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The Beginning

Melbourne Travel Blog › entry 1 of 43 › view trip summary

In June 2008 I departed from Sevilla Spain to walk north 1000km to Santiago de Compostela. Located in Spanish Galicia, Santiago is the final resting place for apostle St James and a pilgrim destination since the 9th century. I walked 750km of another route,'Camino Frances' in 2003. The Via de la Plata is a different journey in every sense: longer daily distances, more lonely, and the elements are harsher in summer. Read on to follow the amazing journey of a 40-something sola chica!

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The Beginning

March 21, 2008

Just fooling around at home - excited to be leaving for Spain

I am not quite sure what I am writing here who to?? why??

Since I last created a hotmail address about 8 years ago, many things have changed - including the way we communicate.

I will be doing another Pilgrimage in May this year and in celebration of the freedom I felt as a teenager on my motorbike, I have aptly named the trip 'Project Olympia'.

My third motorbike was a Honda XL250 and I bought it when I was 19 while still at university. I worked 12 hour days all holidays at a meat processing factory carrying buckets of blood and making black puddings! It was worth it the day I rode home on my brand new white Honda. It was my pride and joy and I lovingly cared for her. She supported me through the final 3 years of my university days in Palmerston North (NZ) as I rode her home (70km) to Wanganui regularly.

Olympia reminds me of feeling invincible, of having control of where I am heading and of conquering fears. This trip is to be the embodiment of all those things as I take my life on unknown adventures yet again.

4 comments

1 smile

josiekengni says:

Dear Grace
I have just read your email today I think you finished today. i kept trying to cut and paste a letter I wrote you but I couldn't do it. So I will send it to you hotmail so check it out.
It must be so amazing for you.....I sometimes find it hard to find 5 minutes now where I can actually sit and think, meditate. And I miss that reflection time cos I need it in my life. I know I will be able to find that time again but right now I am sort of craving it cos it's like my life/reality catapulted so fast over the last 2.5 years that my spirit and soul haven't quite align themselves.
I was thinking about the Carolyn Myss tapes today and thinking I don't even have a tape deck to play them on.....it would be so strange hearing them again now.
I am so so happy for you darling....firstly that you did the physical journey and that you drew on your inner reserves to make your dream come to fruitition. What a marvellous achievement......savour your precious freedom and taste the sweet joy of life.
I love you my dear friend
Mariposa xxxxx

Posted on: Jul 22, 2008

josiekengni says:

Gracie
I seem to be having trouble. with this but I actually wrote you a letter back on Monday 23June.
I have read entries one to fourteen and they were inspiring. it is almost midnight here so let me figure out how to send you your letter.
Love your Angel friend
Mariposa

Posted on: Jul 19, 2008

kymofmaningrey says:

Hi Grace! Great to hear your pilgramage is exactly that and sees you travelling well (and mostly safe!). Luv the instalments..need photos now! Kym

Posted on: Jun 25, 2008

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