Went shopping for quick drying shirts, shorts and sweat pants with light weight in preparation for trip. It turns out that Target and Walmart have a line of quick drying clothes that cater to the athletes and backpackers. They’re made of synthetic fibers that keep you warm, are lightweight and dries in a jiffy. Perfect… Continue reading 22 Sep 2018 – “Search for Light weight and quick drying outfits”

Finalized towns to visit and stay overnight as follows: Leon Ponferrada Villafranca Sarria Melide Lavacolla Santiago

Fr.Ryszard returns back to Houston from his three week vacation. He described how he spent most of his time with his mom and dad at their house in the outskirts of Poland. Fr Kulma is in his early forties so we kid around as his mom was born the same year I was born. We… Continue reading 31 Aug 2018 – “Pocket drone for Overhead photos”

Decided to sign up with a group that would start the pilgrimage from Leon to Santiago via the “French Way”.  Leon is ~330 km east of Santiago and the group was organized by an agency based in Dublin, Ireland.  However, there are no convenient direct flights from Madrid to Leon (also ~330 km north of… Continue reading 22 Aug 2018 – “Outline of Pilgrimage”

I’ve decided to proceed with the camino challenge per my original plan so I locked in my air flight with Air France before the fare escalates before my eyes.  Several reasons why I have to do it this year:1) I’m not getting any younger.  Who knows … my knees and legs may give out on… Continue reading 20 Aug 2018 – “Proceed with Original Plan”

The visiting childhood friend of our pastor, Fr Lescek Rastawicki, is returning back to his home country of Poland after four weeks vacation in Houston. Our pastor, Fr Ryszard Kulma travelled with him to start his three weeks vacation in his former home base. Fr Kulma asked me to drop them off at the airport… Continue reading 13 Aug 2018 – “More tips on Pilgrimage”

Received disappointing news that Fr. Mabanta could not find a substitute for his pastoral work and was therefore compelled to abandon his plan to join me on this trip at this time.

While I await for some anticipated news from Fr.Frankie about the CAMINO, the church where I volunteer my services, was broken into at 2:00 am this Tuesday morning.  I had to deal with the Sherriff’s department and the Security alarm company in the wee hours of Tuesday morning to view security camera recording of the… Continue reading 7 Aug 2018 Tue – “Residual Church Volunteer work”

I decided to try my 1st Camino hotel accommodation reservation using Trivago.  It turns out that it is not as complicated as I thought it would be.  No penalties for cancelling 2 days before the reserved date.  It costs only €59 for 1 night stay and it is for a whole apartment which can accommodate… Continue reading 5 Aug 2018 Sun – “Trial Hotel Reservation”

I reached out to Fr. Manny Domingo, the filipino priest based in Compostela, by email and he confirmed that Fr.Mabanta would be able to say mass as long as he shows his “celebret”, the official church document issued by the priest’s archdiocese recognizing his authority to conduct a Catholic mass.