There is something to be said about spending a long weekend with your friends and family. I mean we all need a break from the typical day to day. This is especially true for those in Europe who for chasing their endless summer. I mean who doesn’t want to escape the stress of the past year while sipping a tiki cocktail at the beach? But where is the best place to go that can offer a bit of relaxation while still being a bit exciting? Well, perhaps you should add a trip to have fun in Cap d’Agde to your travel bucket list!

Why it is fun in Cap d’Agde

It can be fantastic to travel devoid of any planning; however, even the most impulsive holiday makers shall need an elementary understanding of where Cap d’Agde is situated. It is a community of Beziers. It is located 15 miles east of the downtown region. Approximately the population of Beziers is 74,000. For tourists searching for thrilling allures that you can stroll to from Cap d’Agde, you shall not wish to bypass Cap d’Agde Beach. It is wet, full of fun and breathtaking. During the warmer days, Aqualand Cap d’Agde is a marvelous destination for the entire family and you can easily book an accommodation in Cap d’Agde.

Want to escape for the weekend but are still undecided? See why you should consider having fun in Cap d'Agde is one of the coolest places in Southwest France to add to your bucket list! #CapdAgde #VisitFrance #Surfing #Hossegor
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Explore the region of Occitanie

Of course, if you love being on the water, then Cap d’Agde along France’s Mediterranean coast is heaven. But with Toulouse and Montpellier nearby, you may also want to explore the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Or for those of you who love hiking, you can always get lost amid the Pyrenees National Park. But either way, Occitanie is a great central location for various activities & tours like these:

Book an accommodation in Cap d’Agde

Wish to see all there is to discern and partake in whatever there is in Cap d’Agde? Then ensure your accommodation is comfy. Booking the best hotels in Cap d’Agde is an excellent choice if you will be hanging around Cap d’Agde a little bit. You can also amass your preferred meals and save cash by preparing your enjoyable dishes in the built-in kitchens.

Visiting Hossegor

Hossegor is a settlement in Aquitaine, southwest France, about 12 miles to the north of Biarritz. It’s a globally reputed mecca for those who love to surf; however, it does not only offer that as there are lots of other causes to tour. The top spots to stay inside Hossegor are ideal locations whether you are here to surf or just for a vacation. Well known for surfing, Hossegor brags top-notch seashore breaks at La Nord and Graviere and likewise proximate Seignoisse and Capbreton. The township is host to the Quicksilver Pro France tournament every Sept.

Stay in a Hossegor hotel

If you are hunting for a cheap stay in a Hossegor hotel, you might think of visiting in the low season. Visitors will find great inexpensive hotels in Hossegor in May plus November. Room prices differ contingent on numerous aspects; nevertheless, you shall most probably find incredible hotel pacts in Hossegor if you stay on Mondays. On the other hand, Thursday is typically the most costly day.

So Get Packing

So as you can see, whether you want to experience culture, history, or culinary delights, there is plenty of fun in Cap d’Agde for your next long weekend. But what do you think? Have you ever been to Cap d’Agde? Is this a destination that you would add to your southwest France bucket list? Let us know in the comments below what are some cool things you have done visiting this area & inspire other readers today!

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When we travel around the world, one of the coolest Adventure Activities and Experiences, we love is finding a local speakeasy! Perhaps this is because of Darcee’s love for the Roaring 1920s or Eric’s love of cocktails, but there is something cool about finding a secret entrance to a hidden bar! Truthfully, this collection of the 12 Best Speakeasies in Paris might be one of the greatest assortments in one city in the world.

So, pack your bags, and buy flight tickets from New York to Paris or book a flight from Chicago to Paris, to discover the 12 Best Speakeasies in Paris!

But what is a Speakeasy?

Back in January of 1920, the United States underwent a major change known as Prohibition. Now, suddenly, drinking alcohol became illegal. No longer could you walk down to your local bar and purchase a cocktail or a beer. But the result of Prohibition led to a major creation, the Speakeasy.  Also called a blind pig or blind tiger, hidden spots to get a drink suddenly popped up everywhere and you would have to have a secret password to gain entry. On top of that, major crime organizations led by Al Capone in Chicago or Sherman Billingsley in New York City opened up secret bars to entertain their guests.

