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Indeed! I'm pretty sure I've tested the patience of a few over the past number of months, but everyone has bit their tongue and not ridiculed my questions. A rare and wonderful experience on a public web forum.It amazes me their patience and ongoing support
Congratulations! Buen Camino! I am close to booking for my first camino as well. How exciting. And the forum has been so helpful!Not that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do so.
Not that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
Welcome to the pilgrim's office at SJPDPNot that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do so.
Thanks for your suggestions, which have been well received.Buen Camino to you! If you have lots of time may I recommend after a really, really long flight you take more than one day to recover. Book yourself a cheap pension in Biarritz. WIth that flight plus a 9 hour (I believe time change) you will not be getting the best night's sleep. Go to St. Jean the next day. May I recommend staying at Beilari. It is a wonderful albergue. They are the spirit of the camino. You will get a wonderful communal dinner and good breakfast. There is a get together in the garden before dinner to meet other pilgrims, talk and maybe lose some of those pre camino jitters. I know there are other wonderful albergues but you can't go wrong here. It is a tough walk up that first day. You do want to be as rested as possible. Like you said you have more time than money. Beilari is a great value considering what they give you and you can book it in advance. Make sure you book in Roncesvalles too ahead of time. It may already be pretty crowded then. I am not sure as I do not walk during the spring.
Gîte d'étape Beilari | Albergue de Peregrinos en Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Donibane Garazi | Gronze.com
Información del albergue de peregrinos Gîte d'étape Beilari, en Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Donibane Garazi: Precio, plazas, características, etc...www.gronze.com
Great to hear, I fly out of Vancouver May 15 to Madrid, but I return June 25. Buen Camino. I'am jealous you have an extra week lol. But i'am happy to get the 6 weeks off work. My boss knew I wanted to do the trip for the last 3 years but not how long I needed off from work. When I went into work a told her I had booked my flight she said good for you we will be able to get by a week without you. I said its longer than a week, and she said well two weeks won't be bad. So I had to fess up to the 6 weeks lol. Thankfully I have a very understanding boss and she gave me a 150.00 Euros to start my trip with. As with what JustJack said this forum has been a treasure trove of information. Just my train ticket to Pamplona from Madrid and i'am set.Not that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do so.
Hope to see you somewhere along the way Dwain! I originally asked for 6 weeks off, but slowly managed to turn that into 8 weeksGreat to hear, I fly out of Vancouver May 15 to Madrid, but I return June 25. Buen Camino. I'am jealous you have an extra week lol. But i'am happy to get the 6 weeks off work. My boss knew I wanted to do the trip for the last 3 years but not how long I needed off from work. When I went into work a told her I had booked my flight she said good for you we will be able to get by a week without you. I said its longer than a week, and she said well two weeks won't be bad. So I had to fess up to the 6 weeks lol. Thankfully I have a very understanding boss and she gave me a 150.00 Euros to start my trip with. As with what JustJack said this forum has been a treasure trove of information. Just my train ticket to Pamplona from Madrid and i'am set.
Yeah Robo that was me. Talking about it at work for the last 3 years, even bringing in my Brierley guide book and showing every one. Going back to the town that my mother and sister live in and telling them all about this fantastic trip. After 3 years they were all probably thinking is this guy just going to talk about this trip or actually do it and was starting to wonder that myself. So when I finally booked my flight it was like they all cheered me on.And with that simple act, little did @JustJack know how his life would change.
Destined forever to be 'that' person who only seemed to have one topic of conversation at parties
But he would know deep down, it was one of the best decisions he ever made, even though this would not be the last time that he booked 'those flights'.......
But at least he would have a listening ear amongst the others with similar compulsions.
Pull up a chair @JustJack
Buen Camino
...
I again urge you to reconsider and taking that extra day. I know you are anxious as we all were are first time and still are (I will be walking camino 8 later in the year). But experience has taught us well. You may feel really differently that when you wake up and have to face the toughest day on the camino and you are exhausted from lack of sleep.Thanks for your suggestions, which have been well received.
Everyone is telling me to take time to rest when I arrive, and while that's great advice, I'll probably ignore it. At my peril I realize, but I know myself, and I know that I'll be anxious to get walking. I'm not going so far as to attempt to start walking the day I arrive though. I'll arrive in SJPDP around lunchtime I expect, so I've got the rest of that day to relax before heading off the next morning. That'll have to do. Likely I'll be on here in the future warning other pilgrims to not be as dumb as I was...
