Run Baby Run!

So, you've got to be prepared to run if you're going to run. It's about a mile. We will avoid the first leg, which is the most dangerous and where most people are gored. But there are two other dangerous sections that need to be traversed carefully.

Check out this San Fermin Google site for more information on the route, history of injury locations and other details.

Overall for our trip, we need to consider the following:

• travel backpack
• two compression bags (clean and dirty undies)
• accessory/toiletry bag
• two pairs of shoes (nice/going out shoes and comfortable shoes)
• zip-off pants/shorts
• passport
• money belts
• global cell phone (mine is unlocked so I'll buy a sim card over there)
• sun tan lotion
• bathing suit
• a couple pairs of pants (day and evening options)
• several shirts (day and evening options)
• camera
• and probably more that I'm forgetting
• Hostelling International membership
• train guide
• hostel guide
• general guide (local phones, country codes, etc)
• and probably others (I will continue to update log as I remember)

Generally, I don't bring guide books. I prefer to read some ahead of time and then toss them so we can walk the city and discover the amazing elements of the town within its natural setting. There is nothing worse than popping from one tourist trap to another. It's better to spend some time at the local cafes and take in the scene, feel the vibe and pulse of the area.

Spirituality

So, all this list talk... er writing on my part, has gotten me thinking. What is spirituality? Different for everyone. Is there a God? Yes, I believe so. I may not prescribe to all the details, but I believe the big picture to be true and always have. Some events, people, interactions in your life are meant to happen for a reason. A reason we don't always see at the moment, but which is meant for us. In my life, I've had many such defining moments, including a severe car wreck in 1997, and several other near death (or severe maiming) incidents, such as my pulmonary embolism, etc., as well as having met and befriended some pretty incredible people.

Yes, there is too much beauty in the world for the Great Spirit not to have been involved. God is everywhere and when you are in moments of doubt, you don't necessarily need to go to a church, you need only to go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. I'm not big on organized religions, but I've been both Lutheran and Catholic and on occasion, you'll find me at Second at Six or another such service. (I like to spread it around.) Great time for reflection. In fact, I recommend you sneak into a church long before or after a ceremony and sit to quietly reflect. You'll find more answers.

When I went to Europe the first time, I visited all the churches and always dipped my hand into the Holy Water (which admittedly did sometimes boil upon my touch). I bought a bible for my parents and blessed it at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. I also have a scar on my knee from the church. Maybe it was a sign, or maybe I'm a klutz. Anyway, I won't bore you with details of the knee story, many of you already know it, but it probably was one of my better moments as a son.

(On a side note: the church is a must see, regardless of how religious you are or of your religion. It is awe-inspiring. During a sunny day, these large beams of light shine like massive lasers down from the ceiling to the ground in a manner that makes you think the Great One himself is reaching out to you. See here for a pic, but it doesn't do it justice)

Just a few points of reflection.

Remaining Items

So, what's left? Not much. Sure, it's evolving, but there isn't much left on the original list. Probably the following:

• Run with the Bulls (this summer)
• Mardi Gras Party in New Orleans (don't really even want to anymore, but maybe just to check it off)
• Travel to all 7 Continents (only been to two I think)
• Travel to all 50 States (Not sure where I'm at, but certainly over half)

I'll probably knock off the first two in the next 12 months. As you know, the Bull Run is this summer and then maybe a Mardi Gras party next year. The last two are easier and probably part of a splintered and final "Life List." Less dangerous and more easily shared, this list will consist mostly of travel and ways to better enjoy life. I'll try to refine it and create the "Life List" over the next several days.

Adventure Archive: Reflections

I've been pretty blessed over the years, not just because I'm still alive and have a healthy family and great friends, but that I'm still alive! I've had some crazy adventures and done some pretty stupid things throughout my life (and I'm not even counting my love life!). In any case, some time ago someone asked me if I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish. I started a "things to do before I'm 30" list that eventually turned into a "Bachelor List." This is a list of adventurous or fun/stupid items that I might never have considered if I had someone else to consider. Or maybe it's just that I always sought someone that was equally adventurous and could keep up. I dunno. I'm rambling. This is the worst intro ever. See below for a list of fun activities that I've been lucky enough to undertake:

• Skydiving
• Snorkeling
• Bungee Jump
• Canyoning
• Paragliding (over the Alps, not the same as parasailing in ocean)
• Glacier Ice Climbing
• Rock Climbing
• Crowd Surfing
• Alpine Rock Climbing
• Mountain Biking
• Party in Times Square for the Millenium
• Downhill Ski Slope Mtn Biking
• Night-time Drunken Mtn Biking (one of the dumber things)
• Whitewater rafting
• Mini-Marathon
• Marathon
• Multisport Races - Duathlons, etc
• Snowboarding
• Skiing
• Water Skiing
• Cliff jumping
• Crowd Surfing
  
• Jet Skiing
• Boogie Boarding
• Sledding
• Start a Business
• Travel Extensively Outside the U.S.
• And more (I'll try to add as I remember)

Hostel Membership

Secured our Hostelling International membership today!

(Trust me, it will be safer than this.)

Route: Running of the Bulls

In this map of Pamplona, you can see the route of the Running of the Bulls.

While in Pamplona, we will be staying at Hotel Blanca de Navarra.

So far, we've only made reservations for Pamplona. We're going to remain flexible during the rest of our stay for right now.

Spain Journey Preparation

Our exciting summer journey to Spain begins with some real planning this weekend. We're still hoping that a sixth friend - possibly Keith - will join us for the adventure, but we have five people ready for some memorable fun:

• Me
• Ted
• John
• Rob
• Shawn
• Keith (new addition as of June 4th)

I will soon post some more info on the cities we plan to visit, including details of the famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Additionally, I will try to continue the blog throughout our trip as Internet cafes allow.

For the journey, Ted and I will depart early on July 4th for Madrid. We will eventually be joined by Shawn (via Germany) and both Rob and John in Pamplona on July 11th. We will stay in Pamplona at least through the 15th before departing, likely for Barcelona. We return at different times, but Ted and I will be back in Indy late on July 2oth.

We expect this to be one crazy journey that's really needed by each of us for varying reasons. However, it will be just another memorable time in a helluva blessed lifetime for each of us. Everyone always says, "live your life with no regrets." It's true, but let's face it - we all have regrets. It's just that time makes them fade away as you realize your path unfolded as it was supposed to do. But one thing I've always firmly believed:

In Life: Create An Interesting Novel of Experiences.

I think this is important. It helps us to strive to live life to the absolute fullest. Sure, we need to maintain balance between work/play, etc. But we also need to remember to play! Drink that glass of wine and go for a run. Tackle the mountain. Cook. Love. Live. Whatever it is, grab life by the horns and hope not to get gored... but realize the greatest rewards come from the greatest risks.