Well the trip has begun, today is a big travel day and has already had a few lessons for me. The alarm went off as scheduled at 5:30am. The first half hour was spent waking up slowly, that is the way I do it, it will be interesting to see if the Camino changes that!
The first task was to verify if the $73 automatic cat feeding device was actually dispensing food as designed. It is scheduled to spill out the desired portion at 6am. I suspect it had been working just fine but did need to verify as the cat waits for it to come out and simultaneously absorbs it through some weird combination if osmosis and guratation. Yes, Rocky has an eating disorder as well as a number of other psychoses and neuroses, "bless his little feline heart". I am happy to report the device is functioning perfectly and the money was well spent, sort of.
Next final packs, shower, house-locking all completed, check.
Diana Durand my super-friend and owner of Canta Rana in Sarasota showed up at 7am to take me to the Tampa Airport. I treated for a couple of Starbucks on Manatee Avenue on the way out of Bradenton. After that we got to the Airport with no problems, all going good so far. Before leaving Diana gave me a gift of a small devotional card with Our Lady on the front and the Magnifcat in Spanish on the back to help with the Pilgrimage. Needless to say I was very touched and will use it fully for its intended purpose.
The wait inside the Tampa Airport proved to be providential. I met the noted author, Douglas Kennedy. Nice enough fellow, he lives in Wiscasset, Maine (one if my favorite places) and we talked for a bit. I've downloaded his recommendation "The Motive" for reading perhaps on the Camino, perhaps later, we'll see how I much I want to read once I am on my way. My only disappointment with our interaction was when I tried to engage him with some talk of literature and my son's aspirations he kind of pulled a bit of the New England Blue Blood thing. I am going to cut him some slack as I imagine he gets inundated with lots of really stupid questions and comments by wanna be lit-wonks, that's not where I was headed but who was he to know. He took a genuine interest in the Pilgrimage, but indicated that he was Catholic "but not that Catholic" (insert Christian). That raised an interesting question in my noggin, Am I that Catholic? I think that one if the questions I am hoping to answer. They say the Camino provides, perhaps it has started.
The plane flight to Boston was interesting. I was hoping not to sleep until the later flight to Dublin. Anyone who has traveled with me in a plane realizes that this is a challenge for me. Me + Plane = Baby + Car Back Seat. Q.E.D. As luck would have it again, the Camino came through. Middle seat between a Mom and an infant suffering from demon possession (or more likely colic) and a big guy in his late 20s with a heavy Boston accent who liked his Jack & Coke and ran a chain of Boutiques for exotic dancers located right in the many infamous Strip Clubs of Tampa. Of this he was proud and liked to expound upon with booming sorority. Needless to say, thanks Camino, the likelihood of sleep was exceedingly small. Happy to get out and hang in the Boston Logan Airport for a fairly lengthy layover til the Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. Here's a quick snapshot of the International terminal at Logan
Well the flight from Boston to Dublin is a really nice way to get to Europe, only six hours. Nice flight. Irish version of Archie & Edith came on board, sat right behind me, and were very flabbergasted and loudly expounding that no one has any patience any more in this world. They then took the first third of the flight proving to the flight crew and everyone else within earshot their hypothosis is correct beyond the shadow of any doubt, right up there with the theory of gravity. All was well and quiet until the landing sequence when a pair of two year old twins on a visit to their Irish auntie decided to give their very best spirited Axel Rose renditions. Ouch that hurt. The good news is I arrived and so did my backpack in a cardboard box with plenty if time to spare! Here is a quick snapshot of my expensive luggage.
Ryanair flight to Bisrritz was a snap, box made it just fine. I am staying at the Itzalpea hotel for two nights super nice people. I've been traveling for 24+ hours so Day-1 blog entry is going to close out. Day zero is going to be a kick around day in St. Jean, look for lots of pretty shots of this beautiful medieval town tomorrow. Here is a quick shot out of my hotel window. Hasta Mañana.
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