FAQ

Intrepid Reader (IR) - Tom, why are you doing it? Is this a late mid-age life search for ... ?
Tom - Basically, I'm just looking for a bit of a challenge and new experience. I'm open minded. Let's see what comes.

IR - We see you want us to call Jane and offer comfort. What's her number?
Tom - 867-5309*

IR - Gosh it looks difficult. What have you been doing to prepare?
Tom - Well, went to the gym quite a few times in late December and then early January. But then came down with a rather nasty cold. Since then I've been overindulging on YouTube videos.

IR - You must have some reservations. Anything you want to share?
Tom - I just hope Michael Pitt doesn't show up at the home doorstep when I'm gone. Jane might never let me back in.

IR - What's your plan?
Tom - 3 days in Paris. Upon arrival at CDG on March 4th I will take the RER Metro to Republique Station and walk to my apartment (www.airbnb.com) to drop my bags. Then on to Cimetere Pere Lachaise to visit the graveside of James "The Lizard King" Morrison. (I omit French punctuation).

Day Two (March 5th) - up and out early to the top of the Eiffel Tower by 10:30. I want to visit the Parisian catacombs. Notre Dame. The Latin Quarter. I have no plans to see the Mona Lisa.

Friday the 7th - I have a TGV train from Montparnasse to Bayonne arriving at 3:15 (15:15).
I want to start the Camino from Bayonne no later than Monday morning the 10th.
On April 11th - I have to be in Lisbon for a flight home

The rest is unwritten.

IR - But so much unknown. There must be more concern?
Tom - Sure - Michael Pitt taking my job filling Jane's ice cube trays.

IR - are you going to share your "pack list" for us to catalog?
Tom - no.  "No" is a good word.

IR - You think of yourself to be a big invincible guy. Do you think that's realistic at your age? What if it goes bad? What's your Plan B?
Tom - a Bus.


IR - So you're done! You completed the Camino. Any regrets?
Tom - Si. Absolutamente. Under the complete misconception that most of Europe speaks some English, I was woefully unprepared for the fact that an extremely high percentage of the people in Spain and Portugal speak no English. In fact, should you go, expect that at any moment when you critically need some piece of information, you will need to know some Spanish to get it.


Jane had given me a highly rated Spanish language course on DVD - Fluenz. I didn't get beyond disc 1. I bought flash cards and CD's for the car. I regret not having worked to strengthen my 3 years of high school Spanish. A big opportunity missed.






* from Jenny       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WTdTwcmxyo