However, all of the changes of Prohibition in the United States, never really hit Europe. That was until recently when major cities in Europe fell in love with the idea of these secret bars. This is especially seen in Paris where you can now find unbelievable cocktails at secret bars hiding behind unassuming doors.

Know before you Go

To find a speakeasy in Paris is a unique and fun experience & most of the Speakeasies in Paris we found are in areas we felt safe. But as in any place you travel please use common sense and stay to main areas while exploring. This is even more true when in a big city like Paris, at night, & all while you are enjoying some amazing cocktails.

So, if this is something that may concern you may consider taking a guided Paris: Speakeasies and Hidden Bars Nighttime Tour with a local guide and other travelers.  That way you discover how to find a few of the hidden bars & help orient you with other areas to see. 

What are the best Speakeasies in Paris?

1) Le Syndicat

What to drink

If you are looking to explore all things French, then cognac is a must to try here at Le Syndicat. But, their menu also includes variations on the French classics like a Raspberry Negroni or the Calvados based C4 Cocktail.

How to Find Le Syndicat Speakeasy in Paris

Easily accessible by the Château d’Eau Metro Station, Le Syndicat, is at 51 Rue Faubourg Saint-Denis. Head down this street to the rundown storefront that is plastered with old posters, you will then be greeted by a doorman who will grant you entry. Le Syndicat is open daily from 6 pm-2 am and opens at 7 pm on Sunday.

To learn more visit their website: www.SyndicatCocktailClub.com

2) The Lavomatic

What to drink

Though stocked with typical beers and wines, it is in fact, mixed cocktails that are the specialty of the Lavomatic speakeasy. Perhaps start off with a tequila-based Green Lantern or if you love a good Bloody Mary, order The Healthy Mary Detox which mixes in Laphroaig whiskey and vodka.

How to Find Le Lavomatic Speakeasy in Paris

Located by the Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel, Le Lavomatic, is at 30 Rue René Boulanger, near the Republique Metro station. When you arrive at the laundromat, you will first be greeted by a bouncer. Then, once inside the laundromat, find the rightmost washing machine and press the start cycle button to open up the secret doorway behind the machine. You will then head down an old spiral staircase until you reach the hidden bar below. Le Lavomatic is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 pm-2 am.

To learn more visit their website: www.Lavomatic.paris

From secret doors hiding in a Laundromat to walking through unassuming freezer doors, discover the 12 Best Speakeasies in Paris! #ParisSpeakeasy #SpeakeasiesInParis #HiddenBars
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3) Candelaria

7) Le Fitzgerald

8) Baranaan

9) Bar L’Epicier

10) No Entry

11) Gentlemen 1919

12) The Library Bar at the Saint James Hotel

Now go work up a Thirst

So, there you have it, the best Speakeasies in Paris…and more importantly, how to find them. Have you ever found one of these 12 secret bars when you were in Paris? What did you drink? Was it hard to find? Or do you think we’ve missed a great Parisian speakeasy bar?

Of course, there are tons of other amazing things to do in Paris. So, before you go searching for one of these speakeasy bars in Paris, definitely take time to explore the City of Lights. Here are some of our favorite tours you can take:

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Disclosure: This post, “The 12 Best Speakeasies in Paris”, does contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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On Monday, June 27th, 2016, I embarked on perhaps one of my greatest adventures of my life. I flew to Europe and made my way to France so that I could fulfill Adventure Activities and Experiences Bucket list item:

#109) Walk the Camino de Santiago from France to Santiago, Espana.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is 490+ mile pilgrimage across Spain. There are multiple routes, but I had decided to join the traditional Camino Frances Route. This route, in general, starts in St Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees. From there, I became a pilgrim or peregrino and began my walk toward Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Why does one walk the Camino?

The main purpose for the Camino is to make your way to the city of Santiago de Compostela. It is here where it is believed that the remains of the Apostle St. James the Greater are buried. But, people make the pilgrimage for many other reasons. Some use it as a retreat for their spiritual growth. Others walk to discover their past or reveal their future. There are even some people walking in hopes that a miracle. To them, they believe that the Camino may heal them or someone they love. It all kind of sounds like some mystical, religious, self-discovery adventure right out of a C.S. Lewis or Paulo Coehlo novel.

