FriarforLife
New Member
Hello Everyone!
I have to say that joining this forum might have been one of the best things I could have done for myself before I embark upon my modest camino. Instead of opting for a guidebook on the camino I chose to buy one reflecting on the meaning and experience of the camino (Following the Milky Way by Elyn Aviva) to help prepare myself which means now I have to do a little more research on my own. However first things first: I am a student studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain. One of the things my uncle told me upon hearing that I would be studying in Spain was that I had to do the Camino. Thus with a little bit of research, stress little, and a lot of interest in doing it I have given myself about 8 days to walk the last stretch of the Camino Frances before I fly home. The more I think about it the more I wish I had set aside more time to walk more but alas reality (and a finite reserve of money) must catch up with me at some point.
I have a few questions I would be immensely grateful for should anyone be kind enough to offer their advice, wisdom, or general good wishes in response. My itinerary is as follows: I land in Santiago de Compostelo on a Saturday around 6 pm and I fly out of Santiago de Compostelo on a Tuesday at 6:55 am ten days later. My plan is to leave my two large suitcases with everything I have to bring back home in either a hostel or another business (I have researched it a little bit- from what I heard it could cost around 3 Euros a day for each bag) while I walk the camino. Then my goal is to take a bus out of Santiago to a city along the route and begin my trek back on foot. I know it may seem a bit backwards but it seemed like it made the most sense back when I booked the plane tickets and there is really nothing I can do now. Thus, I was wondering what would be a good distance to walk per day for a strapping 21 year old such as myself and what would be a logical place to begin my walk (I am praying that the buses will run on Sunday and I will be able to leave Santiago the day after I land). I know that the minimum to receive a compostela is 100 kilometers (making that the town of Sarria I believe) but as of late I have begun to think that I could do more. Hopefully this is where you all come in to play.
I would like to challenge myself but not go overboard where I cannot relax and see the sights along the way. I want to leave room for spontaneous things that may come up but I don't want to be at Santiago in four days wishing I had walked more. I also feel as though I am able bodied- I walk and ride my bike everywhere in Sevilla and I ran track and cross country in high school although I am a little out of shape now. I have no idea though if any of that will matter when it comes to walking part of the Camino. Another concern of mine is what I will have to bring. After reading some previous posts (extremely helpful!!) I realized that many people bring sleeping bags and mats to sleep on. My camino will take place at the end of May and I am not entirely sure how crowded places will be and how it will affect what I will have to bring sleeping wise. My intention though is to do this camino at the bare minimum cost (I am in college this is acceptable right) while at the same time not taking anything away from the camino or harming myself in any way. I just think that with my age and financial situation I haven't and do not plan on having any problem "roughing it up" a little bit more than the average joe. That being said, I plan on packing really light and just using my regular backpack and sturdy, stable all purpose gym shoes. I don't want to sound ignorant but by then I just don't think I am going to be able to sink a lot of money into this, also keep in mind I am only walking for about nine days I am guessing.
So to sum up, after hearing a little bit of what I already know (flight itinerary) and what I would like to accomplish would anyone be able to offer some advice on the following: where to take a bus to from Santiago that would give me a manageable distance for someone in my position and age to walk in about eight to nine days. I figure one full day in Santiago before I leave is a good idea just to relax and should anything happen (keeping the fingers crossed). Also, what is the absolute bare minimum that I should bring as far as sleeping goes? Any other goodwill and wisdom would also be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I posted this in the right place. I look forward to hearing whatever you have to say. Thanks a ton.
Matthias
I have to say that joining this forum might have been one of the best things I could have done for myself before I embark upon my modest camino. Instead of opting for a guidebook on the camino I chose to buy one reflecting on the meaning and experience of the camino (Following the Milky Way by Elyn Aviva) to help prepare myself which means now I have to do a little more research on my own. However first things first: I am a student studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain. One of the things my uncle told me upon hearing that I would be studying in Spain was that I had to do the Camino. Thus with a little bit of research, stress little, and a lot of interest in doing it I have given myself about 8 days to walk the last stretch of the Camino Frances before I fly home. The more I think about it the more I wish I had set aside more time to walk more but alas reality (and a finite reserve of money) must catch up with me at some point.
I have a few questions I would be immensely grateful for should anyone be kind enough to offer their advice, wisdom, or general good wishes in response. My itinerary is as follows: I land in Santiago de Compostelo on a Saturday around 6 pm and I fly out of Santiago de Compostelo on a Tuesday at 6:55 am ten days later. My plan is to leave my two large suitcases with everything I have to bring back home in either a hostel or another business (I have researched it a little bit- from what I heard it could cost around 3 Euros a day for each bag) while I walk the camino. Then my goal is to take a bus out of Santiago to a city along the route and begin my trek back on foot. I know it may seem a bit backwards but it seemed like it made the most sense back when I booked the plane tickets and there is really nothing I can do now. Thus, I was wondering what would be a good distance to walk per day for a strapping 21 year old such as myself and what would be a logical place to begin my walk (I am praying that the buses will run on Sunday and I will be able to leave Santiago the day after I land). I know that the minimum to receive a compostela is 100 kilometers (making that the town of Sarria I believe) but as of late I have begun to think that I could do more. Hopefully this is where you all come in to play.
I would like to challenge myself but not go overboard where I cannot relax and see the sights along the way. I want to leave room for spontaneous things that may come up but I don't want to be at Santiago in four days wishing I had walked more. I also feel as though I am able bodied- I walk and ride my bike everywhere in Sevilla and I ran track and cross country in high school although I am a little out of shape now. I have no idea though if any of that will matter when it comes to walking part of the Camino. Another concern of mine is what I will have to bring. After reading some previous posts (extremely helpful!!) I realized that many people bring sleeping bags and mats to sleep on. My camino will take place at the end of May and I am not entirely sure how crowded places will be and how it will affect what I will have to bring sleeping wise. My intention though is to do this camino at the bare minimum cost (I am in college this is acceptable right) while at the same time not taking anything away from the camino or harming myself in any way. I just think that with my age and financial situation I haven't and do not plan on having any problem "roughing it up" a little bit more than the average joe. That being said, I plan on packing really light and just using my regular backpack and sturdy, stable all purpose gym shoes. I don't want to sound ignorant but by then I just don't think I am going to be able to sink a lot of money into this, also keep in mind I am only walking for about nine days I am guessing.
So to sum up, after hearing a little bit of what I already know (flight itinerary) and what I would like to accomplish would anyone be able to offer some advice on the following: where to take a bus to from Santiago that would give me a manageable distance for someone in my position and age to walk in about eight to nine days. I figure one full day in Santiago before I leave is a good idea just to relax and should anything happen (keeping the fingers crossed). Also, what is the absolute bare minimum that I should bring as far as sleeping goes? Any other goodwill and wisdom would also be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I posted this in the right place. I look forward to hearing whatever you have to say. Thanks a ton.
Matthias
