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VdlP - fall 2016 - pre planning

izzybella9

Solvitur Ambulando
Time of past OR future Camino
2011
I am retiring next year in July 2016. I have a tentative plan to do 8 weeks of language school in Cadiz (I already have a strong background in Spanish) and then start the VdlP from there in mid September. I would love to hear from anyone with thoughts, ideas, suggestions on the route, time of year, etc. I did 80% of the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles in the Spring of 2011 (had to cut out @ 160 KM in the middle due to time constraints.)

I feel called to do this route as I "walk into retirement" but do feel a little nervous as a single women setting out alone on a route with lower numbers of folks on the route. I know I do not want to do the Camino Frances again just due to sheer numbers of people. Again, any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. I feel like I need to plan a little more for this one than I did for the Frances.

Thanks All!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Good on you! Have a look at Stephen Haig's recent videos on Youtube. I have found them very interesting to get an idea of the terrain. He went in Spring having recently completed.
I start the VDLP next month and will be blogging madly so my kids know what I am up to.
 
I am retiring next year in July 2016. I have a tentative plan to do 8 weeks of language school in Cadiz (I already have a strong background in Spanish) and then start the VdlP from there in mid September. I would love to hear from anyone with thoughts, ideas, suggestions on the route, time of year, etc. I did 80% of the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles in the Spring of 2011 (had to cut out @ 160 KM in the middle due to time constraints.)

I feel called to do this route as I "walk into retirement" but do feel a little nervous as a single women setting out alone on a route with lower numbers of folks on the route. I know I do not want to do the Camino Frances again just due to sheer numbers of people. Again, any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. I feel like I need to plan a little more for this one than I did for the Frances.

Thanks All!

I hate to be an aguafiesta on this ... you can stay for 90 days maximum. See schengen visa information.

Schengen area border and visa policies
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/index_en.htm
 
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Great way to move into retirement!

A Camino friend and forum member @Camino Samoset Santiago completed the Cádiz-Muxía stretch on April 30th. Look under Other Routes Vía Augusta for details. You may be alone till Sevilla but will meet pilgrims from then on.

Temperatures were lovely (inho) when I walked in September - October. It was from Granada but I met up with the Plata in Mérida (had already walked Sevilla - Mérida twice). I was alone (no one else up to Mérida) and albeit loney did fine as I speak Spanish.

I am a 58 year old woman and felt very safe walking entirely by myself. Feel free to pm me should you have particular questions.

Enjoy the planning!
 
Great way to move into retirement!

A Camino friend and forum member @Camino Samoset Santiago completed the Cádiz-Muxía stretch on April 30th. Look under Other Routes Vía Augusta for details. You may be alone till Sevilla but will meet pilgrims from then on.

Temperatures were lovely (inho) when I walked in September - October. It was from Granada but I met up with the Plata in Mérida (had already walked Sevilla - Mérida twice). I was alone (no one else up to Mérida) and albeit loney did fine as I speak Spanish.

I am a 58 year old woman and felt very safe walking entirely by myself. Feel free to pm me should you have particular questions.

Enjoy the planning!


Thanks for the encouragement and assurance LTfit. I'm a little concerned about being lonely on this route but my spanish is fairly good and I plan to improve before I go so I will be able to chat with the locals. Did you find adequate accommodation along this route in Sep/Oct? Sorry, I haven't figured out how to PM on here yet.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Good on you! Have a look at Stephen Haig's recent videos on Youtube. I have found them very interesting to get an idea of the terrain. He went in Spring having recently completed.
I start the VDLP next month and will be blogging madly so my kids know what I am up to.

Hi Donna, yes, reading the posts about the robbery made me nervous and got me started posting/pre-planning.

I look forward to following your posts along the route!

Buen Camino Peregrina!
 
On March 29, 2013 I retired from work. A week later I took my first step on to the VdlP. It was a marvelous, exhausting, spiritual and transformative journey. I put together a web site with pictures and ramblings that may give you an idea what I experienced (http://camino.bsewall.com/index.html).

You said you feel called. What a gift. Maybe the following will help:

SOMETIMES A MAN STANDS UP DURING SUPPER
by Rainer Maria Rilke

Sometimes a man stands up during supper
and walks outdoors, and keeps on walking,
because of a church that stands somewhere in the East.

