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I had to stop my 2019 solo Camino at Sarria for the reason you cited: too crowded with fresh pilgrims making the last 100 kms, partying in their high-heeled sneakers. No judgement, just the way it is. I decided to forgo the Compostela the third time, and to respect my internal desire for...
Yes, very good advice. I went to an outfitter and found that my right foot was a half size longer than my left and my left foot was wider than my right. I had sized out of women’s sized hiking boots altogether and went to a men’s shoe sized up one size. My feet looked like small SUVs and I...
Get a small microfiber camp towel to keep weight down. Consider carrying a sarong as a wrap which can do other duties: picnic blanket, improvised sac, etc.
I did the descent on the shale path with great trepidation and as slowly as possible. It had just rained and was extremely slick and steep. If you can avoid this by going down the road, I recommend. This time I was solo, and a young man coming down half an hour later, fell and broke his leg on...
Margaret,
Your words of wisdom and kind, encouraging spirit have been a blessing for us pilgrims for lo, these many years. I think I can speak for many pilgrims when I say that we are so grateful and honored by your presence on this forum. More than once you have helped me through a difficult...
I joined the forum in spring 2012 to prepare for my first Camino that fall with my spouse after watching “The Way” which inspired so many Americans to make the journey. We walked the Frances from SJPP to Santiago and I was hooked. No phones nor apps so we took whatever lodgings we could. It was...
At age 55, the Camino Frances was my first in 2012 with my spouse. SJPP to Santiago from the US. We carried no electronics except a digital camera and music on headphones. Used the Brierly and tore pages out as we went to reduce weight. Communicated home via euro-fed albergue computers with keys...
....the Wise Pilgrim guide for CF from the store here on the forum. It will give you great insight into many details of the Way, including lodgings.
I would add that the Wise Pilgrim App is very helpful (and there are others) in that it can show you lodgings and allow you to book through...
Wise Pilgrim app for the CF was great and I used it a lot to check elevations, accommodations and special hints near problem areas. Very good for navigating through cities and downloadable maps were good. Yes the app is not always up to date on all Camino changes but the directions will not...
If you don’t like the idea of the heat of July ( I wouldn’t dream of walking it in July) perhaps consider another time of year like late September or in April/May. Might suit your temperament a bit better. My temperament is not suited to heat and I get explosive if I’m stressed AND hot....not...
Very good advice and I will add that I had problems with s bank ATM across the street from the bus station in Leon and though the bank was open they would not give me my money and I had to track it back through my banks fraud depr. Now my story PALES by comparison and I’m so sorry for the OP’s...
Yes, great advice to cover up. Best outfit I came up with in heat was silk long underwear next to skin, then merino t shirt then UV long sleeve tech shirt, long hiking pants. The silk layer would wick away my sweat and create a cooling effect as air moved through the wet fabric. I kept...
I just finished my third camino...second on the Frances. I recognize how you are feeling, @sugargypsy. I decided to stop my camino before reaching Santiago this time. This was my first time solo, and I have two Compostelas at home, so going to Santiago did not have any urgent appeal. I found...
It will cost you about 1 euro per km by taxi. I took a taxi from Triacastela to Sarria for about 25 euro a few weeks ago. Forget buses...it is quite rural in those parts.
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