easily overlooked and not appreciated if I was in a rush to get to my destination as soon as possible, rather than try to appreciate the present. 

Typically when we stop following a long stretch, we rest for about 30-45 minutes - the time to drink a coffee, air our feet, use the washroom and fill up our water bottles - but today we were in no rush to get anywhere. We ended up resting for nearly an hour before deciding to "leave" the city. As we were leaving we were previe to a small parade with giant mascots and music - again, so unexpected, but such a gift! Before leaving Astorga we had one more stop - The Chocolate Museum! For 2€ we got to see the historical evolution of the Spanish chocolate industry, before being able to taste various types of delicious chocolate. Nearly 2 hours later we were finally on our way out of the city, to complete the 15 km that still remained. 

Because of all of our breaks, detours and unexpected moments we arrived in the albergue nearly 3 hours later than normal; but we were so happy and in awe of all the different things that we got to experience today! Far too often I try to control every aspect of my life, meaning that my days are typically jam-packed with multiple activities. As such, there is very little room to be amazed by the unexpected moments that God wants me to see and experience; meaning that I won't stop and have a coffee being offered to me by a complete stranger, or listen to a man playing guitar, or take a longer break to visit and eat chocolate. I found so much joy and amazement today in the unexpected, which is how I want to live each day!

- Buen Camino

León is Way Too Big!

The Way to Santiago de Compostela passes manly through small towns and villages. In many cases these villages are dead and rely heavily on the pilgrims as their primary source of revenue. Most times these towns are a great source of reprieve for tired pilgrims, offering us cold water, a great cup of coffee and/or a quick snack in order to get ready for the next set of kilometres. Along The Way there are a few big cities that come up: Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León and Lugo. Many pilgrims plan their rest days or low-mileage days for these big city stops in order to have the opportunity to visit these places. I am not one of those pilgrims, seeing I don't enjoy big cities, especially when I'm hiking.

For the most part I have been able to avoid the business of these cities by either arriving really early and leaving early the next day, or by simply moving on to the next village with an aubergue. Unfortunately, today there was no avoiding León and worse we arrived there at peak time, meaning that it was buzzing with people.

My days are filled with large periods of silence - except when I decide to sing - and calmness; needless to say there was a bit of culture shock when I got into the city. Very quickly I became overwhelmed and over-stimulated and after visiting the Cathedral I wanted to get out of the centre of the city as fast as possible. 

The business of León made me think of my life during a typical school year - a lot of beautiful and interesting things and commitments - but when everything's happening at once it can feel a bit chaotic. I don't want to be a pilgrim wandering forever seeking quiet and calmness, but perhaps there's ways to incorporate the things hat I appreciate about this journey into my everyday life back home. I have about 15 days before arriving in Finisterre (3 day hike from Santiago de Compostela) to discern how to find the "juste milieu." How about you, how do you find calm amongst the chaos?

- Buen Camino

Everybody has a Story and Some Type of "Injury"

I'm now 15 days into my journey and I feel totally disconnected from the real world. In fact I have no clue what's going on back home, with the exception of the news of a tragic train accident in Estrie a little while ago.

Out here we're really in our own world and we interact with one another much differently then if we were back in our everyday lives. The biggest difference is how honest we are with each other - both with our weaknesses and with our joys. Out here it's fairly common practice to ask the fellow pilgrims how they are doing? How their feet and bodies are holding up? And the most important question - la question qui tue - why are you walking the Camino? Out here people expect an honest answer because they truly care, meaning they don't want the typical "I'm fine thank you and you?" Because people are so honest and vulnerable with one another you quickly realize that everyone walking this trail has a story and a reason for walking. 

Another thing you soon realize when people start being honest with one another is that everyone walking has some type of injury by now - whether it be a blister, tendonitis, and/or shin-splits. Once people realize that you're struggling with an injury they become very eager to open up to you about their own injuries and sometimes they're willing to share with you their precious supplies and how to properly care for that injury according to their own cultural customs and practices. I hate the fact that I have blisters, but I realized this afternoon that my blisters have allowed me to meet some incredible people and witness such incredible acts of selflessness.

This afternoon, after arriving at an Augustine Nun Aubergue and being greeted with tea and escorted to our room, a French woman graciously offered me better supplies to care for an open blister. After that we began talking and sharing about our different life experience. She eventually went downstairs and asked her friend, a nurse, to come help me bandage my foot. Her friend came and before I even had a chance to introduce myself, she was washing and bandaging my foot, even offering to do the same tomorrow morning. What compassion and generosity, I only hope that I can remember this lesson and put it into practice the next time I see someone in need - both on this journey and when I get back to the real world. 