And his children say blessings on him as if he were dead.

And another man, who remains inside his own house,
dies there, inside the dishes and in the glasses,
so that his children have to go far out into the world
toward that same church, which he forgot.

(I dislike being politically correct, however the poem would work better for me if it went "Sometimes a man or woman stands up.....)

Regardless, Buen Camino and welcome to the pilgrimage of retirement!
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
@izzybella9 Accommodations on the Mozárabe from Granada were a mixture of polideportivos (sleeping on gym mats in the dressing room of local gyms which was free), a few municipal albergues and a few private ones. Maybe if the numbers go up there will be more pilgrim accommodations. Locals were always very helpful and surprised to see a woman walking on her own.
 
@izzybella9 Accommodations on the Mozárabe from Granada were a mixture of polideportivos (sleeping on gym mats in the dressing room of local gyms which was free), a few municipal albergues and a few private ones. Maybe if the numbers go up there will be more pilgrim accommodations. Locals were always very helpful and surprised to see a woman walking on her own.
Thanks for that info. It's good to know there are other women out there hiking on their own.
 
On March 29, 2013 I retired from work. A week later I took my first step on to the VdlP. It was a marvelous, exhausting, spiritual and transformative journey. I put together a web site with pictures and ramblings that may give you an idea what I experienced (http://camino.bsewall.com/index.html).

You said you feel called. What a gift. Maybe the following will help:

SOMETIMES A MAN STANDS UP DURING SUPPER
by Rainer Maria Rilke

Sometimes a man stands up during supper
and walks outdoors, and keeps on walking,
because of a church that stands somewhere in the East.

And his children say blessings on him as if he were dead.

And another man, who remains inside his own house,
dies there, inside the dishes and in the glasses,
so that his children have to go far out into the world
toward that same church, which he forgot.

(I dislike being politically correct, however the poem would work better for me if it went "Sometimes a man or woman stands up.....)

Regardless, Buen Camino and welcome to the pilgrimage of retirement!



Bsewall thank you so much for the poem. I find it very inspiring. I felt called to do the French Way when I turned 50 and had an amazing experience. After that wonderful adventure I am even more excited about doing the VdlP next year.


I have some trepidation about the lack of other pilgrims on the route in comparison to the CF but I look forward to more time for reflection and meditation as well as more opportunity to interact with local folks.


I didn’t train much for the CF but because I am aware of the longer stretches on the VdlP I have started my training in earnest last week, well over a year before my camino. I know it will be worth it.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Izzybella , I can totally relate to what you're thinking.

I love the idea of walking this camino and I've put aside 2 months in 2016 but I am nervous about feeling isolated. I love the camaraderie on the Camino Frances but it did feel busy at times. I also worry about the long days on the VdlP and lack of services. I also dont have great spanish and whilst have time to learn the basics I'm never going to be fluent and this worries me a little on such a remote route .. but for some reason regardless of my concerns I am still drawn to this camino.

I have a desire to walk from coast to coast (Med to Atlantic) but that may be just too long. Either way, I've pencilled in Autumn 2016 so I may see you on the path! :rolleyes:
 
Izzybella , I can totally relate to what you're thinking.

I love the idea of walking this camino and I've put aside 2 months in 2016 but I am nervous about feeling isolated. I love the camaraderie on the Camino Frances but it did feel busy at times. I also worry about the long days on the VdlP and lack of services. I also dont have great spanish and whilst have time to learn the basics I'm never going to be fluent and this worries me a little on such a remote route .. but for some reason regardless of my concerns I am still drawn to this camino.

I have a desire to walk from coast to coast (Med to Atlantic) but that may be just too long. Either way, I've pencilled in Autumn 2016 so I may see you on the path! :rolleyes:


LesBrass,

Yes, the VdlP seems to bring new challenges of prolonged isolation and distance but I’m hoping it will provide time for deep reflection as I move into a new phase of my life’s journey.

I too was hoping to walk coast to coast – Cadiz to Finisterre. However, I also want to do at least 4 weeks of language school in Cadiz before my camino so with Visa limitations I may not be able to walk water to water but I am committed to walking the entire route between Sevilla and Santiago.

I look forward to staying in touch as we plan our caminos. It would be great to meet some day on the trail.

Buen Camino!

Deb
 

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