One week since I decided to do the Camino. It has been on my mind since the beginning of the new year and after the trip we took to Scotland in March it has just gotten stronger. Rob and I have talked about it as well and at first he was not so keen to walk it at all. I think the idea has grown on him or I have worn him down. Either way we are going.

I have read many things in the last week about the Camino. There is a wealth of information on the internet plus it is mid-Summer just past the Feast of St. James which only adds to the regular stuff. I can't help but think about the pilgrims in the past that took the Camino with so little information. Theirs was truly an act of faith. Today we have cell phones, GPS navigation, planes, trains and automobiles. Not to mention ATMs. :)

So I begin in the morning training for the Big Walk. I am concerned about walking with my husband because his pace is faster then mine. I guess I'll have to add a bit more weight to his backpack or I'll spend the entire time staring at his back from further and further away. He thinks he can slow it down for me. After 20 years I'll be surprised.

12 weeks and counting.

Today I met Cedric in the parking lot of the grocery store as I unloaded my shopping cart. He was pan handling. He introduced himself as not looking so good, which was not normal for him. He was trying to find work at a local day labor employment office but they had not had anything today or yesterday. Cedric had a kind face with a patch on his right eye. He wanted to help me with my groceries for some change but he arrived too late. I had all but emptied my cart. He said that he needed 23 dollars to get a room for the night and that he had spent last night downtown. And he apologized for asking for money and the way he looked, again.

I said that I would give him 5 dollars to help him and he said "Really? But I wasn't finished explaining yet." I said that was OK 'cause I understood and things are tough for all of us.

So I opened my wallet and saw I only had a $10 and I said "This is your lucky day. I don't have a five but I'll give you this ten instead." He was elated and told me thank you. I shook his hand and he said "I'm Cedric and you may never know me again but I'll remember you."

And I said "I'm Nicole. Good Luck Cedric. "