Brand new Camino Pilgrim

[GodsGirl27]

Hello all,

I am brand new to the Camino! I haven't done it yet but I feel very strongly about doing it. I know some people who have done it and I feel this is something I need to do. I feel it will really help me grow. But of course since I've never done it, I'm still learning and hoping to go in the next year. So I'm here to get lots of suggestions!

 

[Marbe2]

Welcome! This is a great place to get support and your questions answered. Happy planning and Buen Camino!

 

[Mark Barnes]

I felt called to walk the Camino and had no idea why. I read books on the Camino and tried to understand why I felt pulled to do this and I was not a hiker at the time. I had felt pulled to do this for about two years and then decided to fly over and walk the Frances. I started in Pamplona and hated it the first week. It was way harder than I had thought and it was all I could do not to quit and go home. I was way out of shape and tried to carry 40 pounds in my pack so I was my own worse enemy. My wife and kids, back home, texted me and told me not to give up as I would regret not finishing. I kept going and after two weeks it totally changed for me. I learned I did not have to walk as fast or as far as others each day, lightened my pack and got use to the daily strain of walking that far each day (15 or so k for me). I completed in 43 days and it was one of the best things I have ever done. I walked Sept 22 - Nov 02, 2017. I am now wanting to it again, never thought that would be a desire for me.
You will have a blast and see so many great sights. If you feel you need to do this then do it., if not you will regret it.

 

[bib]

Welcome GodsGirl27. I've just finished my first Camino and found this forum a wonderful preparation tool. Ask any question, search any topic, read all the opinions, then decide what is best for you
Enjoy

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hello all,

I am brand new to the Camino! I haven't done it yet but I feel very strongly about doing it. I know some people who have done it and I feel this is something I need to do. I feel it will really help me grow. But of course since I've never done it, I'm still learning and hoping to go in the next year. So I'm hear to get lots of suggestions!

Hi, GodsGirl, and a warm welcome to the Forum

Most have been where you are now. But the good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:

1. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
2. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
3. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
4. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
5. Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, as you research and plan, and when things feel overwhelming and anxieties and doubts and concerns pop up, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
6. Make you Camino a Priority. Remember that perfect timing --- as it relates to how you feel, scheduling, and day to day life issues ---- seldom align themselves perfectly. If one waits for such to occur, doing something like a pilgrimage will always be in danger of taking a back seat while you wait for that perfect alignment to happen.

Enjoy the process of planning for your Camino. This Forum is a great place to be.

 

[mspath]

Welcome to the forum!

What a wonderful journey of discovery you are starting; do enjoy your planning and research..

Perhaps you will find this earlier but still relevant thread to be intrresting re how other pilgrims first learned of the camino
and how that moment changed their life.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/when-did-you-first-become-camino-conscious.35847/

 

[nycwalking]

Welcome.

Buen camino.

 

[Beeman]

Welcome peregrino! Since you are already thinking about the camino,I think that you are already on the way. The Camino has a way of being wonderful without explaining why. I lead a wonderful life, but wrote people while walking that I never have been so happy. I found myself singing and feeling beyond thrilled! Give it a try,few are disappointed. BUEN CAMINO

 

[Beeman]

Sorry that I have more to add. I am 73 and have never been out of North America and have never ridden a train. Nobody wanted to go with me,so I went by myself,rode a train from Madrid to Oviedo,walked the Primitivo,walked on to Muxia,and had the time of my life. Do not be afraid of any of this, and walk alone if you can. You will meet new friends to walk with if you choose, but will enjoy walking alone too. I am a big talker and enjoyed walking with others, but also loved the days that I walked alone with my thoughts. My suggestion is to go for it! What are the options?

 

[Former member 49149]

Hello all,

I am brand new to the Camino! I haven't done it yet but I feel very strongly about doing it. I know some people who have done it and I feel this is something I need to do. I feel it will really help me grow. But of course since I've never done it, I'm still learning and hoping to go in the next year. So I'm hear to get lots of suggestions!

