Bah flying!

The flight was uneventful. Very crowded but we got two seats together window and aisle. The people in front of us reclined ALL the way back making it hard to see the TV or eat. Luckily they moved forward when they were eating. I slept a little.

We landed and searched for a post office to mail package to England for after the Camino sadly it closed about an hour before we got there. Eventually we found the train and Paris and an open post office! May the package arrive safe as England has some LONG addresses and it didn't exactly all fit. We wrote it on the box too and the guy said it was fine. Attempted to pick up sim card for phone only good in Paris so we will keep looking. Found our hotel - Hotel Innova free wifi and a lovely view. The tall black building is montparnasse which is known for its view maybe we go there next!

Relaxing for a moment and regrouping before attempting to find sim card and food. Than photos. I'm determined to reset my clock so no sleeping until 9pm (it is abt 3pm now). Interesting encounter - on the train there was this group panicking about when to get off they spoke Russian and a little English. Another passenger who spoke German and English was trying to help them (she had a map). It was the true moment for me of - you are not in Ohio anymore. Next journey awaits!

Leaving on a jet plane...

Seriously, this is a big plane. We had just enough time to eat a little before boarding. Now I'm all comfy. I hope to get some sleep... Take-off t-minus 30 min!!!

Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is - any long journey, especially one undertaken as a quest.

Today I begin my pilgrimage. An excursion that begins on my back porch. I don't know what adventures are waiting for me. There is no book to tell me the right and wrong way to continue. From today onward I am responsible for me. I plan the next step. I close and lock the door behind me but I open the world before me. Today I welcome the unknown. Whatever may come I embrace the twist, the turns, the lessons the universe has for me. I am not alone. All my friends and family past and present walk with me. Today I begin.

One wrong turn after another

Tho is likely the last photo I will be able to add to my blog :(

Shortly after taking tho photo my camera phone decided to say good bye again. I don't think I can fix it on the road so no photos unless I finagle something. It has been one of the days. However the view from Montparnasse is spectacular. We spent an hour admiring it. Then afterward we ate at a little cafe called la forge and people/city watched from the patio. Now relaxing in the hotel with the balcony door open. Great breeze sun slowly sets. The sights and sounds of city life here are familiar yet very different. Like the sound of a passing ambulance siren. People talking. All familiar but not. It is nice to just sit and soak it in. We tried to tour the city but had difficulty eut train tickets so ) Tomorrow we tour the city! Now I relax maybe sleep some.

One wrong turn after another

Tried to visit the catacombs but my credit card was declined by the automatic kiosk and it didn't take anything but coins. So we decided to walk to Montparnasse instead (where my card was accepted). My camera phone stopped working after this photo was taken -

The view is spectacular! We spent an hour just looking out over the city. I wish i had grabbed my other camera but alas it was in the hotel. I plan to blog but I likely won't have photos to upload. This makes me beyond sad but I do have my standard camera. Tho isn't tragic just frustrating. After the view it was 5pn we wanted to sit and eat but most places were closed? We found a nice little cafe called La forge with a coveted patio. So we ate deliscious salad and thin crust bread while we sipped lemonade and watched everything. It rained briefly making the city smells more potent. It is odd hoe different things smell here. Oh and yes the food is fabulous! There is this little crepe place we want to try tomorrow morning. Currently I sit in my small hotel room looking out at all the people and buildings, listening to the sounds of cars and random construction definitely in a different land. However, Now I think I will sleep and worry about photos and cleaning clothes tomorrow!

Packed and ready!

Less than 2 weeks before I embark on my next journey. This time I'll be living out of my backpack as I trek across Spain. El Camino de Santiago will be as much a physical as a spiritual journey for me. I have no idea what expect I'm just along for the ride, experience life on the way. Kind of makes me think of that Dr. Seuss book - Oh the places you'll go...

12 mile hike

My first long hike. It went well. My pack is full at 17#. I got a bit sun burned but overall fared well. 21 days until the big trip!

Engelwood metropark

Bastian overlooks a waterfall. We paused here for a nice picnic lunch!

And me at the base is the falls!

There were a lot of beautiful views! The last was my attempt at a panorama. All over another lovely day. 😆

Clifton gorge

Selfie of Jenny and I.

Exploring slump caves.

Lotus blossom!

Sugarcreek

4th of July hike. Beautiful morning

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