People walk the Camino de Santiago for many reasons. But while you walk, there are some funny but true things & even a few insanities that'll accompany you on this journey. #CaminodeSantiago #CaminoFrances #BuenCamino
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Funny But True Things about the Camino de Santiago

For me, I walked for a mix of it all discovered a lot about myself and my relationship to others. But while you walk on the Camino for days on end, there are also many real-life quirks, funny truths, and even insanities that accompany you on this journey.

Here are some of the funny but true things about the Camino de Santiago I learned along the Way:

1) You will give away the deed to your house back home for a bottom bunk

It doesn’t seem to matter if you are 18 or 80, the idea of climbing up to the top bunk at the end of a hard day of walking is enough to make anyone cry! In most albergues, it is kind of a first come first serve situation, while in others they have an over 40 rule.  However, you will bargain your treasures for the bottom bunk. If you are unfortunate enough to get the top bunk, then you must take care of everything before the climb because you will then enter the contest of “how long can I hold it before I have to climb back down to use the bathroom!”

2) You will politely HATE ALL CYCLISTS!

The first time you see a cyclist struggling to push their bicycles loaded with their saddle bags up a mountain, a sense of pity will encompass you.  Don’t fret, that will only last about 4 hours because then you will pray for them to crash down a mountain.  Why? Because these cyclist will come zipping by you, out of no where, at top speeds nearly clipping your arms and shoving you off the trail as they happily shout, “Buen Camino!” It’s insanity to say the least.  They own a $1,000 bicycle and can’t afford an effing $2.00 bell to warn you!  Stupid Cyclists… “Buen effin Camino!!”

3) By day three everyone qualifies as a registered podiatrist

Feet, feet, feet!  Everyone discusses their feet or the feet of others on the Camino.  Between blisters, bruises, twisted ankles, and lost toe nails every possible subject regarding feet is discussed – by everyone!  The earliest records of visits paid to the shrine dedicated to St. James at Santiago de Compostela date from the 9th century. So, as you walk you will start to wonder what type of space aged leather the pilgrims used for shoes as the Roman roads beat your feet into mush like Ivan Drago beat Apollo Creed’s face in Rocky IV!

Safety Tip: Walking the Camino de Santiago is a relatively safe adventure. But as in any place you travel please use common sense and stay to main areas while exploring. Plus, with any physical activity, please make sure you pay attention to your body. To give you some added security while in Spain, we strongly recommend that you consider getting Travel Insurance from World Nomads.  It is simple and flexible insurance to keep you safe while tackling any bucket list adventure.

4) Everyone has seen The Way, read The Pilgrimage, & owns a Brierly guidebook

You are so excited to start walking in the beginning, especially after seeing THE WAY or reading The Pilgrimage or your Brierly guidebook!  You will ask everyone if they have seen or read them and openly admit that you they are the catalyst to this adventure for you.  I mean why not, they make it seem so wonderful and easy!  But by the first week, you will wonder what map Martin Sheen had because his character was all over the place! On day 2 you will start to create voodoo dolls of John Brierly and wonder if he has ever even walked the Camino because this is way harder than he describes.  With regards to The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coehlo, you will think he must have been tripping out on some serious shrooms as you walk through towns he visited and had his visions yet see nothing that resembles the mystical world!

5) Spain’s metric system is more of a general average rather than an exact science

Perhaps one of the most insane and funny but true things about the Camino de Santiago has to do with math. Spain’s definition of 1 kilometer seems to vary from place to place and sign to sign with a +/- variance of +4 or +10! Wait or was it -22?

But seriously, reading your guidebook or maps will drive you insane as you walk for endless kilometers on end with no similar scale from day to day.  Even legitimate government road signs will vary along the many hours you spend walking toward Santiago, only to find out the next sign added 5 kilometers to the initial sign you read that morning!

6) You will hate energy & water conservation, but only in the bathroom

Spain seems to be doing wonderful work with energy conservation as you see the beautiful horizons lined with windmills.  However, after awhile you are willing to sign any petition that will get the timers off the bathroom lights or the shower water button to last longer than 38 seconds!

