A few quick questions before departing on the Francés

[michal.don]

Hello,
I would be grateful for some advice from the ones of you who are walking/have recently walked from SJPdP

1 - How busy is the first part of the camino right now? I read some reports of a busy beginning of the season, but plenty of beds all around - is it still the case?

2 - re Covid - are there still some limitations in Spain? For example, are masks mandatory in farmacías, or are all restrictions gone?

Thanks,
Michal

 

[dick bird]

Re Q2, no restrictions at present.

 

[CWBuff]

You git your answer to Q2 above.
Re:Q1 the rule of the thumb is to book for first 5 days or so, almost no matter when one walks, if anything for the sake of one's mind.
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[Anhalter]

the rule of the thumb is to book for first 5 days or so, almost no matter when one walks, if anything for the sake of one's mind

I would disagree slightly by not calling it a "rule of thumb" but maybe a valid option depending on ones personal risk management. I walked mid may last time while everyone was panicking about sleeping on a park bench if not having a reservation... and i had absolutely no issue with getting a bed without one. So yeah, one can book till say Pamplona, but honestly, i dont think it is necessary at the moment.

My wife is currently walking in the Meseta and at least there it is far from crowded.

 

[michal.don]

Yes, I booked the first few nights, so no park benches at least until after Pamplona for me I'm just curious what I'm heading into, I guess the pre-travel overthinking mode is firmly on
Thanks,
Michal

 

[Simperegrina]

Michael, you got this. Believe me

 

[Jarrad]

Yes, I booked the first few nights, so no park benches at least until after Pamplona for me I'm just curious what I'm heading into, I guess the pre-travel overthinking mode is firmly on
Thanks,
Michal

Hi, my name is Jarrad and I am a recovering overthinker.

You booked the first couple of nights -- you are good to go. You can always find someone to reaffirm your fears, boost your anxiety, and detract from your Camino. You'll be fine. Now about those bed bugs ...

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Hello,
I would be grateful for some advice from the ones of you who are walking/have recently walked from SJPdP

1 - How busy is the first part of the camino right now? I read some reports of a busy beginning of the season, but plenty of beds all around - is it still the case?

2 - re Covid - are there still some limitations in Spain? For example, are masks mandatory in farmacías, or are all restrictions gone?

Thanks,
Michal

Michal, you might want to check this out:
Very current info!

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/for-those-worried-about-beds.86123/post-1243585

 

[arkron]

1. Stay out of weekends and Mondays.
2. After Zubiri, stay out of traditional stages.
3. Don’t waste your energy into planning and booking and fears. Fear is the mind killer!

Don’t book. You’ll get into the habit of overcompensating and personal bed races.

I’m on my 11th day right now, started at 2nd of April. Didn’t book.

 

[gordon1]

Yes think about Friday night/Saturday/Sunday but in life now if it is possible to complicate things you bet it,s the normal .This journey you are on is about separating fear from life and looking at the bigger picture. Today I arrived in Lorgarno maybe 25/30 People . So I arrived and found a place. Enjoy your journey.

 

[Rold Gold]

Hi Michal,
Good luck with your camino! I will be starting my own first camino very soon, too, after having to put it off for five years, first because of Covid and then a job opportunity.

I have decided to start off by NOT booking since I want to stay in municipal albergues that don't take reservations. I'm not sure what you're looking for in terms of a bed, but, from everything I have read, there are almost always beds in the municipal albergues that don't take reservations since so many people want to book in advance. But who knows? Maybe by the time I get to Spain everybody will have read the advice about how the albergues that don't take reservations are empty and will be going there instead of booking making the need to book crucial. But I hope not since that's my plan!

I wish you Buen Camino!

 

[michal.don]

Michael, you got this. Believe me

I do. I know
It's just the pre-camino nerves. Thank you

Hi, my name is Jarrad and I am a recovering overthinker.

You booked the first couple of nights -- you are good to go. You can always find someone to reaffirm your fears, boost your anxiety, and detract from your Camino. You'll be fine. Now about those bed bugs ...

Hi Jarrad. Mi name is Michal and I guess we are quite alike
Thanks, it will be fine, I guess you can not not have a bed and have bedbugs at the same time, right?

Michal, you might want to check this out:

I did, good information, thank you!

1. Stay out of weekends and Mondays.
2. After Zubiri, stay out of traditional stages.
3. Don’t waste your energy into planning and booking and fears. Fear is the mind killer!

Don’t book. You’ll get into the habit of overcompensating and personal bed races.

I’m on my 11th day right now, started at 2nd of April. Didn’t book.

Yes, "start on a tuesday, Pamplona on thursday night" was a part of my timing strategy to hopefully avoid the biggest crowds. I'll soon see if it worked I'd like to avoid booking after Pamplona, or maybe be just able to call after lunch to find out how it looks in the next town...

So I arrived and found a place. Enjoy your journey.

Thanks for the message, sounds good to me Enjoy my journey, I definitely will Thanks!

Hi Michal,
Good luck with your camino! I will be starting my own first camino very soon, too, after having to put it off for five years, first because of Covid and then a job opportunity.

Hi Rold Gold, thank you for your message. Good luck and Buen Camino to you, too, we'll both do just fine

Thanks all again, much appreciated.
Michal

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I guess you can not not have a bed and have bedbugs at the same time, right?

You wish! Just travel through Paris and go on the metro…

Ok, that was last year - hopefully they’ve successfully dealt with the outbreak. Hopefully.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi, my name is Jarrad and I am a recovering overthinker.

Love this!
Where are your Recovering Overthinker meetings held?...(asking for a friend.)

 

[CWBuff]

I would disagree slightly by not calling it a "rule of thumb" but maybe a valid option depending on ones personal risk management. I walked mid may last time while everyone was panicking about sleeping on a park bench if not having a reservation... and i had absolutely no issue with getting a bed without one. So yeah, one can book till say Pamplona, but honestly, i dont think it is necessary at the moment.

My wife is currently walking in the Meseta and at least there it is far from crowded.

Totally agree with re-definition of the "rule". However, may i add that the reason you had no problems getting a bed was because everyone else was sleeping on the park benches...

 

[CWBuff]

Hi, my name is Jarrad and I am a recovering overthinker.

Love this!
Where are your Recovering Overthinker meetings held?...(asking for a friend.)

@Camino Chrissy - The organization goes by "ROA"