Packing for a Two Month Pilgrimage
Step One

Fifth Week of Lent 2022

Dear Friends,

It is time for another pilgrimage and so my thoughts are focused on preparation for this exciting and long-sought-for time. Except for my one day to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, back on New Year’s Eve, I have not been on pilgrimage since 2019. We all know why- COVID! So, I am very excited.

There are many aspects of preparation, such as deep reflection, study, finding a good tour company that specializes in pilgrimages, reserving travel plans, and packing. For me knowing what to pack can be very challenging because each trip is different. So, that is what I would like to focus on for this week.

I may have mentioned before, I do have a packing list perfect for me that I finally perfected back in 2019. That was after 26 years of trial and error. Unfortunately, that packing list can only serve as a basis for this trip because I am going to be in many different climates and levels of travel, from very budget-friendly to luxurious. I need sturdy walking shoes, ball gowns, modest dresses, and clothes for inclement weather. My tiny 35 Litter backpack is not going to work.

I am going on three ships, which include 7 formal dinners, an island retreat, and two bus tours. The ships will have laundry facilities onboard, but the Catholic pilgrimages touring by bus will not provide time to do laundry. So, I have to plan accordingly. I have to have clothes for a span of eighteen days, without washing. True, I may be able to do wash during this time, but I have to plan as though I will not be able to.

Also, as this is based on a Catholic pilgrimage, I want to keep my wardrobe conservative. Which is how I like to dress anyway. Dresses mostly.

This is what I would like to focus on this week, what dresses to take that will cover all occasions, without overpacking.

I begin by laying out all my dresses, skirts, blouses, and travel clothes on my bed. I choose six skirts, two of which can be used for either casual or formal. Then, sorting through my travel collection of clothes, which is a collection of easy-care quick-dry walking pants, and an assortment of solid-colored t-shirts and classic button-up shirts. Most of them I purchased from travel stores such as Patagonia, Eddie Baur, L.L. Bean, and various outdoor clothing stores in Britain. I decide on five basic t-shirts that I can wear with the skirts- black, brown, pale lavender, pale blue, and pale pink (I do like some color to break up the monotony of earth tones).

I also chose two simple t-shirt bodysuits, one white and one black, along with four basic solid colored lightweight cardigans that I can wear to cover my arms inside churches and

other sacred places.

These cardigans are perfect to put over all of these t-shirts and each will match several of my skirts to make several outfits. I chose lightweight because it will be summer, and they will pack up small in my suitcase.

Along with these shirts and cardigans I am taking along one formal cream-colored blouse that I can wear with the two skirts that can be made formal. To give me even more variety for formal nights, I am taking along two wide belts of different colors and some formal-looking costume jewelry. It is a good idea to take costume jewelry, rather than expensive jewelry in case it gets lost or stolen.

I would mention here, in keeping with being conservative, my skirts are all between my knees and ankle length. If you are shopping online this usually is called “midi” length. All my shirts are modest as well.

Now looking at my choices I put them aside in a pile. I will continue to add to this pile over the next week or so because the process of packing has only just started. Knowing what colors and style I am going with I now feel confident that my next step will be easier. That is shoes. I have decided that I am going to wear walking sandals for the most part of my journey, and so tomorrow I am going shoe shopping. I will let you know how it goes next week.

Yours in Christ Light- Jody