7) No one will question that you are following graffiti to your destination

The Camino de Santiago might be the only time in your life where you will deliberately follow crappy yellow spray painted arrows across an entire country and no one will think you are crazy!  I mean imagine if you were back home and you told your parents that you found some spray paint markings under some bridges or on random trees & you wanted to see where they led. They would definitely try to talk you out of it! But on the Camino, you search for them and start get nervous when you don’t see them after awhile!

8) You will carry the Camino with you every day

No this isn’t some sort of deep thought! This is a literal statement.  Of course, you will carry with you, the symbol of a pilgrim, your scallop shell. But also, every time you take off your boots you will pour out pounds of dirt, rocks, and unknown particles!  Suddenly you will feel like Andy from the Shawshank Redemption as he emptied his escape route into the prison yard.

9) You will become a Pyrenees Snob

Well you might become a Pamplona snob, a Burgos snob, a Leon snob, or another location snob to anyone who starts after you! I mean come on, you suffered far harder circumstances and have become an expert on the Camino in the 3 days before they started! Well, everyone can agree that the jerks that start in Sarria will never understand! It’s weird when you realize your contempt for those who start in Sarria as they complete the bare minimum length of the Camino.  Even in John Brierly’s guidebook, he warns to “Beware of signs of irritation at the intrusion on ‘my’ camino…” as new pilgrims enter at Sarria!

10) You will Gain Weight

The Camino de Santiago must be the only event where you will burn 9 million calories a day hiking and come home 15 lbs. heavier! How? Perhaps, it is because the only things to do besides walking is eating & drinking!  Every day you stop for a second and third breakfast before lunch. Then, there is the pilgrim’s menu served everyday for $10 or less where you eat like Arnold getting ready for a Mr. Universe body building competition.  Plus, with 95% of the Camino participating in Siesta, the only thing you have to do in the afternoons is eat and drink wine or ice cold pints of beer!

11) Everyone smiles in the same language

It doesn’t matter where people are from or how good your foreign language skills are, you will be able to talk to anyone – if you want. Don’t get me wrong, you may become an expert at charades by the end of the Camino, but it will be worth all the laughter and memories!

How to walk your own Camino to Santiago de Compostela

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Disclosure: This post, “Funny But True Things About the Camino de Santiago”, may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Funny But True Things about the Camino de Santiago appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

** let me start off by saying that I am writing these diary posts from my cell . So please excuse the format, look, possible grammatical errors, and feel of this presentation for normally I would have a laptop but wanted to disconnect is much as possible while walking the Camino de Santiago.

Week 1: A hard lesson in humility!

July 1, 2016

What a physically rough day. They warn that this day is by far the hardest, but come on isn’t that what they tell tourist? No its 100% true.

I started the morning at the gate of St Jean Pied de port where I found a bench to started my novena and prayed. The weather at 7 a.m. was perfect as I made my way out of town. Throughout the walk you would see many eager pilgrims all wishing each other “Buen Camino”!

But as you leave the city limits you realize why they warn you of the difficulty. See the walk to Roncesvalles is only 25 km or for Americans about 16 miles but in that 16 miles you almost entirely walk up hill ultimately reaching a height of 1450 meters or 4757 feet!

Throughout the first 3 hours, I essentially walked alone amid the crowd. It was pleasant and peaceful as I reflected on my special intentions of the day. They were also beautiful French farms and fields lined with sheep, horses, and cattle. Oddly enough the roads were scattered with enormous black slugs easily 6 inches long or bigger.

Around Orisson, I began walking with a older gentleman who had just left Greenland and was returning to home country of Denmark. He was a bit sad because his 18 year old son didn’t want to leave his girlfriend at home to walk with his father on this walk.

Some time later we met up with 3 others: Lucca from Italy, Max from Germany, and Zack from Sacramento California.  We would all walk and talk and tell our stories while struggling to make it to the peak of Col de Lepoeder.

From that point we thought the hard part was over. Boy were we wrong! The downhill was even worse. The constant hammering on our hips, quads, knees, and shins was brutal. It felt never ending until suddenly we crossed the bridge into our town. Hopefully the cool fog will lift and possibly the rain will be over tomorrow.

