Suffering for my art

Packing our packs, this is the real thing, our Camino is happening. Weighing each ounce I'm sure everyone has one weakness they can't live without. That is unless you're C who apparently has nothing he can't live without and is willing to let me know it regularly.

I've read what people bring. iPads, books and Kindles seem to be common weight takers. There was an Italian guy who couldn't manage without his tiny espresso pot and the coffee of home. The jury is out on carrying one change of clothing vs two. I'm willing to forego the second set of clothes for 13oz of art supplies. Even a Pacific Crest Trail ultra light through hiking watercolour artist allowed himself a pound of supplies. I will suffer for my art, she says with some trepidation.

I thought about knitting my way across Spain, but it's too darned hot. That project, which is accumulating considerable mileage including crossing the Atlantic three times by air and ship, will have yet another voyage come the fall.

You know how I love to paint old stone structures. Spain is full of them. This is a sample from one day:

Right before we left I participated in a workshop where we painted a 200 year old Swiss farm building. My instructor snapped the photo and it really included the chicken and the cat peering out the windows.

I mentioned it's hot. We expected heat here, near Barcelona, but not in the north especially in the mountains. The common Camino starting point in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, was in the 90's this week. I'm not liking hiking in the heat. For the first time I've developed blisters. Better now as those toes have two days to heal and toughen up prior to our start. Tomorrow is the long trip to St. Jean where the weather forecast is three days of rain and cooler temperatures.

Comments

[Rosemary Foti]

Maybe you can mail your art supplies ahead of time and pick them up when you get to a certain point. Then mail the next set to another point. Then mail the whole thing home rather than carry them. My favorite part of Spain was Barcelona and touring all of the Gaudi Architecture. It was amazing.

[Carol King]

Wait, what? You can only bring one change of clothes? Can you wash them along the way? What about underwear???? (I guess you can tell I'm a non-camping city girl.)

I'm glad you brought your paints even if C believes there is nothing he can live without.

I'm expecting a lot of paintings from you! Nice stone building with a chicken and a cat. (How come the cat didn't try and eat the chicken?)