Planning on a Camino in 2014

[chrisbalz]

Hi there, my wife and I are planning to go on a Camino and I want to experience it in a traditional way unlike my wife's plan to go with a tour company where everything is planned like good accommodations on every stop, luggage transfers, etc. Is it more practical to do all those stuff but still experience the camino spirit? Because I wanted to experience the traditional camino spirit, self-guided walk, you know staying in albergues on every stop, to experience what most of you guys had experienced "the real camino". I feel like doing the camino with a tour company where everything is prepared and arranged for me is not the "essence of camino" anymore should I insist to do it in my own traditional way or my wife's way with a tour company? Please help on this I need your opinions...

 

[chrisbalz]

Sorry I forgot to introduce myself, my name is christopher and I live in Melbourne, Australia. My wife and I will be walking in 2014.

 

[Dianausa]

Christopher,
my husband and i are also going with a company, however itisselfguided meaning that all they do for us is have a hotel or guesthouse waiting for us and transfer our bags. I wanted to sleep in the albergues too but my hus and sleeps very bad so we agreed 50/50. I have always wanted to walk el camino and i will do whatever i have to do to get there! We stll will be sharing meals and thewalk witheveryone. So don't be discourage and enjoy your walk.
buen camino !

 

[davidinaus]

interesting question , i am not sure that simply staying in auberges in itself constitutes a "real camino" - others may have a different view - all you are effectively doing is outsourcing the booking of accommodation, staying somewhere more comfortable and having someone move your luggage....your will still be walking the camino, meeting and interacting with others,,,and having the experience

i wouldn't stress about it


cheers

david - also in melbourne

 

[Mysticl]

I will be doing my Camino in 2014 as well. Plan to go in May. I will be 55 by the time I go, I'll probably still be somewhat overweight but MUCH less than I was 3 years ago ... the one thing I know is that I will be as fit as I can make myself. I plan to walk carrying my own gear and I am working on making sure my pack is as light as I can make it. Personally I feel that if you are able (not everyone is for many many reasons and I understand that ... I might end up as one of them) you should walk the Camino and carry your own gear. If you do go the other route that is your choice but please keep in mind that the alburges are there primarily for those walking the route carrying their gear. I know I'd be very annoyed by the time I straggle in at the end of the day to see folks who had a MUCH easier time of it than I did, relaxing with a cheap bed forcing me to possibly have to move on if the inn was full ... just a thought ... it sounds like those tour companies have you stay in alternate accomodations though and that seems appropriate to me ... and for heavens sake don't pick up your pack just outside town like I hear some folks do and then try and pretend you walked all the way with your gear ... it's one thing to recognize your limitations and choose a lighter path but quite another to do so and then pretend you didn't. I can respect the former but I can't the latter.

 

[Freetime]

Mysticl,
I too will be 55and shooting for late April to early May to begin on the Frances route. Perhaps we will meet up and share a vino or cafe.

Tony

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[Mysticl]

Re read my post and it sounds like maybe I am being a bit too negative. I want to make clear that there is no "right" way to do the Camino and if your wife feels more able to handle the hardship of walking by going the tour route it's better she do that than not go at all ... I totally understand that for some folks the tour route is the best way to realize their dream. I personally am afraid my body will not handle it well myself even though I plan to try and carry my gear and who knows there might be the odd day that I accept my limitations and maybe even a lift, but I hope to be more stubborn than that I am lucky enough to be able to take things slow as I have no time limitations and I am hoping that will carry me through but not everyone has that. My only personal concern are the folks who try and "game" the system and I want to be clear that I don't in any way think that all the folks who go the tour route are like that ... it's just that according to some posters on here, there are some less scrupulous folks out there who do, and it's THOSE people that irritate me.-

 

[Mysticl]

Great news Tony ... I'll be the lady limping along but refusing to quit I am not so worried about Day 1 since i am planning to stop in Orrison but the second day has me a little spooked ... even cutting the first day into 2 parts still leaves a daunting walk for me getting in to Roncesvalles. I am good to go on the flats but the mountains still freak me out, especially since it's do or die, I may end up crawling the last few kms Hopefully by then I'll be in better shape ... we live in a place with lots of mountainous trails just have to work up to it I look forward to sharing a bottle of wine with many many fellow pilgrims! Hope we get a chance to meet

 

[Freetime]

There is another option that could save your knees Mysticl.
The Valcarlos route is flatter but a couple of kilo longer than the Napoleon route. Because it is flatter most bicyclists take that route.
I have been thinking of this route to start my Camino off slowly as well. The Orrison albergue is about 10km from St Jean while the Luzaide albergue in Valcarlos is about 11km from St Jean.
The trail here is along a road that follows the course of the Nive river. Photos I've seen show beautiful valleys and a panaramic view across the river. It is said to be the path / valley used by Charlemagne when crossing back to France after his Spanish incursion. Hence the name Valcarlos.


Tony

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[Mysticl]

Hmmm never even thought about that! Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to take a stroll with Google Maps to see how things look! I kinda had my heart set on the traditional footpath but your suggestion may be the wiser course. I guess I'll have to see how I do on the mountain trails here in BC as I train up. So far I have been hiking relatively flat to moderate trails primarily trying to get the distance up there before I started to add an elevation gain. Going to do an 8 km trail tomorrow weather permitting and see how the joints and feet manage. I have lots of time left to train but it never hurts to go for a walk

I figure if I can manage 8 km uphill here then it should be easy in Spain, especially since I'll be high on adrenalin and new sights to see! But if all else fails I think I'll take your advice, there is no shame in taking care of old bones

 

[mspath]

Mysticl,

I agree with Freetime. The Valcarlos route is a fine option for getting from SJPdP to Roncevalles. It is the only route suggested by the gendarmes for winter walking in snow. Since I am old I have followed it on all my caminos both autumn and winter. The municipal albergue in Valcarlos is very pleasant. However the Valcarlos route still mounts up and should not be considered flat or easy in any way.

Happy planning and Buen Camino!

Margaret

 

[chrisbalz]

Thanks for your different views/opinions guys I really appreciated it. It somehow helped me how to approach things and to be more aware of each one' s limitations. First and foremost I was really happy that my wife is coming to take the camino with me because she was not that convinced when I told her about my burning desire to walk after I saw the movie hehe! It really inspired me, was so engrossed with it that I always talk about it everyday to my friends since then hehe. Yes it will be a self-guided tour but all accommodations are booked on every stop and luggage transfers. I assure you we will still be bringing our personal backpacks as we walk along. My wife's only concern is to have a peace of mind after every long walk we'll have a better place to have a good night rest especially if we are doing it for the first time and if you arrive late to the next stop or town. It is somewhat practical also because we will be bringing extra stuff with us as it will be our first time to visit Europe and planning to take a holiday after the camino. Blessings!

Christopher

 

[Mysticl]

Can't say I blame her for that! I am a lot like that too. I'm still unsure myself of how well I'll take to the dorm style sleeping arrangements ... I don't usually have a problem but i do like my privacy and my husband has insomnia so the snoring could become problematic for him. I am hoping to manage with maybe the occasional private night/rest day but for once in my life I am leaving the planning up in the air to see how it goes ... I can always decide at the end of each day which way I want to go ... being retired has it's advantages! I hope whatever route you decide, that your Camino is as rewarding as possible for you both. May the sun shine and the winds be light