July 2, 2016: Roncesvalles – Zubiri

Today almost killed me!

I was so sore from yesterday that I walked very slowly all day (about 2 miles an hour in fact). It was a downhill nightmare on my legs.

I started my morning with the morning prayers and intentions and left in the cold mist alone. It was quiet and beautiful as I pondered millions of thoughts. There wasn’t much to the walk except the difficulty and by 2/3rds I way, I was dying physically.

By 2 p.m. I had made it into Zubiri. It’s a beautiful town and I debated on plowing through to another 5 km to the next town. My legs burned and after talking with other pilgrims, I had decided to stay which was great because we sat and rested at a local bar drinking, smoking, and eating a great Peregrino dinner while relaxing. Tomorrow to Pamplona!

July 3, 2016: Zubiri – Pamplona

It was in Irish kind of day!

James, a friend I met in Zubiri, who is from Ireland and I both left around 7 a.m. At first I stayed with him, but soon he jetted off and I lagged behind. However it didn’t phase me because the day was beautiful as I struggled along the beautiful countryside.
For a while I walk with this young Canadian couple along the Arga River. Then I arrived at Cafe Parada, where James sat with others including this Irish mother Suzanne and her 2 daughters. From that point we all decided to walk together into Pamplona.

The second half the day, though still hard, was fun as the 2 young daughters entertained us with their questions, songs, and stories.  I learned that there is an actual Irish language that is still taught in schools and used in many of the towns. Not some dead language but alive like our Cajun French in Louisiana.

One of the highlights was we had decided to take a detour to an old convent still owned and run by the daughters of Sacred Heart (okay only run by 4 nuns but still). We visited with one of the sisters who laughed at my Spanish and showed us around the beautiful church. We were allowed to climb into the bell tower and ring the bell for good luck. Though we didn’t stay there the convent is also still use as a hostel to feed and house pilgrims for a donation. It was tempting to stay but we decided to head on for Pamplona.

We made our way into Pamplona. The city here was alive and noisy as it prepared for the commencement of San Fermin. We walked around a bit as I sat amid the noise of the plaza next to the famous Cafe Iruna, a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.

Today was a great day!

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July 4, 2016: Pamplona – Puenta De La Reina 

Leaving the city was good. We left fresh and happy making our way to the concrete jungle of Pamplona but this would become our longest day. Susanne is a lovely woman and it amazes me how old she is because she’s always smiling, happy, and positive. Though it is evident that she is a mother as she worries for her this health and safety of her daughters.

Walking the long hot fields to Cizur Menor seemed easy but the heat really slowed us down. This made us search for escape which in turn prolonged our daily battle of walking in the heat. Plus Ayisha, the eldest daughter was struggling physically. Hell we all were beaten and bruised but she seemed worse for wear around her knees.

Then we climbed! It seemed a slow gradual climb but in our condition seemed very hard. However you never can stop and soon we reached the top of Alto de Perdon where we witnessed the famous iron silhouettes of pilgrims as we rested beneath the windmills.

At this point some of our group decided to give up their packs as James and I continued down the valley with our gear toward Puente de la Reina. It was a very long walk down the Mountain. A very  long walk!

I did get a chance to stop at a small town called Obanos, where I got to see the skull of St William encased in silver.

It’s amazing how you find yourself missing out on so much. Much like life I suppose. As you walk down the steep hills of these horrible broken ancient Roman roads, you keep your head down staring at your feet so you don’t fall. It kind of sucks!

Usually we end each day around 2 or 3 p.m. but today we crawled into town around 6 p.m. When we found our albergue, we immediately jumped into the pool and later celebrated surviving with a lot of wine. I never slept so good!

July 5, 2016: Puente de la Reina – Estella

My morning with Greg!

James and I left at our typical 7 a.m. time, while the girls and Greg and Australian man who had joined us, had left out earlier.

However, by the town of Manenu, we had caught up with Greg and he was struggling with many blisters on his feet. So I decided to walk with him for a while as James continued forward to catch the girls. It was great hearing Greg’s story.

Greg is a principal from Perth Australia, who was essentially forced to take a 7 month holiday due to some Australian laws since he hadn’t taken is mandatory Holiday in several years.

