| Let's talk shoes. Sure, France is known for fashion. But high-heeled fashion a happy pilgrim does not make. Throughout our days, we'll be doing a lot of walking, climbing a fair number of steps, and encountering some uneven payment and cobblestones. So leave THESE monstrosities at home, ladies (you too, gentlemen who wish to emulate Louis XVI!)! |  |
I know that if my feet hurt, I'm miserable. So, I've already started trying out good and faithful walking shoes, to see which one(s) will make the trip, and keep me a happy pilgrim. And oh, the considerations.... which will give good support, but not be too heavy, too clunky, or just too hard to get on and off in airport security?
Please allow me encourage you to give a little thought to your footwear. Walk around for a mile or more (or wear the candidates all day on an active day) to be sure they feel good and are in good shape and don't tire you out. And if you decide you need/want to buy a new pair, now is the time to break them in (don't let Day 2 of the Pilgrimage be your first time walking in them, or I predict Day 3 will find you grumpy.). (And if white sneakers fulfill all your criteria for good footwear, so be it! Just don't be surprised if they hand you the tourist menu when you stop for lunch! Seriously: well-fitting shoes trump 'fashion' on any day that involves lots of steps.)
Please allow me encourage you to give a little thought to your footwear. Walk around for a mile or more (or wear the candidates all day on an active day) to be sure they feel good and are in good shape and don't tire you out. And if you decide you need/want to buy a new pair, now is the time to break them in (don't let Day 2 of the Pilgrimage be your first time walking in them, or I predict Day 3 will find you grumpy.). (And if white sneakers fulfill all your criteria for good footwear, so be it! Just don't be surprised if they hand you the tourist menu when you stop for lunch! Seriously: well-fitting shoes trump 'fashion' on any day that involves lots of steps.)
And while you are packing....
Hotels in Europe generally do not supply washcloths. My advice is to pack your oldest, most worn out one and toss it at the end of the trip.
One of these little scrubby-poof thingies also packs down to nearly nothing and barely weighs a few ounces- and IT could be thrown away at the end of the trip, too. (You need to make room for the souvenirs!)
And- since we're on the subject of freeing up space, packing your oldest underwear and tossing it after you wear them is another little way to lighten the luggage, if even by a little bit. Just don't wear the old ones on flight days--- THAT'D be the time you'd get chosen for that 'special patdown', wouldn't it?!
Finally, those of you who have gone on our pilgrimages previously know that Catholic Travel would give us carry-on bags. Most of us would pack them in our checked bag or inside a smaller carry-on and pull them out for the trip home. Catholic Travel Centre has discontinued distributing carry-on bags, so please think about what you'd like to bring with you. Remember: you may have one checked bag and one carry-on, plus one personal item. Here's a link to Delta's luggage guidelines. Please pay attention to size and weight restrictions. Your one checked bag will not incur fees (unless it is over the weight or size limit).
Hotels in Europe generally do not supply washcloths. My advice is to pack your oldest, most worn out one and toss it at the end of the trip.
One of these little scrubby-poof thingies also packs down to nearly nothing and barely weighs a few ounces- and IT could be thrown away at the end of the trip, too. (You need to make room for the souvenirs!)
And- since we're on the subject of freeing up space, packing your oldest underwear and tossing it after you wear them is another little way to lighten the luggage, if even by a little bit. Just don't wear the old ones on flight days--- THAT'D be the time you'd get chosen for that 'special patdown', wouldn't it?!
Finally, those of you who have gone on our pilgrimages previously know that Catholic Travel would give us carry-on bags. Most of us would pack them in our checked bag or inside a smaller carry-on and pull them out for the trip home. Catholic Travel Centre has discontinued distributing carry-on bags, so please think about what you'd like to bring with you. Remember: you may have one checked bag and one carry-on, plus one personal item. Here's a link to Delta's luggage guidelines. Please pay attention to size and weight restrictions. Your one checked bag will not incur fees (unless it is over the weight or size limit).
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