Below are some pictures from our time of fellowship and singing with the Nuns, what an amazingly beautiful experience! I continue to be amazed each day!

- Buen Camino

It's the Journey and not the Final Destination...

I'm now 12 days into my Camino journey and the saying I hear time and time again out here us that it's not actually about reaching Santiago de Compostelle, but rather the journey to get there! Yesterday I saw a sign saying just over 500 km to go...the truth is, I hate these signs because it stirs up my competitive nature in me and that's not what I want while I'm out here.

Out here there are people that really embrace the philosophy that's it's about the journey and not the destination. Typically they are the ones that leave the aubergue at no fixed time, that take the time to sit and have a coffee while eating breakfast and will gladly make long stops along the trail because they simply feel like it! These people have no stress about where they are going to sleep at night, how many km's they need to get in that day, or how much the day has cost them so far. These people are simply surrendering and trusting that their needs will be cared for and trying their best to live in the present moment. 

On the other hand, there are the competitors who thrive on trying to get in as many km's as possible in a day and who want to be the first out the door in the morning, even if it means leaving in the middle of the night. For them, this experience isn't so much about the journey, but rather the final destination. 

I think that if I wasn't consciously trying to surrender and move into a new season of my life that my competitive drive and nature would take over and I would foolishly become caught up in push to finish this hike as fast as possible; meaning that I would have missed out on some of the precious moments that I have lived in the past days. Take today for example, we are stopped in Burgos tonight, meaning that we really only did 20 km today and we achieved that by 1 pm. We easily could have gone on and many pilgrims did go on. But by stopping we got the opportunity to see the most beautiful cathedral and more importantly we got a chance to spend one last night with our two favourite people from the Faroe Islands, who sadly will be leaving us tomorrow. 

Good-byes are tough and I hate them, but they are a part of life. I'm just blessed that we got to spend the last 10 days with them and that they have been apart of my journey!

- Buen Camino

Every Day's a New Adventure

I just finished Day 8 of walking. Today was a gruelling 31 km from Logroño to Nójera; interesting enough the first half was quite easy, while the second half kicked our butts. There are many parts of our day that resembles one another. For instance, we get up between 5 and 6 am every day depending on the distance that we are trying to cover that day. Mornings tend to be quite chaotic with everyone trying to pack up and hit the trail at the same time. Once the bags are pack the "Blister People" start carefully trying to figure out the best strategy to cushion their feet and to protect the from new blisters. During this time the "Muscle Strain People" apply layers of  Volteran and Icy-Hot to try to hide their pain. After that this process we can hit the road where we spend the day following a small little arrow and if we're lucky, a Camino sign.

Once we get to the next destination, we unpack quickly in hopes for a hot shower, wash our clothes and then try to eat and rest up before starting it all over again the next morning. 

You're probably asking yourself where's the adventure in all of this? The answer is simple...during the walk itself. Everyday we get to visit a new region of Spain - some days we're in mountains, other days the countryside, the big city, and there are days like today where we get to walk through wine country. Everyday I am in awe of the beauty that surrounds me. Spain is such a beautiful country, with very generous people. 

The other adventure comes from seeing "Mama Santiago's" reaction to discovering the newness around her: whether it be a different tree species, a snake, or an insect, her reaction is always pure joy and enthusiasms. Mama Santiago" is from Faroe Islands,a country located between Island and Scotland, where the climate doesn't permit her to see such things. She is a very sweet and generous woman that belongs to my Camino Family and every time I see her joyful reaction to new things, I am reminded to appreciate the small things and especially all beauty around me - including the tress, the snakes and yes even the bugs! Thanks Mama, I can't wait to one day visit your country! 

- Buen Camino!

Humility and Hospitality on the Trail!

I  made it to Torres del Rio today, to get there we walked nearly 30 km in 39'c heat. Truth be told today was one of the hardest days so far on the trail, most because I can feel pain in my feet with each and every step. Despite the pain we arrived once again at a Pilgram's Paradise as our Aubergue once again had a pool. 

No matter the village there's a easy way to distinguish the locals from the Pilgrims....it's in the way we "walk" at the end of the day. See for yourself in the video that I will try to upload!

The Camino is much tougher than I thought and the life lessons are much greater than I had anticipated. Two of the greatest lessons that I have learned in the past couple of days have been about: humility and hospitality.

