Starting part way along the camino

[Sal Morgan]

Hi all,
I'll be starting my first camino from Ponferrada in April. I'm getting the train from Madrid in the morning and arriving at around 3-4pm in the afternoon with a view to start walking the next day. I'm just wanting some advice around etiquette/practices for starting part way along the camino route (apologies if similar exists elsewhere, I've done a fair trawl through the forum this evening and only found answers to some of my questions).
On arrival in Ponferrada I should look to get my credential stamped as this will be my starting point, is that right? And with that, will I be okay to stay my first night in an albergue in Ponferrada? I'm just not 100% about the etiquette around whether you can stay in an albergue on your first night given that I will not have walked to Ponferrada (I hope that makes sense!). Any perhaps I'm worrying too much about it, from what I have read it is the credential itself that allows pilgrims accommodation in albergues (or similar).

Hopefully someone can put me right to ease my mind! : )

Thanks in advance,
Sarah

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Sarah, as long as you have your credential you can stay in an albergue and have it stamped there. You have to start somewhere and Ponferrada is your starting point.
Have a great Camino.

 

[Sal Morgan]

Brilliant, thanks so much for your reply wayfarer : )

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The parochial albergue in Ponferrada is large, very rules oriented, and can be crowded. I would suggest the new one, which take reservations:

http://www.gronze.com/guia-del-camino-frances/albergues/albergue-alea

Buen camino!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Hi all, I'll be starting my first camino from Ponferrada in April. I'm getting the train from Madrid in the morning and arriving at around 3-4pm in the afternoon with a view to start walking the next day. I'm just wanting some advice around etiquette/practices for starting part way along the camino route

Hello Sarah, and welcome! First things first, there is no such thing as a "starting point" for the Camino. Ideally it's when you step out of your front door, and some are still able to do it, but for those of us across the pond, not so easy ;0) I have a local "Friends" assocation and it gives out credenciales and stamps them for us - so it's like starting from home. Perhaps you can look for something similar in your area.

I know that the Ponferrada bus station has arrows in its parking lot showing the way to the albergue, perhaps the bus station also does. If it does, follow the arrows and have your credencial stamped once you get there - they may even have them on site for sale. You will be tired, but do take some time to at least take a look at the Templar Castle, it will make you feel as if you are a kid again, or a caracter in a Disney princess movie.

As for other "etiquette" issues: just be mindful of people napping when you arrive, try not to barge in despite of all the weight you'll be carrying on your back. Showers should be short and sweet, and backpacks, bags and stuff not impeeding circulation. Plastic grocery stores are not your friend, because they are loud and will wake others up. Snoring is allowed ;0)

 

[Sal Morgan]

Hello Sarah, and welcome! First things first, there is no such thing as a "starting point" for the Camino. Ideally it's when you step out of your front door, and some are still able to do it, but for those of us across the pond, not so easy ;0) I have a local "Friends" assocation and it gives out credenciales and stamps them for us - so it's like starting from home. Perhaps you can look for something similar in your area.

I know that the Ponferrada bus station has arrows in its parking lot showing the way to the albergue, perhaps the bus station also does. If it does, follow the arrows and have your credencial stamped once you get there - they may even have them on site for sale. You will be tired, but do take some time to at least take a look at the Templar Castle, it will make you feel as if you are a kid again, or a caracter in a Disney princess movie.

As for other "etiquette" issues: just be mindful of people napping when you arrive, try not to barge in despite of all the weight you'll be carrying on your back. Showers should be short and sweet, and backpacks, bags and stuff not impeeding circulation. Plastic grocery stores are not your friend, because they are loud and will wake others up. Snoring is allowed ;0)

Thank you for such a detailed response to my questions above, you have all more than settled my mind and calmed the pre-camino jitters. Perhaps I can take you all with me?! Much appreciated though. I love the way people go to the extremes to pay it forward on this forum, such a good resource.

 

[clearskiescamino]

What a great first day you have in store for you!
I really enjoyed the Bierzo valley

 

[Mark Lee]

The parochial albergue in Ponferrada is large, very rules oriented, and can be crowded. I would suggest the new one, which take reservations:

http://www.gronze.com/guia-del-camino-frances/albergues/albergue-alea

Buen camino!

That is a very nice albergue. Stayed there this past June when I did the Camino. Very gracious lady that runs the albergue and I had a delicious homemade paella dinner there that night.

There is a tourist office in Ponferrada. You may be able to pick up a credential there if you don't already have one. It's not that far from the albergue.

 

[pilgrim b]

Buen Camino Sarah enjoy your adventure

 

[Anemone del Camino]

. Perhaps I can take you all with me?!

Come on out for a slow walk on the Primitivo and we can walk together ;0)

And BTW, did not mean to deprive you of Camino jitters: no matter how many times I head out, I always get them, and have learned to love them ;0) Why is it that I always imaging the Everest and the desert when it comes to infrastructure when I think of the Camino, even if I know it is far from both. And how many times do I have to rethink what goes in my bag? Just part of the process. You will have a wonderful time, just take it a step at a time, and carpe diem.

 

[Sal Morgan]

That is a very nice albergue. Stayed there this past June when I did the Camino. Very gracious lady that runs the albergue and I had a delicious homemade paella dinner there that night.
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There is a tourist office in Ponferrada. You may be able to pick up a credential there if you don't already have one. It's not that far from the albergue.

Thanks Mark, I did some research on the albergue and it does look great. I'm happy to hear a good recommendation from someone who has stayed there and that paella looked great! Big fan of the paella - guess I'm going to the right place!

 

[Sal Morgan]

Come on out for a slow walk on the Primitivo and we can walk together ;0)

And BTW, did not mean to deprive you of Camino jitters: no matter how many times I head out, I always get them, and have learned to love them ;0) Why is it that I always imaging the Everest and the desert when it comes to infrastructure when I think of the Camino, even if I know it is far from both. And how many times do I have to rethink what goes in my bag? Just part of the process. You will have a wonderful time, just take it a step at a time, and carpe diem.

I think that is super advice and exactly the right attitude to approach my journey with! I suppose nerves are natural when heading into the unknown, no matter how many wonderful photos and maps you look at! But I won't be letting that put me off! : )