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Another thought - see if you can get in here. In Viscarett.
Here is there website - they can help you with getting to St J or Roncesvalles, depending where you wish to start from, if you are arriving in Pamplona. I would definitely get in touch with them - http://www.corazonpuro.es/Enghome.html
Istvan & Barbara have closed their pension & transfer service for winter. Opens again on March 15th.Another thought - see if you can get in here. In Viscarett.
Here is there website - they can help you with getting to St J or Roncesvalles, depending where you wish to start from, if you are arriving in Pamplona. I would definitely get in touch with them - http://www.corazonpuro.es/Enghome.html
And one final thought - get your pack shipped on until you are a couple of days out of the Pyrenees...
How do you do that?You can get your Compostela endorsed as being walked on behalf of your father if you want.
I will have to start somewhere where I only need to walk about 2-3 weeks.
Leon is very nice and easy to get to from Madrid. I'm sure you can get a pilgrim's passport there as well. Someone on here knows where to get one there I am sure.Thank you all for the kind words.
I went out and got my boots so I can at least walk them in a bit.
I did come across a hurdle: my mother. She doesn't really want me to go. We compromised however and I won't be starting in Saint Jean. I will have to start somewhere where I only need to walk about 2-3 weeks.
Now I need to figure out where that is and how I'm going to get my passport.
How do you do that?
I've been wanting to walk the camino for years, but school made it impossible to go. When I knew I would be graduating this september, I decided to leave at the end of September, beginning October. I started reading up on a lot of things, looking out for gear. I was mentally ready to go.
But then I got the news that my father was terminally ill. I decided not to go and take care of my father, because Santiago de Compostella would always be there, but my father wouldn't. Now, my father passed away sooner than we thought. I'm still grieving, but I feel like I need to get away from here. I need to be somewhere where I can have some me-time and just think.
The question: Can I just get my gear this week and just leave next week or in two weeks without real preparation except from what I read on here and in books?
Thoughts and prayers are with you Ezsebeth on the passing away of your Father. Re the Camino....of course you can go on a whim, but, please keep in mind your feet - wear good and comfortable shoes/boots, take plenty of warm gear if you are going in the next couple of weeks.....travel safely and best wishes for whatever you decided is right for you at this time.I've been wanting to walk the camino for years, but school made it impossible to go. When I knew I would be graduating this september, I decided to leave at the end of September, beginning October. I started reading up on a lot of things, looking out for gear. I was mentally ready to go.
But then I got the news that my father was terminally ill. I decided not to go and take care of my father, because Santiago de Compostella would always be there, but my father wouldn't. Now, my father passed away sooner than we thought. I'm still grieving, but I feel like I need to get away from here. I need to be somewhere where I can have some me-time and just think.
The question: Can I just get my gear this week and just leave next week or in two weeks without real preparation except from what I read on here and in books?
Can I get a pilgrim's passport in Astorga?
And do I have to worry about closed Albergues?
A start in Astorga gives you only one day before some serious uphill and downhill. A start in Leon will give you three or four days to build fitness with gentle ups and downs. If you have the extra time, I suggest starting in Leon, which is easy to reach by train or bus.
Yes, albergues will be closing between the major towns, so you may not find the flexibility to stop almost anywhere. Gronze.com has fairly accurate information on what closes:
http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-frances
The loss and grief from the death of a loved one - even if we are expecting it - can be more severe than we ever imagined it would be .... that wanting to leap geographically, an impulse like that can be an unconscious attempt to avoid the mental process of coming to terms with a world that is missing someone, but you don't, you take it with you .... so - can you go on a whim? of course you can ... should you go now? well, it is only you who knows the answer to that.
Remember that if you go next week, the middle of November, you will be going in late autumn ... if you start from St Jean you would be walking in Galicia in the middle of winter. Refugios are beginning to close for the winter, the weather is unpredictable - except that, being November/December it is more likely to be wintery. You will have to carry more gear, so a heavier pack .. are you fit? Do you like walking in bad weather? (Though, with the climate as it is it could be wonderful weather - who knows!).
Can you go on a whim? Of course! Should you go now? I don't know .... do you need to get away now? I don't know. If so, pack the kit and go - or, you could spend the winter at home getting used to the change in your circumstances and planning a spring pilgrimage .... let us know what you decide!!
Thanks for your insight.
My mom had the feeling that I would be walking away from my problems. I don't have the feeling that I'm doing that. I took care of my father the entire day, and now I just need some me-time, some time to look after myself and no one else. Just wake up in the morning, put my backpack on and start walking.
I'm going to start in Léon and I'm leaving here on the 12th, so I start walking on the 13th. And I'm well aware of the climate at the moment.
You have two choices leaving La Virgen del Camino, Mazarife or Villadangos. Both are "longish" walks, so if you are not in good shape, they may be difficult. To shorten the walk, take the local bus from downtown Leon to La Virgen. It is the bus that goes to the airport. Get off either when the bus leaves the highway to turn right to the airport, or go to the end of the route, which is the far end of La Virgen after the bus goes by the airport. If you choose the earlier stop, you will beat the bus to the end of La Virgen!I'm going to start in Léon
I've been thinking about your situation since your first post, and am so glad you are going. I walked in honor of my father (who had always wanted to do it) about 7 years after he passed, recorded his name in some of the guest books along the way, and had his name added to my compostela. All very satisfying. Regarding your mother, do stay in touch with her - to allay the fears of my husband and daughter I tried to text them everyday but they understood I might not have wifi. I also uploaded the days' photos to them via Viber so that they could share my experience too. That worked about 90% of the time. Also, have you thought about having your mother meet you in Santiago for a couple of days, if she is able to? That would give her something special to think about also, and plan for. There is also the bus option to Finisterre and Muxia with her, all depending on time, weather and her abilities. Have a wonderful, peaceful trip, and keep us all posted. Buen camino, CherryThanks for your insight.
My mom had the feeling that I would be walking away from my problems. I don't have the feeling that I'm doing that. I took care of my father the entire day, and now I just need some me-time, some time to look after myself and no one else. Just wake up in the morning, put my backpack on and start walking.
I'm going to start in Léon and I'm leaving here on the 12th, so I start walking on the 13th. And I'm well aware of the climate at the moment.
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