Humility

The trail is tough and if you don't humble yourself to this reality there is no way that you will complete it. I don't like asking for help and I certainly don't like admitting that I'm struggling at something. For some reason we associate asking for help or admitting that we're struggling with something as a sign of weakness. But out here it's a healthy thing to do, as the only way we're all going to get through this experience is by taking rest breaks and with the support of our fellow Pilgrams. Out here there is a real sense of camaraderie, where we try to take care of one another, and quite often it's the little things that make the world of difference. Just yesterday I met Monica from France, who at the time of our first meeting was frantically trying to find someone who spoke French. She took a risk and asked for help, which I gladly responded to. This led to other occasions for us to help one another out. Without getting into too many details, our time last night will remain a highlight of this journey.  

Hospitality

Everyday my group and I try to find the "best" aubergue to sleep. Most time it is a cheap hotel-type situation, where the owners care very little a out our pilgrimage and journey. We have however stumbled upon two auberges where the host truly receive us into their home and seek to care for our tired bodies. In both case the host have taken my feet and have cared for them, gently tending to my open blisters and giving me important advice as to what to do and watch for in the coming days. I don't know about you, but I think feet are disgusting and I don't enjoy caring for my own feet, let alone a stranger. But these people have shown me what it means to be a generous host and how to truly care for another. 

Tomorrow will be a "rest" day, meaning that we'll only walk 20 km - I'm curious to see what lessons God will reveal to me tomorrow.

- Buen Camino

Pilgram's Paradise

Today was a hard day! My blister that I drained yesterday, was full this morning meaning that it was very painful. On top of that we started late and it was really hard to get going. Bottom line I had no clue how I was going to get through the day...but thanks to a lot of praying, I made it. The first half of the day was spent climbing to the top of a mountain where we had a magnificent view and a beautiful sculpture.

Not only was I able to climb, but I made my 20 km's to Puenrta de la Reina. In fact, I got  here nearly 1 hour before those that left at 6 am (2 hours before me), and we got a spot at the aubergue with a swimming pool. I feel very blessed to have spent the day at this Pilgram's Paradise!

- Buen Camino

Life Lessons on the Camino: Zig-Zagging, Blisters and My Missing MouthPiece

I just finished my 3rd day on the Camino and already I feel like I'm learning valuable life lessons! Here's 3 that I canshare with you. 

1) Time alone is important, but so is spending time with friends and family.

On my way to St. Jean Pied-de-Port I met "Mr. Compostelle" - Sabi from Hungry - now don't get too excited he's happily engaged and his fiancé will be joining him in Santiago. Since Day 1 we have been hiking partners and we will likely arrive at Santiago together. In a very short time we have also become good friends. Our twosome quickly became a foursome on the first day when we met Mylene and Jay and in a very short time our Camino family began to take shape. By this  morning we were 7, but sadly we said good-bye today and surprisingly it was very hard. Family, no matter the shape or size is important, which is especially true when you're hiking 800 km. I am blessed to have Sabi as part of my journey. 

2) Blisters hurt, but force us to slow down. 

Blisters are awful. To date, I have 2 minor ones that don't hurt at all and 1 on the heal that hurts a lot! On the trail blisters force you to stop, rest and be present in the moment around you; rather than plow through to the next "challenge." There are uncomfortable and sometimes even painful moments in life that we tend to plow through as quickly as possible rather than take our time to work through. These blisters will be a daily reminder to be in the moment and to take the time to care for the little injuries/things, as oppose to rushing through them!

3) Zig-Zag down the hills. 

I don't have lot of patience. I like to get to point A to B as fast as possible. I like to know where I'm going in life and I get frustrated sometimes when things don't go the way that I have planned. On the Camino you can't go straight down a hill, it's too hard on your knees. Instead, you must zig-zag down the hill, which is much safer and less hard on your knees. There are times in life that we are called to zig-zag to get to our final destination, rather than take the direct route. And although we don't always understand why, we must trust that this is the better path for us. 

3) Don't sweat he small stuff - in this case the missing mouth piece!

I realized last night at 10 pm that I forgot my night guard in the previous village, boy was I ever angry at myself for being so irresponsible.  As Sabi pointed out, I swore in 3 different languages - Québécois, English and French. This event has taught me that I need to stop being so hard on myself and beating myself up for my very human imperfections, because I was really angry towards myself. Not only that, but it is teaching me about trust and allowing others to help me out, as Mylene and Jay graciously offered to drive to the hostel, retrieve the case and mail it to me upon their return to the US next week. It's hard for me to ask for help and to depend on others, which is something I'm being challenged to surrender right now. Who would have thought that my mouth piece would teach me lessons of: self-kindness, trust and generosity. 

