June 28, 2019 Getting ready for the Camino

I have been spending the past year and a half finding the perfect backpack(MEC), shoes (Vasque), sandals (Teva), shirts (Lulu Lemon), pants (Prana & Lulu Lemon), underwear (very tricky, men you have no idea how tricky it is to find the right bra for something like this!) and socks (Wright Socks). I have the proper bandages, medications, soaps, toothbrush. I have copies of my passport, and travel documents. I've learned how to attach and use the Platypus Hydration Bladder -LOVE IT and my Walking Sticks (surprised how much I love them!). I've taken 20km + walks in preparation for the trip worrying about bears a few times. I worked out since January at Tracey Salamondra's studio and am feeling pretty good about my knees (Thank you Tracey). I think I have the right APPS and technology to help me along the way... although the jury is still out as to whether I will use WIFI or purchase a SIM Card in France. My flights are booked to Paris, my train is booked from Paris to Le Puy en Velay, where I will start walking), I have my loft in Paris and my room at the Seminary in Le Puy. I've even booked a dinner cruise for myself along the Seine. I've completed my big work-related milestones to get to this point, Joanna Majoko and FFCC Christmas Concert, Mamma Mia, Flin Flon Arts Council Inspiration Series 2.0, The Arts Council's Operating Grant, CAPF Grant Final Report, Grants for Culture Days, MAC Rural Award Ceremony (thank you again MAC and Manitoba Arts Network), organizing our next trip to Carnegie Hall on April 18 2020 (come if you can!) Getting the house ready for the first visit of my son's in-laws to Flin Flon to see Mamma Mia. So excited to have this family visit and for some reason I needed to get the gazebo up in late April before they arrived (thank you Mark). I've packed and repacked my backpack many times and have the hang of it. I've helped with the Main ARTery Celebration, the Trout Festival Casino. Have been Marketing Director of the Blueberry Berry Jam Music Gathering which is happening in August and have overseen the merchandise purchase and tracking down stage managers for Blueberry Jam as well. It's almost all done! I am sitting in Winnipeg a few days before departure fine tuning the details and I am mostly in limbo. I'me grateful for the Callegari Wedding happening on Saturday to help me with the transition. The final frontier is this blog (which is challenging for me) and then away I go. A super big thank you to everyone who has helped propel me forward, especially of course my wonderful husband Mark Kolt. Thank you also to my Flin Flon Arts Council Board of Directors for allowing me to take this time off and your words of encouragement. I am hoping to have this blog up and running... otherwise I'll send info on FACEBOOK. A Bientot!