another Canadian

[jayney]

Hi,
I am walking with 3 friends in September, starting about Sept. 12 from Leon. We have planned for two weeks to walk to Santiago, since that is all the time we can spare. An aquaintance walked the Camino in the fall of '05, so we have been inspired by her experience.
I have enjoyed the wealth of information on this forum, and hope to learn lots more over the summer before we go.
A few quick questions, I am taking Spanish lessons right now, not sure if I'll remember much by the time I get over there. Does that part of Spain use the more formal Spanish or does the Camino have its own dialect?
In Canada most public places are smoke free now. Is smoking still allowed in bars/restaurants along the Camino?
Is there such things as health food stores along the Way?
thanks...Jayney

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hi Jayney and welcome. Its fabulous you are making pilgrimage in September.

Your questions:

1 Castellano is spoken all over Spain. There are other languages - you will encounter Gallego in Galicia for example - but everyone also speaks or understands Spanish.

2 Alas despite new laws Spain remains a smoking country. Unlike some other Europeans countries which banned smoking in all public places in Spain restaurants and bars have been given the choice and in my experience most have elected to continue to permit smoking.

There is also some convoluted rule about the restaurant having to me more than a certain size before it is required to have a non smoking zone - which certainly doesn't apply to the small bars and restaurants you will encounter.

However Spain is a tourist oriented country and I have no doubt that pressure from customers will change things in the longer term.

3 I've seen health food stores in larger towns and cities - but you will find a very good selection of nuts, dried fruits, grains and pulses in many shops - more so than here I would say.

Happy preparation.

John

 

[auburnfive]

Hello, I am from Canada and will be starting from about the same time and place as you. Are you pre-booking your accommodation, or taking your chances - I have heard about very crowded conditions>

 

[jayney]

Hi Auburn five,
I haven't talked with the other ladies I am walking with lately, but I think we were planning to pre-book a hotel room, just to make sure we have a place when we get off the plane.