- Buen Camino

Pardon, je n'ai pas compris!

Malgré touts les problèmes que j'ai eu avec mon vol à Paris, j'ai quand même eu la chance de visiter la ville un peu avant de partir en train vers Bayonne et ensuite à St. Jean Pied-de-Port. J'ai suivi les conseilles de Lonely Planet et de Marie-Charlotte, ma hôtesse, et je me suis promenée le long de la rivère, ce qui m'a permi de voir les grands sites touristiques, malgré le manque de temps. Mais encore une fois ce n'est pas les sites qui m'ont marqué, mais plutôt les moments et les discussions que j'ai eu avec ma famille d'accueil - j'ai assisté a mon premier petit déjeuner d'anniversaire - les gens au resto, Jean et Pricila à Bayonne et un monsieur sympathique à la gare de train. Pour moi se sont des moments précieux, surtout parce que nous avons travaillé fort pour se comprendre l'un et l'autre (hihi)! Les accents et surtout les expressions ne sont pas tout à fait pareilles - mais pas pantout!

Je me sens un peu comme quand je suis arrivée à Québec, dans le sense qu'il faut que je sois très concentrée, afin de bien comprendre le message, et dans le sense que je me sens un peu gênée de parler à cause de la crainte de se faire reprendre. Voilà mon côté perfectionniste et mon désir de bien performer sort à nouveau. Mais on fini toujours par se comprendre même si  chaque personne est obligée de répéter sa phrase ou d'expliquer le sense du mot (ou l'expression) au moins une fois au court de la discussion - c'est rigolos quoi! Je pense même retourner à Paris pendant 1-2 jours à la fin de mon séjour pour pouvoir profité davantage de cette ville magnifique et d'apprendre d'autres expressions françaises!

- Buen Camino

AC880: Toronto - Charles de Gaulle

The adventures of flight AC880, which started Wednesday night at around 19h20, have finally come to an end. It all started with a simple announcement, "Ladies and Gentlemen there are small "mechanical" problems with this flight, we should be able to leave after a short delay!" At 11 pm we learned that we wouldn't be leaving until 8 am the next morning, but they would gladly put us up in a hotel, we simply had to present ourselves to Gate N. I think someone forgot to tell AC how many people were on this flight, because for the first 35 minutes there were only 3-4 agents for the hundreds of guest.

After a bit of eye contact and some sarcasm, I found my group of people that I would be looking out for (and vice-versa) over the next few days. After 4 hours of waiting in various lines -hotel voucher, shuttle, check-in - we finally got into our rooms. The next day we were suppose to leave at 8, then 10 and finally by around 11:30 we were air born. There was a round of applauses when the first passengers boarded the plane. 

The flight itself was smooth - a couple of movies, a nice Bailey's coffee - I even managed to find a ride once we would land with one of my new group member's to my host family's apartment that way I wouldn't have to take a taxi because the trains don't run after 12 am. There was nothing else that could go wrong; I mean you would think that the airlines would pay attention to every detail of a flight that had already been delayed 12 hours....WRONG! 

When changing planes they left 2 full cargo containers in the broken plane and didn't tell anyone. Long story short, I was one of 60 people that didn't have my luggage, and one of two sets of guests that didn't have a fixed real temporary address in France, seeing as I'm hiking 800 km, so it was strongly suggested that I stay the night at the airport. The other couple in a similar situation are more or less my neighbours in Qc and they are trekking in the Alps with their 2 young children. 

Thankfully I wasn't alone there were about 8 of us having a sleepover at Charles-de-Gaulle and once again bonds were formed and great conversations, laughs, a few tears and a little drop in our sugars (me & another guest) were had. I can say this now, after sleeping 4 hours and having my luggage returned, I came to spend 3 days in Paris to discover a new city; instead I discovered new people and made a few new friends. 

So friends - those catching connecting flights to Iles Maurice, Vietnam, Portugal and Nairobi courage, vous êtes presque arrivés! Et, Stéphanie, Olivier et les deux petits aventuriers, amusez-vous et surtout bon voyage. J'ai hâte de voir vos photos en revenant à Québec.   

-Buen Camino