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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Super newbie...newbie questions (sorry)

sam ferris

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
None. First one.
Hiya. Planning to do Camino Frances for my 50th birthday (November 2nd) and just starting to look at stuff online now. SUPER overwhelmed. This forum is pretty fantastic, but I need the basic stuff first. Where can i find a map/resources to map out my trip? I want to walk for 7 days ending up in SdC. I'm thinking about 20 kms per day. Good? I'm fit and a fast walker. Good for 5-8 hours per day. How do I back time this trip to figure out where to start? And how do I know which places to find accommodation? Help. I'm lost. ;0 Thanks.
 
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Hello, Sam, and a warm welcome to the Forum :) Below are a couple of links which may be of help as you begin

FAQs about a pilgrimage on a Camino

The good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:
  1. Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, if anxieties and fears threaten to overwhelm you as you plan, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
  2. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
  3. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
  4. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
  5. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
As far as back timing your trip... based on your figures in your post, you need to start 140 km before Santiago de Compostela, so maybe starting at Triacastela or O Cebriero?

For a various maps and resources, go to the top of the page and you will see 'Resources' in the menu bar. There is a wide variety of helpful stuff there.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Hello, Sam, and a warm welcome to the Forum :) Below are a couple of links which may be of help as you begin

FAQs about a pilgrimage on a Camino

The good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:
  1. Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, if anxieties and fears threaten to overwhelm you as you plan, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
  2. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
  3. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
  4. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
  5. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
As far as back timing your trip... based on your figures in your post, you need to start 140 km before Santiago de Compostela, so maybe starting at Triacastela or O Cebriero?

For a various maps and resources, go to the top of the page and you will see 'Resources' in the menu bar. There is a wide variety of helpful stuff there.

Ohmygawdthankyousomuchforthis. Lol. Will take deep breath and proceed. A pal of mine is on it right now and said it's easy peasy.....but i'm a control freak and flying by the seat of Canadian pants is easier said than done. And I"ve already found a map. Yes, looks like O Cebreiro might be a good starting point....provided it's easy to get there. Thanks!
 
Ohmygawdthankyousomuchforthis. Lol. Will take deep breath and proceed. A pal of mine is on it right now and said it's easy peasy.....but i'm a control freak and flying by the seat of Canadian pants is easier said than done. And I"ve already found a map. Yes, looks like O Cebreiro might be a good starting point....provided it's easy to get there. Thanks!
@sam ferris
I maintain that we Canadians are great at flying by the seat of our pants. We practically invented it (my youngest brother is a bush pilot). To find your way from anywhere to anywhere by public transit, try https://www.rome2rio.com/ . If you enter O Cebreiro as your destination, it will direct you how to travel to Pedrafita do Cebreiro, by plane then bus. From Pedrafita do Cebreiro you can go the rest of the way by taxi. This link gives more details: https://vivecamino.com/en/o-cebreiro/connections/ . Consult the Alsa bus website https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/alsa-experience/plan-your-journey/purchase-channels/internet to purchase your ticket from wherever you land in Spain to Pedrafita do Cebreiro. Buen camino from a Calgary pilgrim.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Hi Sam, I went back with a group of friends to just do the last bit. We decided to stay in small hostals/pensions. See attached with various stages that we did. 6 days walking and a bit of time in Santiago. I have left the various places that we booked in. If you want to book accommodation, we did most of it using booking.com. The location in Santiago is just off the main square and can be emailed directly.
 

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@sam ferris
I maintain that we Canadians are great at flying by the seat of our pants. We practically invented it (my youngest brother is a bush pilot). To find your way from anywhere to anywhere by public transit, try https://www.rome2rio.com/ . If you enter O Cebreiro as your destination, it will direct you how to travel to Pedrafita do Cebreiro, by plane then bus. From Pedrafita do Cebreiro you can go the rest of the way by taxi. This link gives more details: https://vivecamino.com/en/o-cebreiro/connections/ . Consult the Alsa bus website https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/alsa-experience/plan-your-journey/purchase-channels/internet to purchase your ticket from wherever you land in Spain to Pedrafita do Cebreiro. Buen camino from a Calgary pilgrim.
Thanks for the tip on Rome2rio. I downloaded the app.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Sam I'd say you're great fun wish I was on the Camino same time as u!! You'll fly it dude! What a way 2 spend your birthday!!
 
There are plenty of resources available for someone planning their first Camino.

There is, of course, this forum site, and someone has already pointed you to the FAQs.
There are many guidebooks. I used the Brierly and the Village to Village guide (the latter is available as an ebook, the former only has the maps and accommodations list available in ebook format).
There are a number of useful websites and apps. If you do a search of "apps" on this forum, or in the "Equipment Questions" forum you will see lots of people's opinions on which are the best. Personally, I didn't try and pick just one of them. When I looked at the cost of the apps in the context of my overall investment in the Camino (time and money) the cost of any app seemed so small, and the weight was nothing, that I took a bunch. That way I could find out on the trail which worked best for me and I could cross-check them against each other.

