Anyone starting SJPD 31st August 2017?

[DreamHiker2]

Hey there, tickets are booked and first two bookings into Orisson and Roncesvalles (yes I even booked there as I was told Friday/Saturday nights can be booked out with Camino Groups and pre-booking a bed can ensure you don't end up in the bowels of the building). I heard that if you booked in french they responded quickly (as I had emailed weeks prior and heard nothing) and it was true - got a response within an hour from both places. Easiest link found was - https://www.freetranslation.com/en/translate-english-french or choose spanish if required. Also found big cities where I planned some down days already had many places booked out in September and pickings were slim but I managed to make some bookings for which I am grateful. Who would have thought that already hotels and hostels for Sept/Oct 2017 are already booked out????

Starting solo on the 31st August and of course feeling a little apprehensive about the unknown factors that I am sure we all feel. How will my body cope? Have I prepared enough? Can I really do this? What if I get lonely? Why didn't my husband come with me (already booked work commitments unfortunately) and make sure I have a reason to smile each day? Yes I am sure it will all work out fine in the end and will be the trip of a lifetime - but hey, I am still human lol.

 

[Waka]

Fear not, when you leave SJPDP there will be a wave of pilgrims leaving at the same time. Also staying in Orrison you will meet more people who you will be walking to Roncenvalles with, so great assured you will not be lonely on the camino.
Your other concerns are the same as every other first timer including mine. Is the camino easy, I think not, can I do it, sure you can.
Remember that you need to go with the flow, walk at your own pace. If you want to walk alone, you can do that, but you'll never be alone.
Regarding the booking out of places as you put it, you'll find that a lot of places haven't started their seasons booking yet. They other option is to not book ahead but go with the flow.
I walked for 42 days at the same time as your planned time and never was I without a bed.
Enjoy your further planning and most of all embrace and enjoy the journey ahead.

 

[SYates]

Buen Camino and make sure you leave some place for spontaneity and don't over-plan things ;-) SY

 

[naplesdon]

I totally agree with Sybilla, allow lots of time for spontaneity. Some of the booking services only have a limited number of rooms to sell, so the hotel may not be sold out after all. For example, a recent experience I had booking at the Monastery Leyre showed the last room available at 79 but luckily found one on another site at 39. The hotel was nowhere near sold out that night and the rack rate if I had walked on off the street would have 39.

 

[DreamHiker2]

I totally agree with Sybilla, allow lots of time for spontaneity. Some of the booking services only have a limited number of rooms to sell, so the hotel may not be sold out after all. For example, a recent experience I had booking at the Monastery Leyre showed the last room available at 79 but luckily found one on another site at 39. The hotel was nowhere near sold out that night and the rack rate if I had walked on off the street would have 39.

Biarritzdon, thanks for the information - good to know. I have really only booked in 5 places and 3 of those are where I am planning to spend 2 nights for recuperation purposes - so allowing myself to walk into villages with no expectations on where I will stay mostly.
Unfortunately for those of us who will be so far from home - even though I have allowed myself 7 weeks to walk the Camino and another week to get to Finisterre and have down time - I still have to work some kind of schedule to ensure I don't get lost in time I am sure I will want to stop in every village, look at every flower and stream and talk to every pilgrim I see - haha - but alas I don't have that luxury at this time in my life (I already am blessed to have been allowed the time allocated to Spain for this trip already)
I also have another week at the end in Madrid where i am meeting friends who live internationally that I met in India or US who are coming to celebrate my achievement with me (ie: I have some back/hip/pelvic issues so this trip will be no walk in the park for me I can tell you).

 

[senora1]

Hey there, tickets are booked and first two bookings into Orisson and Roncesvalles (yes I even booked there as I was told Friday/Saturday nights can be booked out with Camino Groups and pre-booking a bed can ensure you don't end up in the bowels of the building). I heard that if you booked in french they responded quickly (as I had emailed weeks prior and heard nothing) and it was true - got a response within an hour from both places. Easiest link found was - https://www.freetranslation.com/en/translate-english-french or choose spanish if required. Also found big cities where I planned some down days already had many places booked out in September and pickings were slim but I managed to make some bookings for which I am grateful. Who would have thought that already hotels and hostels for Sept/Oct 2017 are already booked out????

Starting solo on the 31st August and of course feeling a little apprehensive about the unknown factors that I am sure we all feel. How will my body cope? Have I prepared enough? Can I really do this? What if I get lonely? Why didn't my husband come with me (already booked work commitments unfortunately) and make sure I have a reason to smile each day? Yes I am sure it will all work out fine in the end and will be the trip of a lifetime - but hey, I am still human lol.

Beginning September 1 from Roncesvalles on . Buen Camino