WoW we started our trip at 4:30 am to catch a bus, train, another train and then a plane.

Alex retrieved us from the airport and we went to the store to grab bananas and then back to airport. He helps the Jewish community here, many who are stranded. Then to the house and dinner and bed.

The next day we drove along the coast delivering kosher food to Israelis who are stranded in Greece due to the war. We also got to see Poseidon’s temple and the oldest theatre in Greece. Once we were back. We got ready and went to dinner with Alex.

One of the things we saw on our trip along the coast as we were driving was a one legged cyclist. He had no prosthesis but was kicking a## on the hills and well just really impressive!! It’s so easy to let things that are difficult to hold you back. Keep going. Make the adjustments necessary. But keep going!!

The next day Noël and I took the metro into Athens proper. Alex dropped us at the station and we navigated our way to the right stop just like Lindsay and I did 13 years ago.

We had tickets to the Acropolis and other sites. We got to the acropolis early, ahead of our slotted time and the line was so long we gave up and admired it from afar. We saw several other sites including the Roman Agora and the Ancient Agora, this is where life happened, trade and community.

We had a nice quiet dinner and then took some of our leftovers to Alex who was doing the sound for a group. Then we got the metro back, a cab home and pretty much went to bed after doing laundry. Whew!!!

I’m just going to jump in: Noël got an offer last spring to stop working. He was already considering going into pension next year but this was a nice surprise.

As of 1 October he will no longer be employed by Dow.

A year and a half ago we sold our house and rented back from the buyers planning for such a change.

October, November, and December will be months of training as we will embark on a very big adventure in January. We will store what possessions we have left and become nomads.

Our plan is to walk out of Ternuezen, the Netherlands on 2 January and walk all the way to Santiago de Compostela. It’s about 2500 kms/1500 miles. We are guessing it will take around four months but we are in no hurry.

The hardest part of going is not getting to see Lindsay, Mitchell and the pups as well as Eden, Tess and Max and the rest of the family.

This year will be an opportunity for us to determine where we want to land or even if we want to land.

For us the world is our home and we are looking forward to exploring it fully!!

After walking long distances day after day you find the familiar a little less than familiar. it takes some time to resume life as “normal” and in many ways the normal has changed.

Carrying everything you need on your back changes your perspective in many things. You form a new community of trusted friends. You have experienced a new country and culture and that gives you pause to look at your country and it’s culture.

We have heard from some of our camino family. Most everyone is back home and still processing their Caminos. To a person we are taking it slow for our re-entry. And as much as people want to hear there is still a lot of processing to do.

It’s a challenge to try to capture in a few words the life-changing experience that you have had. But we try. And will continue to share.

Buen Camino!

Finishing a trip…mild depression

Particularly a camino…mild depression

Feel a little lost…mild depression

Finding some balance…walking with Lindsay and the grandpups and making some chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered nuts…bringing some joy!!

Camino…life changing experience…planning next long walk…peace.

Finding balance!!!