Just posting that I did make it to the Camino and am currently in Burgos, so been at it a while now.
[img=800x600]Http://imgur.com/1jVDw.jpg[/img]
1. If I had to do it again, I'd stay in Orisson. Not because of the distance, but rather the weather. The first half of the day was great, but at the top part along where the numbered waymarkers are, the weather rapidly deteriorated and so I was stuck up on a mountain top in now bitter cold (hypothermia was a concern for me and I changed clothes right on the trail), rain then hail followed by lightening and thunder. The descent into Roncesvalles in those conditions was rather treacherous at best. I did make it safely, though.
2. The way is not always marked logically nor well at times. I lost it several times just coming into Burgos, for example. Also pay no heed to which way the conch shell way marks are pointing, because the people who put them up certainly didn't. Follow the beaten path and you'll do better.
3. The locals are usually very supportive of the peregrinos. I went into a panaderia and there was a very grumpy looking old lady behind the counter. As she gave me the change she grabbed my hand with both hers, pressing a small tart into it, and with a very warm smile wished me a Buen Camino. It made my day. Also, several people honk and wave at you. Truckers blow there horns at you as you walk alongside the highway. Had a guy dressed all in black and chains yell out from across the Castillo square in Pamplona "peregrino! Peregrino! buen Camino!" and thumped his fist into his chest when I looked at him.
4. Learn as much Spanish as you can prior. French is important for about one day, and then you really need Spanish. There are, however, many multi-lingual locals.
5. Explore he towns. They have a ton of neat stuff in them. Take an extra day if need be.
6. Don't be afraid to go off the beaten track if you see a shortcut. There are several which can save you several minutes of unnecessary walking. But at the same time, its not a race, so if you need a rest, take a rest. This might change in the busier months as the albergues fill earlier, but its not a problem in June as of yet. That may change as I hit the 100 km mark.
7. Take as much medical supplies with you as you can. Moleskin, blister treatments, band aids. Whatever. Its all very expensive in Spain.
8. Bring a small backpack. I bought a 48 L one and only use about 30 f it and I carry quite a bit of stuff. The smaller pack will weigh less. I'm surprised at the difference in empty weights sometimes.
More as I plod along. Almost have broken the 500 km'mark.
[img=800x600]Http://imgur.com/1jVDw.jpg[/img]
1. If I had to do it again, I'd stay in Orisson. Not because of the distance, but rather the weather. The first half of the day was great, but at the top part along where the numbered waymarkers are, the weather rapidly deteriorated and so I was stuck up on a mountain top in now bitter cold (hypothermia was a concern for me and I changed clothes right on the trail), rain then hail followed by lightening and thunder. The descent into Roncesvalles in those conditions was rather treacherous at best. I did make it safely, though.
2. The way is not always marked logically nor well at times. I lost it several times just coming into Burgos, for example. Also pay no heed to which way the conch shell way marks are pointing, because the people who put them up certainly didn't. Follow the beaten path and you'll do better.
3. The locals are usually very supportive of the peregrinos. I went into a panaderia and there was a very grumpy looking old lady behind the counter. As she gave me the change she grabbed my hand with both hers, pressing a small tart into it, and with a very warm smile wished me a Buen Camino. It made my day. Also, several people honk and wave at you. Truckers blow there horns at you as you walk alongside the highway. Had a guy dressed all in black and chains yell out from across the Castillo square in Pamplona "peregrino! Peregrino! buen Camino!" and thumped his fist into his chest when I looked at him.
4. Learn as much Spanish as you can prior. French is important for about one day, and then you really need Spanish. There are, however, many multi-lingual locals.
5. Explore he towns. They have a ton of neat stuff in them. Take an extra day if need be.
6. Don't be afraid to go off the beaten track if you see a shortcut. There are several which can save you several minutes of unnecessary walking. But at the same time, its not a race, so if you need a rest, take a rest. This might change in the busier months as the albergues fill earlier, but its not a problem in June as of yet. That may change as I hit the 100 km mark.
7. Take as much medical supplies with you as you can. Moleskin, blister treatments, band aids. Whatever. Its all very expensive in Spain.
8. Bring a small backpack. I bought a 48 L one and only use about 30 f it and I carry quite a bit of stuff. The smaller pack will weigh less. I'm surprised at the difference in empty weights sometimes.
More as I plod along. Almost have broken the 500 km'mark.