French Breakfast: Bread, jam and coffee. Not a hiker's best friend, as it generally leaves you hungry about an hour later. Juice is a wild card. Once we were only given the empty juice glasses, as if to say, 'Here's what you're missing out on, suckers." Another time I took a huge swig of what was referred to as 'apple juice' only to realize too late that it was fermented and about 80 proof. A shock to the system, but did help ease the leg pain.
Worm Sign: Inspired by "Dune", the name we've bestowed upon the red and white trail way markers. As in, "Mom, look! A worm sign! We don't have to backtrack!" Sometimes also called Worm Tail in moments of trail delirium. Worm Signs signal straight ahead, left, right, and my personal favorite, an X (do not go this way!) just in case you were thinking about getting lost for a few hours.
Sticks!: A commonly used phrase when your absentminded trail buddy
nearly impales you with a trekking pole.
Big Boy and Long Guy: The toes that give mom the most trouble.
Hot Spot: A sore place on the foot that needs immediate attention to avoid a blister.
Moleskin: The savior of feet. Adhered to hot spots.
Gite: A pilgrim hostel in France. Sometimes your own room; other times shared dormitories.
Pelerin and Pelerine: Male and Female pilgrim. I have certainly made the mistake of using the wrong one. Raised eyebrows ensue.
Chemin Caillote: A rocky trail, of which France has MANY, that makes us consider having Aunt Liz bring us new boots in Spain.
Dessert: Cheese, cheese and more cheese. I awake each morning unable to breath out my nose. Is it worth it? Yes, yes it is.
Olive Break: A snack break often involving a package of olives. Green... Black... Pitted... Unpitted. We don't discriminate - is not the way of the Camino.
Top Notch, Side Zip, Bottom Rung, Main: The parts of our backpack. Often used when trying to get the other person to pull something out of your bag so that you don't have to take it off and put it back on again.
"Hught. Ugh.": The sound made when putting on said backpack.
Mireille: The author of one of our guide books. Phrases include, "Thank you, Mireille!" or "Damn you, Mireille!" depending on situation.
Oasis: Fountains intended for pilgrims to refill their water.
Joint Lubricator: Wine and/or beer.
Sleep Sac: A portable sheet-like sack used when bedding looks skanky or the heater doesn't work in the room.
Scavenging: Scouring the village for food be it for dinner, tomorrow's breakfast or food for the next day's hike. Scavenging is usually accompanied by bickering and/or expletives as we discover places are closed for 3 more hours or entirely for holiday.
Pulling A Shirley: Drawing from Shirley MacLaine's metaphysical journey on the Camino, a moment when we venture into the great beyond - i.e. when one must hover above one's own body because the pain is too great or when one hallucinates on the trail (like when mom mistook the sight of sky through the trees for a set of large white buildings.)
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