However a short while later we had caught James who is with Emelia, a young girl from Denmark who reminds me a lot of my precious cousin Graziella.  It was fun as we passed through the infamously evil town of Cirauqui.

Then by the town Lorca, we had caught up with our Irish family and powered through the last 8 to 9 kilometers to Estella.

Estella is a beautiful town along the river with a castle on a hill. It’s a decent sized town but felt small which was nice. Susanne had also found us a place to stay at the Albergue Anfas which was awesome because it was only 7 euros but also it is run by mentally challenged individuals who took special care of us.

July 6, 2016: Estella – Los Arcos

Today was hot! James, Greg, & I left after my morning prayers as the girls had left and hour earlier.

The walk started out nice into Irache where we got to drink from the famous wine fountain.

But then it just became a very long hot walk through the open farmland without a shade! Sadly Greg fell behind again but we did find the young Canadian couple, Nick & Kelly, again and walked with them for a bit.  James also met up with another northern Irish man named John Greene who joined us.

July 7, 2016: Los Arcos – Viana 

Last night was a rough night of sleep for all of us, plus when I woke up my left foot felt bruised, sore, and was super swollen. It was painful all day.

Luckily the Irish girls and their mother had convinced us all to break up the next two days according to the guide book into three days.

So we started out leaving Los Arcos on the long walk to Sansol about 7km away. I personally like starting out at 7 a.m. and walking for a while before having a breakfast break. I tend to feel more energetic that way. The past few mornings I’ve been drinking cafe con leche which is odd for me since I rarely drink coffee but when in Spain do as the Spaniards do I guess.

From Sansol, we walked to Torres del Rio where I saw Iglesia de Santo Sepulcro, a chapel made for and connected to the Knights Templar.  It was beautiful in its simplicity.

From that point I caught up with James who walks a little bit faster than I and we hobbled into the town of Viana.

At first this town looked like a dirty and depressing industrial town, but as we got closer to the old town you could see its charm.

Susanne saved me again! She had found a real post office and I had decided that one week of walking the Camino was more than enough time carrying this massive weight that I was carrying. So I decided to ditch some clothes, my cold weather sleeping bag, and some other stuff. Although it was expensive, hopefully it saves my feet from the 4.25 kilos or 9.5lbs weighing me down!

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For the last several months, I have often been asked, “Where is your next adventure?”  My reply has been, “I am going on Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago!”

This is then always followed up with, “Why are you going on Pilgrimage? Are you a Pilgrim?”

My Answer: “Am I a Pilgrim?  I don’t know!”  “Why am I walking the Camino? I am not sure.”

According to Wikipedia a pilgrim (from the Latin peregrinus) “is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journey (often on foot) to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system.  Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person’s beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone’s own beliefs.”

On Monday, June 27th, 2016, I will be embarking on a perhaps one of my greatest adventures, a pilgrimage if you will. This is to fulfill Bucketlist item #109) Walk the Camino de Santiago from France to Santiago, Espana.

The Camino de Santiago, often called the Way of St. James has several routes of different lengths.  The traditional and most common route, known as the Camino Frances, is a 490 mile walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain where it is believed that the remains of the Apostle St. James the Greater are buried.

Many take up this route for many reasons: as a form of spiritual path, retreat for their spiritual growth, to discover their past or reveal their future, or in hopes that a miracle touch them or someone they love, and many other reasons.  It is not a hard hike like those who have backpacked the Appalachian trail nor is it a seemingly impossible climb like reaching the peak of Mt. Everest.  However, it is a test of physical, mental, and spiritual perseverance and overall will.

Walking the Camino de Santiago is definitely on my Bucket List! #Bucketlist #CaminoDeSantiago
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So why on earth am I going to take on a 490 mile pilgrimage that will require me to walk for 30+ days?  Am I looking for a miracle?  Do I need some sort of revelation?  Have I lost God?

I guess there is a little bit of “Yes” in answer to all of those deep questions, but I also keep coming back to quote by J.R.R. Tolkien:

“Not all those who wander are lost,” a line from the poem All that is gold does not glitter,

written by J. R. R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings.