Question about Beilari - is it the kind of place that I'd be comfortable taking a nap in the afternoon if I feel the need? I realize it's not an albergue, so I'm assuming I would have access to my bed all day long?
I've already booked my bed at the pilgrim hostel in Roncesvalles. At least I assume I've booked it. Haven't received an email from them, but I did get a receipt when I paid, so hopefully that's good enough.
So, Another caminoholic is about to arrive here after the finish of his physical walk...Not that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do so.
Buen camino JustJack! We care. I walked my first camino last spring. Flew out of Vancouver, left cool rainy weather for more cool rainy. Whatever the weather you will be warmed by the people you meet. Ultreia!Not that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do I so.
Ha ha, I hear you on the cool rainy weather thing... life in Vancouver. I've got my fingers crossed that by mid-May things have warmed up and dried out on the east coast of northern Spain. But I'll have the right clothing regardless the weather, so it's all good.Buen camino JustJack! We care. I walked my first camino last spring. Flew out of Vancouver, left cool rainy weather for more cool rainy. Whatever the weather you will be warmed by the people you meet. Ultreia!
I too have booked flights to Biarritz and now booked accommodation to Iruña and excitement has turned to fear. I'm starting to wonder if I can do this thing but I take reassurance from the chat on this forum.I don't think we'll meet up as I'm planning 5 May to 13 June but I wish you all the best on your Camino.Not that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do so.
Pardon my ignorance, but what specifically does Iruna refer to? When I google it I get results for Pamplona. Specifically, sites reference it this way: Pamplona, Basque Iruña. Maps just show Pamplona. I feel like this is a very geographically ignorant question I'm asking, so I'm a bit embarrassed... But it's important, as I see the name frequently, so should know what the heck it refers to.I too have booked flights to Biarritz and now booked accommodation to Iruña
It56ny is absolutely spot-on! Please do take AT LEAST an extra day before tackling the Pyrenees. My husband and are were both fit, having trained on a local (high altitude) mountain several times per week, and the most challenging part of the entire Camino Frances was that first day.Buen Camino to you! If you have lots of time may I recommend after a really, really long flight you take more than one day to recover. Book yourself a cheap pension in Biarritz. WIth that flight plus a 9 hour (I believe time change) you will not be getting the best night's sleep. Go to St. Jean the next day. May I recommend staying at Beilari. It is a wonderful albergue. They are the spirit of the camino. You will get a wonderful communal dinner and good breakfast. There is a get together in the garden before dinner to meet other pilgrims, talk and maybe lose some of those pre camino jitters. I know there are other wonderful albergues but you can't go wrong here. It is a tough walk up that first day. You do want to be as rested as possible. Like you said you have more time than money. Beilari is a great value considering what they give you and you can book it in advance. Make sure you book in Roncesvalles too ahead of time. It may already be pretty crowded then. I am not sure as I do not walk during the spring.
Gîte d'étape Beilari | Albergue de Peregrinos en Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Donibane Garazi | Gronze.com
Información del albergue de peregrinos Gîte d'étape Beilari, en Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Donibane Garazi: Precio, plazas, características, etc...www.gronze.com
I think you will find that many people care, here and elsewhere in your life, and you are wished Buen CaminoNot that anyone other than myself cares, but I'm extremely excited that after more than two years of planning and dreaming, I just booked my flights.
If I had booked a few weeks ago the price would have been a few hundred $ cheaper, but overall I think the cost was reasonable.
Route:
May 14 - Vancouver --> Paris --> Biarritz
July 1 - Porto --> Paris --> Vancouver
Just under $1500 (Canadian $) in total, via Air France.
Unfortunately the departure times aren't great. Leaving Vancouver at 7am, which means going to the airport around 4am-5am. But leaving a few hours later would have cost an extra couple hundred $, and I've got more time than money, so an early departure it is.
If all goes well I should arrive in Biarritz at 10:40am, which leaves plenty of time to get to SJPDP, visit the pilgrim office, and relax around town before beginning to walk the next morning.
Now that things are real I can begin the practicalities of my preparations, specifically making a few accommodation reservations for the first few days.
A big and ongoing thank you to the many many helpful people on this forum. I look forward to returning the favour by offering up my own sage advice once I have the experience to do so.
Hi Jack. You don’t need to learn Basque - or Spanish for that matter, though it’s good to have a few words and phrases of Spanish when in Spain.So I need to learn this Basque language as well as Spanish?!? Mamma mia...
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