<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Dear Mercedes,<BR>
How nice to receive your email! I wish my Spanish was half as good as your English!<BR>
What made you decide to walk the Camino? Will you fly to Madrid from Mexico City? What is the date of your departure? The first time I walked the Camino I began in Roncesvalles on September 17. Spain was having a terrible heatwave and the temperatures were between 90-100 degreees F. each day for the first three weeks. The next year, a friend started from Roncesvalles on the same day -- September 17 -- and Spain was having a coldwave!! My friend had to wear all the clothes she brought at one time! It was also raining every day during her whole pilgrimage and she had to buy a new sleeping bag when hers got wet. So, September is a very tricky month! This time, I'm starting early in the month -- actually the end of August. I would rather be too hot than too cold! <BR>
I didn't do the pilgrimage in a wise way. I read a book by Paulo Coehlo, entitled Pilgrimage. And as a result decided immediately that I wanted to walk the route! I was not prepared physically or emotionally or mentally or spiritually. I just KNEW I was supposed to do it and I did. I had never backpacked before in my life! The longest walk I had ever taken was about 7 miles. Three days before I left the U.S., I fractured a bone in my heel, so I walked the whole 500 miles with a broken foot!! <BR>
But somehow, I survived. I'm still not exactly sure how!<BR>
My best advice to you is to practice hiking as much as you can from now until September. Do not wear new shoes!!! I wore old Nike's and they were great. The people who had new, expensive hiking boots were the ones who got blisters.<BR>
Take as little as you can!!!! (That's the most important.) Prepare for heat. If it turns cold, you can always buy a sweater or a jacket en route. But start out with very, very little. Even a few ounces in your backpack will make a big difference! I remember having an argument with a friend on which one of us was going to carry two extra postcards we bought!! We even argued over who would carry a few Band-Aids! I know it seems ridiculous now, but soon you will understand.<BR>
I don't want to make this email so long you will be troubled by reading it. But if there is anything specific I can help you with, please be sure to let me know. It is a very exciting, wondrous adventure you are embarking on. It will change you forever. It is a hero's journey.<BR>
Many blessings to you as you prepare,<BR>
Buen Camino!<BR>
Sharon Mehdi</FONT></HTML>