Day 0 The Big Question and the Magic Number

So here I go again. A restless night, a 6 am alarm and a journey consisting of a car, bus, plane, metro and walk eventually sees me in my hotel room in Porto contemplating Life and it’s Big Questions. The Big Question right now is Why? Not Why Are We Here in the eternal existential question, but rather Why Am I Here?? Why on earth did I think this was a good idea, again! There was no sense of excitement this morning, rather a sense of apprehension, with a sprinkling of doom, dusted off with a few tears. I’m sure I’ll feel better when I’m on the move tomorrow. Cities are always so impersonal. I played Spot the Pilgrim in the airport and on the Metro but no luck. Meeting fabulous people was such a huge part of my last Camino but I have to accept it may not be the same this time. The Camino may give me what I need, not what I want! The Camino gods are already playing games with me by declining my card in the pizza restaurant! Damn you Camino gods! (Obviously nothing to do with me putting the wrong PIN number in twice! Ahem!)!My card is now blocked which is not good, although luckily I have a spare bank card for a different account with the same bank that I can transfer between. It just all makes things more complicated than it needs to be, and I’m all about the simple life!

Oh, and as for the big number? The answer is not 42 ( those who know, know!), but it is in fact 6.7. 6.7kg to be precise! This is the weight of my rucksack, including my hiking poles, as measured on the airport baggage scales. I’m quite impressed with that. I was wearing my fleece, T shirt, shorts and trainers, ( I was the one in the airport looking like an overgrown Boy Scout, instead of wafting in a summer dress!) and am carrying another 2 t shirts and a pair of capri leggings, with a silk dress and raincoat. That’s it apart from a bikini and undies and socks. I’ve got a lightweight umbrella , hopefully for the sun rather than the rain, an iPad mini for blogging, chargers, electrolytes, a lightweight nylon rucksack and lightweight crossbody bag for non rucksack times. A pair of Crocs sandals are my only other shoes ( stop sniggering, they are fab!). I think that’s it, other than toiletries and a water bottle, plus a silk sleeping bag liner. My secret weapon is my trusty sarong that works as a towel, sheet, shawl, cover up and privacy curtain. Everything is in coloured dry bags so I can grab what I need easily when I need to.

So that’s it for today. I’m now laying on my hotel bed making the most of my huge bed, as I suspect this will be a rarity. I’m certainly not expecting to get a huge balcony with incredible views again anytime soon. A girl can dream! I’ve washed my clothes in the sink and put them to dry, now I’m off to finish my gin before getting my head down for tomorrow!