It was a line that Tolkien wrote twice. Tolkien first wrote in reference to Aragorn who seemed to wander, but his journeys were always to a purpose.  The second time he uses it, is repeated by Bilbo at the Council of Elrond. He whispers to Frodo that he wrote it many years before, when Aragorn first revealed who he was.

In recent years, I have found a purpose, my Bucket List Project.  It has offered me an outline of many things – opportunities, adventures, and discoveries that are hopefully leading me down the path of a good life.  The world seems a very large place and I can’t believe that I am meant to only live it in one tiny section for my small period of existence only to have it end with no experiences, no education, no adventures, or no self revelation of purpose.  But where do I start?  Where do I find these lessons?  How do I experience these adventures that will help me learn who I am?  For me, the answer has become my Bucket List Project.

Though I am walking the Camino de Santiago to fulfill my bucket list, I am really walking it to find out more about myself.  Will I discover anything at all?  Only time and about 490+ miles will tell.  I hope that each of you will follow along as I walk this path and join me in perhaps my greatest adventure to date. Perhaps this will become a wonderful chapter in the life of my Bucket List Project.

Have you ever gone on the Camino de Santiago or any other pilgrimage before?  Perhaps you have just been on a local retreat?  What have you discovered about yourself or the world?  Please let me know in the comments below so that I can use your comments as points to ponder on my walk.

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I think I need to take a little walk!

Every year around mid January, I sit around and contemplate about what I want to accomplish in the coming year, especially with the Bucket List Project.  I compare what I have been wanting to do versus what is going on in my life.  Then I make out a very raw outline (as seen at My Hopes & Goals of 2016) and share it with everyone.  Personally, I love it when I finally “figure it out” cause it then allows me to start dreaming of the great adventures I am going to take on or the projects I want to accomplish.  Plus I am a list-maker by nature and this allows my scatter brained mind to maintain some sort of focus.

But with life, things are subject to change.  With me, things change can be for millions of reasons but usually its because my heart sees an opportunity and overtakes my brain.

Originally, my Summer 2016 plans were as follows:

June

• #188) See the Synchronous Fireflies in Elkmont, Tennessee
• #5) See my 6 Pack Abs

July

• Do one of my MAKE AMENDS Items hopefully!

August

• #54) Go to a Summer Olympics
• #124) Travel to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
• #185) Visit and Stay with 3 Different Friends who live in Foreign Countries so that I can Reconnect with Old Friends & See that Country through Local Eyes (My Brazilian Friends I met in 2012)

Seemed like a great set of Summer Adventures, but I have decided after much contemplation that I don’t want my first trip to Brazil to be in the insanity of the Olympics and I am missing the fireflies as I type this post.

So what are my new plans???

Well Here goes:

June

• On June 27th I will fly the red eye to Boston & then on to Philly where I will spend a 12 hour layover exploring Independence Hall hopefully
• June 28th – June 29th: Fly from Philadelphia, PA to Lisbon, Portugal
• June 29th – June 30th: ride the overnight train from Lisbon, Portugal to Biarritz, France and then onto St. Jean Pied de Port, France.

July

• July 1st – ????: #109) Walk the Camino de Santiago from France to Santiago, Espana (I will be walking the entire 490 miles of the  Camino Frances and then possibly the additional 50 miles to the coastal area of Finisterre, Espana)
• July???: #185) Visit and Stay with 3 Different Friends who live in Foreign Countries so that I can Reconnect with Old Friends & See that Country through Local Eyes (My Family in Leon, Espana while I am Hiking the Camino)

August

• August??: Figure out how to get from Finisterre, Spain and get to and explore Porto &/or Lisbon Portugal where I will complete – #153) Drink Port Wine in Portugal
• August 10th: Fly from Lisbon Portugal back to Boston
• August 11th: Go with my two Yankee loving cousins (I am a RED SOX FAN!!) &  complete – #55) Return to Fenway Baseball Park to See the Red Sox Play the Yankees

So these are my new updated plans.  Look for new blog articles before I go.  I will be discussing the Camino de Santiago, why I am doing this 490+ mile walk, and some other great insights before I go!

Have big summer plans this summer?  Please let me know in the comments below!  I love to hear about other adventures of all kinds!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

The post My 2016 Summer Bucketlist Plan appeared first on The Bucket List Project.