Coming from New Jersey USA and Walking the French Way in May

[maximillian2]

I'm a 58 year old grandmother of one and I am planning to walk the French Way this May (Planning to leave New Jersey on May 8) 2013 "sola".

I want to arrive in Paris and maybe sleep there overnight to get myself aclimated with France, but I'm a little bit concerned that I don't speak a single word of French.

My mind is pretty much set, but still working on the details and the procurement of stuff I need. I have 45 days to spend in this pilgrimage. God willing, I'm planning to go to Fatima and Lourdes after I complete my Camino early enough. Has anyone out there done the walk with a side trip to Fatima and Lourdes after the walk?

Thanks!

 

[Al the optimist]

When in May are you planning to start and from where?
allan

 

[indyrem]

Hi....I'm from Indianapolis & my best friend, Nilda and I will fly in to Madrid then train or bus to Pamplona then take a taxi to St Jean. After our Camino we will train to Fatima then to Lourdes. After Lourdes we will take the night train to Infant Jesus in Prague. We're arriving in Madrid on May 14th. Another couple from Idaho are traveling the same date we are so we will meet at the airport & travel to St Jean together. If you're going same date we are maybe we can start walking together-if not maybe our paths will cross. We have travelled to Europe a few times before so it's not too intimidating anymore. Please PM me if I can help in anyway.
Buen Camino
Remy

 

[sillydoll]

maximillian2 - with Lourdes being in the east and Fatima way over in the west, have you thought of visiting Lourdes first and then travelling to St jean to start your Camino?
Then you could visit Fatima after your Camino and fly back to Paris from Santiago.

 

[maximillian2]

Allan: I'm planning to leave the US May 8. I originally planned to visit Lourdes first to get the blessings from Our Lady of Lourdes, but changed my mind and started playing with the idea of starting from spending a few days in Paris or Madrid.

Now that sillydoll has laid out the georgrahic location of Fatima and Lourdes, I think I will go to Lourdes first on May 9 or 10. Then, start my camino on May 11.

I'm still putting my plan on paper and jotting down suggestions. I'm so new with this.

I just came back from the Holy Land and still trying to get my bearing.

 

[maximillian2]

Hi indyrem: I am right now inclined to adjust my schedule so I will be at St. Jean the day your group will be there. Do you know when will you be arriving at St. Jean? I will see if I can do my side trip to Lourdes before I go to St. Jean.

It is so kind of you to welcome me to your group. I hope it will all work out.

 

[maximillian2]

Hi indyrem: Can you share with me the details of your trip from Fatima to Lourdes; then Prague after the compostela?

I need to book my flight. Here is my "final" plan:
Flight to Madrid (April 26 or May 8)
Train from Madrid to Lourdes (Stay in Lourdes for three days)
Train from Lourdes to SJPP,
Camino (35 days)
SDC to Fatima (Stay in Fatima for two days)
Back to the US

Looks good on paper, but I hve no idea what reservations I need except for the flights.

Please HELP!!! I really need to do this camino.

 

[maximillian2]

I need to book my flight. Here is my "final" plan:
Flight to Madrid (April 26 or May 8)
Train from Madrid to Lourdes (Stay in Lourdes for three days)
Train from Lourdes to SJPP,
Camino (35 days)
SDC to Fatima (Stay in Fatima for two days)
Back to the US

Looks good on paper, but I hve no idea what reservations I need except for the flights.

Update: I have overcome my panic. I finally booked my flight for Madrid for May 8. I will go to Lourdes first before starting my Camino at SJPP.

Bueno Camino todos peregrinos!

 

[indyrem]

Fly to Madrid May13
Arrive in Madrid May 14 8am
Meet couple from idaho at airport
Train (3hrs) or bus(5 hrs) to pamplona
Taxi to St Jean Pied de Port
Overnight stay at l'esprit du chemin (need to make reservation while in US)
Start camino in am after getting pilgrims passports& shell- May 15 -if still jet lagged will stay another day.
Stay in Santiago for 1 day
Train to Porto, Portugal then bus to fatima
Stay one day in Fatima-leave next day for Lourdes
Stay one day in Lourdes
Train from Lourdes to Paris.
If have time will do little sightseeing- if not will sightsee after Prague
Take night train (10 hrs) to Prague
Stay one day
Night train back to Paris
Sightsee Paris & Versailles
If stil have time will take eurostar train to London -takes 2-1/2 hrs
Hop on double decker bus to sightsee London
Take train back to paris
Take trenhotel from paris to Madrid
Sightsee Madrid
Leave for US next day

 

[kogga]

Advice:from Auberge du Chemin,buy food for the evening and walk 8km to Gite Kayola,owned by Auberge at Orisson,Kayola is 1km from Orisson for a beer or meal.You can book Kayola online at Auberge Orisson.We travelled like you from Madrid to Pamplona by bus and then taxi to ST Jean,about 90 euro for taxi.but try and share it.Buen Camino.Johann Pretorius from South Africa

 

[kingscrown2014]

What a lot of back tracking for some of you, get a map out and look.... but hey, it's your trip.

 

[skilsaw]

... I will fly in to Madrid then train or bus to Pamplona then take a taxi to St Jean....

You can take the train from Madrid to St. Jean Pied du Port. It will be much less expensive than a taxi from Pamplona. When I started in SJPP in April 2004, I met 4 Americans on the train in Bayone who had their travel agent book them train tickets right through.

But there is no "wrong way" to get to SJPP, just as there is no wrong way to do the Camino.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[skilsaw]

... but I'm a little bit concerned that I don't speak a single word of French.!

Have your travel agent book your hotel room in paris, and book your train tickets to SJPP.
Pick up a little French Phrase Book for Travellers. You will be fine.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[maximillian2]

Thanks Indyrem. Hope to bump into your group some how.

Buen Camino!

 

[maximillian2]

Thank God for this forum.

I already booked my flight for Madrid on May 8. That is progress!

And thank you all. I will go through the other postings as part of my planning.

Buen Camino!