Consider a rest day before walking your Camino

[Camino Concierge]

Hi Fellow Pilgrims,

If you are traveling from another continent, like from North America, or you just want a little time to get acclimated, you might consider arriving a day early in St. Jean to register at the Pilgrim office and complete your last minute errands. St. Jean is a lovely town that deserves a little exploration.

Here is my blog post about my "rest day" before walking the Francés route.
http://caminoconcierge.com/restday/

Enjoy!
Michelle

 

[jeffnd]

I had a miserable time getting to Paris. By the time I got to my hotel I just collapsed. The next day I didn't eat much and didn't get to St. Jean until late. I started my Camino with not enough rest, food, or water in me. But everything worked out for the best. Had I taken another rest day in St. Jean, I would have missed out on the friends I made along the way. So no regrets about not taking a rest day.

But next time, yeah, I'm totally taking a full day to rest up!

 

[Pattii]

I think it fitting that one would take a day of rest before setting out on the pilgrimage. Time to think..time to absorb...time to enjoy a cup of coffee in France. All the anticipation that had been building would be culminating in that day I would think and it, at least for me would be a day I would want to remember.

 

[Griffin57]

Page 47 of my Brierley guide has a Reflection from 'Personal journal' ?his. Talks about a false start and retracing steps after several hours walking. Starting afresh.
Do we all run the risk of this with our 'rush,rush' let's get started so we can get finished sooner attitude?

I am being 'forced' to spend an extra day in St Jean this time as I cannot have a bed in Orisson till 2 days after I arrive, I think the Camino is sending me a message to slow down? I'm not good at taking my time, I love the way the Camino has of teaching you things you need to learn even if they are not necessarily the things you want?
Just my thoughts.

Sarah

 

[VNwalking]

I never for a moment regretted my rest day in St Jean. I was already on the Camino but could savor having arrived and the anticipation about the walk to come. There weren't so many pilgrims around (this was early March), but that was actually nice...I had time to be alone and to reflect about what I was doing, and why.
And then there were the last-minute things to buy, and exploring to do. It was a special time.

 

[AlanB]

Sarah. Ignore John's rambling diatribes. His maps/guides are great but the rest is shite

 

[VNwalking]

Excuse, me, Alan??
Not only off topic, but also off base. It may be hard for you to believe, but some folks actually like Brierley's reflections. Your opinion may work for you and that's fine, but since when is anyone's opinion the universal truth?

 

[Griffin57]

Sarah. Ignore John's rambling diatribes. His maps/guides are great but the rest is shite

I read everything I can lay my hands/kindle on and then form my own opinion. I take what I need and leave the rest.
Anyone can buy his map book without 'the rest' if they like, but I like it. Opinions may differ.
Sarah

 

[Al the optimist]

I think that a short day (to Orisson if from SJPdP but a short day wherever you start) is an alternative to a rest day chomping at the bit and filled with pre-Camino anxiety.

 

[Griffin57]

I think that a short day (to Orisson if from SJPdP but a short day wherever you start) is an alternative to a rest day chomping at the bit and filled with pre-Camino anxiety.

I'm having both Al, the camino is making me work on 'patience' big time.

 

[Al the optimist]

Good for you! It takes most of us a painful day to learn!

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Sarah. Ignore John's rambling diatribes. His maps/guides are great but the rest is shite

Alan, I haven't read Brierley, but your review made me laugh out loud.
Pythagoras apparently once said, "Don't say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few"

 

[Deleted member 3000]

What diatribes?

His spiritual musings may not be mine, but they hardly can be described as diatribes. His description of senda is harsh, but I agree with him.

SJPdP is a tourist town. A half day will reveal all its history. I just grab a meal and a snack, and head up the hill (if doing a half day). Reset your time clock on the trail and in the sun. That is the fastest way over jet lag. You will be far tireder later on the pilgrimage. Don't waste a lot of time coddling yourself in SJPdP if you have any time constraints.

Buen camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

I always used to take a rest day before starting, since I fly in from the US. But about five years ago I decided to start walking the next day, and I found that being outside and engaged in physical activity was the absolute best way for me to get over jet lag. I think this depends on the person and your circadian rhythms, but I now try to get to my starting point the day I arrive in Spain and then just get up early and onto the Camino the next day.

There's one forum member, jpflavin, who takes this approach one step further and just starts walking as soon as he arrives at his starting point. I think I remember he arrived in Leon at about 3 pm and started on the Salvador immediately. You'll have to see what works for you. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[SYates]

Everybody is different ;-) And visiting SJPDP with leisure might be a highlight of the Camino for somebody from the 'New' world. Just do what feels right for --- YOU! Buen Camino! SY

 

[Inbar]

Good idea. I'm only flying across the Mediterranean, but still there's no need to rush it for me Also planning to stay a day there and get into the atmosphere of the place.

 

[ricitosdeplata]

I'm arriving in Seville and probably won't get a chance to visit it again soon if ever. I want to be able to visit a few historical places and cultural events. In addition attend a pilgrim mass to receive a blessing. If my poles are lost I'd like to get some as well as pick up a few items.
When traveling east, I've read, that it takes 1 day to for every time zone passed through to recover from jet lag. I may be overly cautious but I'd like to be alert when I'm on the camino for my own safety and enjoyment.

 

[Mark Lee]

Sarah. Ignore John's rambling diatribes. His maps/guides are great but the rest is shite

ha ha ha.....
there's one reflection in there where he talks about being frightened by the presence another pilgrim that looks like Rasputin......whaaaaaat? really?

 

[annakappa]

We have about a 20 hour journey, plus 8 hour jet lag. After crossing the Atlantic at least once a year over the past 23 years and, after having made the mistake the first few years of " sleeping in" the first morning ( because it only postpones your acclimation to your new time schedule), we try to get up by 7am the first morning and start walking by 8.30 at the latest.
One of my most memorable moments was, after hearing Mass at Roncesvalles, we started walking down to Burgete at 8.45 pm, where we had booked a b&b. ( we do, at least, book a private room that first night). The walk in the fast receding dusk was an incredible experience. We arrived in Burgete in the dark. Frankly, after all those hours sitting in planes, that walk was the best thing we could have done! I would certainly do it again!
By the way, we knew Roncesvalles from previous Pilgrimages, so it wasn't a question of getting to know the village. ( have never started in SJPP).