Welcome, pilgrim! You have come to the right place if you are looking for suggestions! Enjoy your research, your walking practice, gathering your bits and pieces and try to avoid going through Pamplona during San Fermin - if you choose the Camino Francés, and you don’t need the buzz. Accommodation is at a premium during that Fiesta week.

 

[Hilarious]

Hi, GodsGirl, and a warm welcome to the Forum

Most have been where you are now. But the good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:

1. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
2. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
3. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
4. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
5. Take a deep breath. Write down in large letters the reasons why you want to go on Camino. Place that piece of paper where you can see it every day. That way, as you research and plan, and when things feel overwhelming and anxieties and doubts and concerns pop up, you can just breath, read what you have written, and focus on those reasons until the negative stuff fades.
6. Make you Camino a Priority. Remember that perfect timing --- as it relates to how you feel, scheduling, and day to day life issues ---- seldom align themselves perfectly. If one waits for such to occur, doing something like a pilgrimage will always be in danger of taking a back seat while you wait for that perfect alignment to happen.

Enjoy the process of planning for your Camino. This Forum is a great place to be.

I love reading your responses Dave. I often get answers and helpful advice to questions I didn't even know I needed to ask! Awesome!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hello all,

I am brand new to the Camino! I haven't done it yet but I feel very strongly about doing it. I know some people who have done it and I feel this is something I need to do. I feel it will really help me grow. But of course since I've never done it, I'm still learning and hoping to go in the next year. So I'm hear to get lots of suggestions!

Hola @GodsGirl27 (btw love the nick!). Yes welcome to the Camino Forum. You are more than welcome to post as many questions as you have. However if you can do some searching you will find nearly all have been answered in some form or another. Just one word of warning - you might feel overwhelmed by the advice that is offered by some of the really experienced pilgrims & Camino trekkers, but don't worry the advice is offered with lots of love (or warm fuzzies if you prefer!).

 

[Dorpie]

Just one word of warning - you might feel overwhelmed by the advice that is offered by some of the really experienced pilgrims & Camino trekkers, but don't worry the advice is offered with lots of love (or warm fuzzies if you prefer!).

Welcome @GodsGirl27

@Saint Mike II is right, your main danger here is too much rather than too little information. Some of it might even be conflicting (see every single blister topic ), but that reflects how each of us approach our Camino, with a few helpful nudges in the right direction you'll find your own approach and I'm confident, all being well, that within just a few days of starting you'll be wondering what you ever worried about.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[Anamiri]

I spent a lot of time planning what gear to take, and no time at all planning the actual Camino walk other than getting to SJPDP. Everything worked out just fine. And I went on to do another one. And another in the planning stages.

 

[linkster]

@Mark Barnes Camino Mike and I talked with you at the base of Alto de Perdon. The only thing bigger than your pack was you beard! FORTITUDE!

 

[linkster]

@GodsGirl27 Get comfy SHOES!

 

[Rover]

Hello all,

I am brand new to the Camino! I haven't done it yet but I feel very strongly about doing it. I know some people who have done it and I feel this is something I need to do. I feel it will really help me grow. But of course since I've never done it, I'm still learning and hoping to go in the next year. So I'm hear to get lots of suggestions!

Hello all,

I am brand new to the Camino! I haven't done it yet but I feel very strongly about doing it. I know some people who have done it and I feel this is something I need to do. I feel it will really help me grow. But of course since I've never done it, I'm still learning and hoping to go in the next year. So I'm hear to get lots of suggestions!

Hello Godsgirl27, You are about to embark on a journey of your lifetime; it will truly be a transformative experience. Here are my two pieces of advice. Pack light! Be a minimalist and challenge every item you plan to take - is it a want or a need? Remember, you will have to slog everything you take for 500 miles. Second, go SOLO. Yes, I know some women may be hesitant, but the Camino is heavily traveled so you are not alone; use common sense. Solo travel will heighten your senses, reflections, awareness and experience, immeasurably. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Rover

 

[GodsGirl27]

Thank you all so much for your kindness!