The Beginning...by NR

October-ish, 2007...We were sitting in Em's car after one of our drives around Sherman in hopes of solving the world's problems, including our own. The ultimate question came: "What are we to do next?" Randomly, Emily said that she wanted to walk across Spain before she went to the Netherlands for graduate school. I (Nikki) was lost and looking for adventure, so I added a hesitant, "I'll come!". Without much detail, we went our separate ways and began to research independently. As months passed and the time grew near, I was no closer to knowing where I was headed and Em had a few things up in the air for her own life. Yet, we were determined and engrossed in the idea of the journey both as friends and individuals. We told our parents bits and pieces along the way, only to hear mixed reactions but overall support. Sure, there were certainly the questions such as, "What are you two thinking?" and "Can't you just go to Mexico for a week?" But we booked the tickets a little over two months ago, beginning the reality of it all and the intense research into what we were signing up for. Emily has made sure we are on track while Nikki has made lists and safety rules. We were accepted into our graduate programs (Em in the Netherlands for Art History; Nik in Seattle for Seminary) and quit our jobs; hugged our parents and bought a lot of blister-care gear. In our own ways of preparing, we have confidence that it will all come together to make one amazing trip. Emily and I will both be using this blog to share bits of our journey along the way. Em and I will undoubtedly have different versions of the same story, so we will make sure both sides are heard! We hope you can join us in laughter, tears, lessons and PRAYER. Check out the information on the side. See you all in 500 miles! Buen Camino!