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2laughinggals · 5 years
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Via Francigena Day 1
Via Francigena Day 1
When I finished walking the 800 km (approx. 600 miles) Camino de Santiago last summer, I knew I wanted another similar adventure. To be honest, giving myself the gift of 40 days of solitude to just be was the greatest gift ever. So this year, I’m taking another ancient pilgrimage, the Via Francigena.This walk begins in Canterbury England, and ends in Rome and Ionly have the space to walk the…
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2laughinggals · 5 years
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Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica- Letting life happen
Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica- Letting life happen
Sitting on my host families front porch, I sip my coffee and scroll through yesterday photographs of my journey from San Jose to Playa Flamingo. I opted to say with a host family as a way of improving my Spanish during my studies at Centro Panamerican Ideomas (CPI) language immersion course. My host parents had just left to milking their cows when I heard a banging at the gate. Looking up I…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago day 6: Lorca to Los Arcos
Camino de Santiago day 6: Lorca to Los Arcos
Difficulty level: 1 The grade was mostly flat; however, the sun was extremely hot and there was little shade on the trail.   
Distance walked: 30 km (18.6 miles)
Times: 10+ hours
  I write this as I am sitting outside the Iglesias de Santa Maria de la Asunción cathedral in Los Arcos at a local cafe.  I am desperately trying to find something to eat that doesn’t include meat.  In a country that…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago Day 5: Zariquegui to Lorca
Camino de Santiago Day 5: Zariquegui to Lorca
Zariquegui to Lorca
Difficulty level: 2 A steep grade crossing over Alto de Perdon
Distance walked: 26.6 km or 16.5 miles
Times: 9 hours
Psalm 121I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord,  who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago - Day 4: Larrasoana to Zariquegui
Camino de Santiago – Day 4: Larrasoana to Zariquegui
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2: 4
Larrasoana to Zariquegui
Difficulty level: 1  Highest elevation 500 meters
Distance walked: 26.6 km or 16.5 miles
Times: 9 hours
This day started unusually early as the rustling of pilgrims getting their bags packed woke me around 5 am. Most pilgrims like to start early in order to beat the heat of the…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago - Day 3: Roncesvalles to Larrasoana
Camino de Santiago – Day 3: Roncesvalles to Larrasoana
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11: 28-39 (NIV)
Walking Day 2
The rustling of people leaving their beds and packing up started around 5 am.  Anxious to get a jump on the day, I loaded up…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago - Day 2: St. Jean to Roncesvalles
Camino de Santiago – Day 2: St. Jean to Roncesvalles
When we step out in faith, God is there waiting for us.  I was excited to make the trip by myself; however I was very intimidated about the first leg of the trip as I knew it would be difficult, and not well marked. Both turned out to be true. The trail was incredibly difficult. On a scale of 1-10 this was a 15. Beautiful, but difficult.
St. Jean – Roncesvalles 15.3 miles
Difficulty level: Max –…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago - Day 1
Camino de Santiago – Day 1
I made it to Madrid and am currently above the planes of Northern Spain on my way to San Sebastián. I see the snow covered pyranese mountains in the distances and the patchwork hills beneath me. I believe that may be Pamplona which if it is, I’ll be crossing through it in three days. There is something very peaceful about being in Spain. The tranquil and flowing language, the attitudes of…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Camino de Santiago - My 40 Day Journey
Camino de Santiago – My 40 Day Journey
For those who are not familiar with the Camino de Santiago, it is a pilgrimage across Spain.  Actually, there are many pilgrimages across Europe that lead to the same destination – Santiago, Spain.  It is believed that in the Cathedral de Santiago lies the bones of St. James, the apostle of Jesus.  For further reading, I have posted a link.  
Camino Day 1
Thas been an interesting start to my 40…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Impressions of Africa - Faces of Uganda
Impressions of Africa – Faces of Uganda
Ugandan’s are known for their hospitality. They are a warm and generous people with bright smiles and time for conversation. I though I’d start this blog with a few of my favorite photos taken in various locations around Uganda.
Returning from Gulu where we visited the refugee camps, the van in which we were riding ran out of gas.  Stranded in front of a factory, Mohammad the security guard came…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Impressions of Africa Day 1 – Travel
Impressions of Africa Day 1 – Travel
  The flight to Africa is foreboding and definitely not for the faint of heart. Yes, I realize that flying to Asia or Australia from the U.S. is longer, but after 13 hours of being in a cramped airplane with broken down seats, I was more than happy to arrive in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. As we deplaned, I took a deep breath of humid air fragrant from the tropical vegetation. Walking through…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Impressions of Africa
Over the years I have found that my best travel experiences are when “life” happens.  My recent trip to the continent of Africa was one of those times and over the next several posts I will share about this life altering trip that has forever altered my point of view.
  Africa was not on my 2018 travel agenda by intention. Quite the opposite, it was a last minute trip that “found” me.  With a…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Friday Link & Likes: Travel & Transportation Apps
Friends, This week I want to give a shout out about two of my favorite travel/transportation apps. Lyft Ridesharing – There has been some negative publicity lately about rideshare services (mainly Uber) but don’t let that dissuade you from using them.  I personally use Lyft and find it to be efficient and inexpensive.  For those that regularly use this service, you will agree that it is just a…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Stop Comparing and Start Loving Yourself!
Friends, I recently posted this meme and the response was overwhelming.  Several people wrote and thanked me for the reminder.  This year, let’s learn to love ourselves by taking our eyes off our flaws and putting them on the flawless nature of God!  If we consider God perfect, then we must remember that He created us in His perfect image. Here are three habits of mind to embrace for a victorious…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Do Not Dare Not To Dare
Do not dare not to dare ~ C.S. Lewis January in the Northeast is, well, January in the Northeast.  The weather is cold, the days are short, and the skies are grey.  Combined with the dismal weather, a bomb cyclone has made its way up the eastern seaboard causing schools to be canceled for the past week.  What’s a teacher to do?   With all this time on my hands, I’ve been thinking, meditating, and…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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Make 2018 The Year of Why Not!
Happy 2018 Friends, I love January 1st.  That date represents closure of the past and an opening to the endless possibilities the new year 2018 holds.  Even though we don’t have control over what will transpire in 2018, we do have control over our attitudes and actions.  We also have the power to dream, set goals and plan.      January offers a time to dream new dreams and set new goals.  A time…
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2laughinggals · 6 years
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San Juan, Puerto Rico- Post Maria
Everyone should have that one travel destination that makes them happy.  A place that brings out feelings of nostalgia and a sense of homecoming everytime you visit.  For me, Puerto Rico is that destination. I love the climate, the beaches, the people, and most of all the fact that it is only a 4-hour flight from DC. So, whenever I need a deep rest, some vitamin D in the form of the sun, and a…
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