Sara Jean
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- I'm planning on walking the Camino July (2015)
Hi Everyone!
My name is Sara and I'm a vegetarian from California and currently living in Hungary. I've just made the (somewhat) last minute decision to walk the Camino de Santiago St. Jean Pied de Port-Santiago de Compostela-Finisterre in late June-early August this year (45 Days - 2015 summer). I've been spending hours researching, and thought this might be a good place to get advice from people who have already experienced the Camino.
Question #1: Travel to St. Jean Pied de Port
I will be traveling in Italy with my mom and will end my trip in Trento before heading to the start of the Camino... I think it probably makes the most sense for me to fly out of Milan, Verona, or Venice? Money is going to be pretty limited but I have a lot of time, so I want to try to save as much on transportation as possible. I don't mind taking a bus, train, or plane, and don't mind having a few stops and long travel hours, if it is the cheapest way to travel.... I only want to make sure that, if I do need to transfer, I have sufficient time to figure out where to go for the next leg of the journey (and enough time to buy the ticket)... since I don't speak French, Spanish, or Italian, I expect it will take me a little longer to figure that stuff out.
Question #2: Cost of the Camino itself
Most things I have read so far indicate that I should budget 30-35 Euro/day, but I've found little explanation of exactly how this amount is formulated. I found a cost calculator online (http://caminoteca.com/en/camino-frances/cost-calculator), and it looked like it would be closer to $25/day, but I'm not sure if something is missing. I want to make sure that I get the most out of this experience, so I don't want to be too stingy with things... (if I meet people and they want to grab a beer or coffee, explore something that may cost money in a larger city, etc, I don't want to miss out on making some great memories based on budget, but I also don't want to go overboard and want to be as frugal as possible in every other aspect). I, in theory (assuming getting to St Jean is inexpensive), can afford the 30-35 Euro/day for 45 days, but my ending bank account balance will be very low, and I'm concerned about that...
Question #3: Vegetarian Meals
I am vegetarian, and concerned about veggie-friendly meals for pilgrim meals, and also veggie-friendly options in grocery stores and bars for lunch. Any words of advice, or information to ease my nervous mind?
Question #4: Backpack & Sleeping Bag
Since this is a last minute trip, I didn't bring a proper-sized backpack... I only have my 70L (Gregory Deva 70L - weighs 2.5 kg!), and my 28L daypack (Marmot Kompressor Summit - super light... weighs 740 grams)... the 28L doesn't have a rigid structure, and it's hip belt is a little flimsy. Since I'm low on funds, I'd prefer not to purchase a new backpack... do you think the 28L backpack will be large enough? Also, I'm toying with the idea of taking a thin silk sleeping bag liner instead of sleeping bag, but I'm super concerned about this option. I'm concerned because I like cuddling with a blanket when I sleep, but mainly concerned about being cold at night. I already have the liner, so this would not only cut down on weight and space, but also on cost.
Question #5: Mailing packages in Spain/Italy/France
Since I'm traveling with my mother in Italy before walking the camino, I will have extra stuff (cute shoes, dresses, more makeup etc). Is it relatively inexpensive to mail things in Europe? I can either mail the excess items to my cousin's house in Hungary, or to Santiago de Compestela. I read that Santiago will only hold things for you for 30 days. Is that true? I will likely need them held 45-50 days. What do you think is the best/cost effective solution?
Okay. Those are all of my questions! I know it's a lot... but please answer whatever you can, even if it's only one question. Thank you SO MUCH for your help!!
Sara
My name is Sara and I'm a vegetarian from California and currently living in Hungary. I've just made the (somewhat) last minute decision to walk the Camino de Santiago St. Jean Pied de Port-Santiago de Compostela-Finisterre in late June-early August this year (45 Days - 2015 summer). I've been spending hours researching, and thought this might be a good place to get advice from people who have already experienced the Camino.
Question #1: Travel to St. Jean Pied de Port
I will be traveling in Italy with my mom and will end my trip in Trento before heading to the start of the Camino... I think it probably makes the most sense for me to fly out of Milan, Verona, or Venice? Money is going to be pretty limited but I have a lot of time, so I want to try to save as much on transportation as possible. I don't mind taking a bus, train, or plane, and don't mind having a few stops and long travel hours, if it is the cheapest way to travel.... I only want to make sure that, if I do need to transfer, I have sufficient time to figure out where to go for the next leg of the journey (and enough time to buy the ticket)... since I don't speak French, Spanish, or Italian, I expect it will take me a little longer to figure that stuff out.
Question #2: Cost of the Camino itself
Most things I have read so far indicate that I should budget 30-35 Euro/day, but I've found little explanation of exactly how this amount is formulated. I found a cost calculator online (http://caminoteca.com/en/camino-frances/cost-calculator), and it looked like it would be closer to $25/day, but I'm not sure if something is missing. I want to make sure that I get the most out of this experience, so I don't want to be too stingy with things... (if I meet people and they want to grab a beer or coffee, explore something that may cost money in a larger city, etc, I don't want to miss out on making some great memories based on budget, but I also don't want to go overboard and want to be as frugal as possible in every other aspect). I, in theory (assuming getting to St Jean is inexpensive), can afford the 30-35 Euro/day for 45 days, but my ending bank account balance will be very low, and I'm concerned about that...
Question #3: Vegetarian Meals
I am vegetarian, and concerned about veggie-friendly meals for pilgrim meals, and also veggie-friendly options in grocery stores and bars for lunch. Any words of advice, or information to ease my nervous mind?
Question #4: Backpack & Sleeping Bag
Since this is a last minute trip, I didn't bring a proper-sized backpack... I only have my 70L (Gregory Deva 70L - weighs 2.5 kg!), and my 28L daypack (Marmot Kompressor Summit - super light... weighs 740 grams)... the 28L doesn't have a rigid structure, and it's hip belt is a little flimsy. Since I'm low on funds, I'd prefer not to purchase a new backpack... do you think the 28L backpack will be large enough? Also, I'm toying with the idea of taking a thin silk sleeping bag liner instead of sleeping bag, but I'm super concerned about this option. I'm concerned because I like cuddling with a blanket when I sleep, but mainly concerned about being cold at night. I already have the liner, so this would not only cut down on weight and space, but also on cost.
Question #5: Mailing packages in Spain/Italy/France
Since I'm traveling with my mother in Italy before walking the camino, I will have extra stuff (cute shoes, dresses, more makeup etc). Is it relatively inexpensive to mail things in Europe? I can either mail the excess items to my cousin's house in Hungary, or to Santiago de Compestela. I read that Santiago will only hold things for you for 30 days. Is that true? I will likely need them held 45-50 days. What do you think is the best/cost effective solution?
Okay. Those are all of my questions! I know it's a lot... but please answer whatever you can, even if it's only one question. Thank you SO MUCH for your help!!
Sara