Another couple of options you might find useful:
There are books (generally in e-book format) specifically for planning one's first Camino. For example, this Forum's own SYates publishes "Pilgrim Tips & Packing List: What you need to know beforehand, what you need to take, and what you can leave at home". I got a few of them on the same reasoning that I described above on apps.
I also found YouTube very useful in preparing for my 2016 Camino. There are many videos of people discussing what they took, what worked and what didn't. I also really enjoyed watching people's vlogs of their Caminos. You can find some recommended ones in these threads: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-vlogs-to-watch.57402/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/best-videos-on-vimeo-or-youtube.57776/
 
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
@sam ferris
I maintain that we Canadians are great at flying by the seat of our pants. We practically invented it (my youngest brother is a bush pilot). To find your way from anywhere to anywhere by public transit, try https://www.rome2rio.com/ . If you enter O Cebreiro as your destination, it will direct you how to travel to Pedrafita do Cebreiro, by plane then bus. From Pedrafita do Cebreiro you can go the rest of the way by taxi. This link gives more details: https://vivecamino.com/en/o-cebreiro/connections/ . Consult the Alsa bus website https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/alsa-experience/plan-your-journey/purchase-channels/internet to purchase your ticket from wherever you land in Spain to Pedrafita do Cebreiro. Buen camino from a Calgary pilgrim.
Thanks. This is hugely helpful. :) (Vancouver, BC girl)
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
There are plenty of resources available for someone planning their first Camino.

There is, of course, this forum site, and someone has already pointed you to the FAQs.
There are many guidebooks. I used the Brierly and the Village to Village guide (the latter is available as an ebook, the former only has the maps and accommodations list available in ebook format).
There are a number of useful websites and apps. If you do a search of "apps" on this forum, or in the "Equipment Questions" forum you will see lots of people's opinions on which are the best. Personally, I didn't try and pick just one of them. When I looked at the cost of the apps in the context of my overall investment in the Camino (time and money) the cost of any app seemed so small, and the weight was nothing, that I took a bunch. That way I could find out on the trail which worked best for me and I could cross-check them against each other.

Another couple of options you might find useful:
There are books (generally in e-book format) specifically for planning one's first Camino. For example, this Forum's own SYates publishes "Pilgrim Tips & Packing List: What you need to know beforehand, what you need to take, and what you can leave at home". I got a few of them on the same reasoning that I described above on apps.
I also found YouTube very useful in preparing for my 2016 Camino. There are many videos of people discussing what they took, what worked and what didn't. I also really enjoyed watching people's vlogs of their Caminos. You can find some recommended ones in these threads: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-vlogs-to-watch.57402/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/best-videos-on-vimeo-or-youtube.57776/
thanks for this.
 
@sam ferris
I maintain that we Canadians are great at flying by the seat of our pants. We practically invented it (my youngest brother is a bush pilot). To find your way from anywhere to anywhere by public transit, try https://www.rome2rio.com/ . If you enter O Cebreiro as your destination, it will direct you how to travel to Pedrafita do Cebreiro, by plane then bus. From Pedrafita do Cebreiro you can go the rest of the way by taxi. This link gives more details: https://vivecamino.com/en/o-cebreiro/connections/ . Consult the Alsa bus website https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/alsa-experience/plan-your-journey/purchase-channels/internet to purchase your ticket from wherever you land in Spain to Pedrafita do Cebreiro. Buen camino from a Calgary pilgrim.
Thanks so much for the listing of transportation sites! I've been struggling finding maps and transportation info that is written in English but then again, I'm a geezer who is poor at the internet in general!
 
Hi Sam, a few of the thoughts and things that worked for me, as I did my first Camino this year, starting 1 May, finishing 1 June this year.
1) dont plan too much, take it as it comes, some days you will want to walk far, others you wont.
2) I took 2 changes of clothes, and all worked well for me, half my sack was medication / suppliments
3) I placed my trust in toe socks (Injinji), and in my case, I am certain that they helped me in not getting as many blisters, I thought they were wonderful
4) buy boots 1 size to big,
5) I got out early in the mornings to enjoy the tranquility of walking on a lonely path, a wonderful experience particularly on the Messita with the sun rising on my back and lighting everything up
6) dont get hooked up with the same person for too long if they are starting to get on your nerves, as this can be restrictive, I attracted a "Klingon" on my first day, and it took me a week to shake him off as I was too kind to tell him I wanted to go my own way,
7) I have restrictive dietary needs, but I found no problem,
8) be kind and open, and you will be more than rewarded,
9) cherish every moment, even the inevitable hard times, as there will be some, but you will look back and smile at the oddest times afterwards,
10) keep in touch with those you shared the road afterwards, I have done this, and its only those who have done it that will ever understand the rewards it brings.
11) don't stress about backing too much, as you can get rid of stuff on route by donating it in Albergues, and some hard up person may be more than grateful....
12) blisters, you will get them, it doesn't take long to get used to them, and you will learn to live with them
My trip was a bucket list thing, and meant a huge amount to me as I have stage 4 cancer. I loved it more than I thought, and long to be back on the road if the body hold up. The people you will meet all have their own story, and there is something deeply personal and therapeutic in learning to share, not only the road, but your story, your food, your time, your time and your emotions.
In Ireland we say that a stranger is a friend we havent yet met. I think the Camino exemplifies this.
May the road rise up to meet you
Philip
 
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€46,-

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