Excited to start..

[KayVee]

Hello All,

First of all, I'm glad I found this wonderful forum! My tickets are booked and I'm starting my first Camino on Aug 14 from StJPdP. My husband is going to walk with me to Pamplona and then I will be on my own. Excited, nervous etc.

Is anyone else starting around that time? My biggest fear is that I have absolutely no sense of direction and will get lost on my own. I also happen to be vegetarian - do the food shops typically carry lentils/veggies I can survive on? (I'm assuming the Pilgrims menu is not always a reliable option for me).

Another question: We need to mail a box of stuff to Malaga before we start walking (the Camino is part of a longer trip). Can we do that at StJPdP, or should we look to mail it before we leave the US?

 

[Bradypus]

Hope you enjoy your Camino. Just a warning - it is very addictive!

I wouldn't worry about getting lost. The route is VERY well signposted. There are also a lot of people walking. If you are in doubt wait a minute or two and another pilgrim will probably pass by to ask or follow. Local people are very likely to stop you if you do take a wrong turn and point you back to the route.

Beans and lentils are very popular in Spain and shops will usually have a good selection in cans or jars along with fruit and vegetables. Usually quite cheap and tasty. You should not starve!

 

[SYates]

Welcome to the forum @KayVee

A few hundred people will be with you, each day, on the road and the yellow arrows are easy to follow, you will need to make a real effort to lose the way ;-)

Food shops have adapted to the needs of vegetarians (Spanish and non-Spaniards alike) so no problems here, but menus might be occasionally tricky as many Spaniards don't count panceta (bacon) or tuna as 'meat' ;-) Fruit and vegetables are plenty - and there is always chocolate ;-)

As for your last question, please contact @ivar for this as he can give you the best advice. Mailing from the US would be VERY expensive!

Buen Camino and enjoy every step (even those that hurt), SY

 

[onwayhome]

Keep an eye open for yellow arrows and you are unlikely to get lost.

Here's a link to vegetarian albergues and restaurants on this forum which you might find helpful. There are plenty of shops also.

www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vegetarian-albergues-restaurants-on-the-camino-frances.16487/

 

[nycwalking]

You have to work hard at getting lost. Although, I managed once on way to Valcarlos while simultaneously saying, "I never get lost".
Have the time of your life.
Buen camino.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

I'm terrible at navigating, but I never got lost on the Camino Frances. Sometimes the arrows point in opposite directions when there is an alternative route, but I coukd check on the map or check with other pilgrims.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Mailing your parcel will be much cheaper from SJPP than from the US. Mind you, if you can ship it by sea, and give it two months or so to get to Malagal then you will probably pay about the same.

 

[KayVee]

Thank you all very much! I will be learning the Spanish phrases for 'I'm lost' and 'Which way to Santiago' before I start

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Thank you all very much! I will be learning the Spanish phrases for 'I'm lost' and 'Which way to Santiago' before I start

Don't worry, you'll be pointed in the right direction even before you realise ypu might be lost. With our tech flammable and non matching clothes, the bags under our eyes, and the one on our back, it os easy to guess we are heading to Santiago.

 

[t2andreo]

Mailing your parcel will be much cheaper from SJPP than from the US. Mind you, if you can ship it by sea, and give it two months or so to get to Malagal then you will probably pay about the same.

This is correct. However, it is cheaper still if you can wait and mail your items from Spain. Mail services from and to an address in Spain are much less than from France to Spain.

Consider having your bag / box sent ahead by mochila service (NOT FROM THE FRENCH POST OFFICE) from SjPdP to the first sizable place in Spain. This is usually Pamplona, if you are on on the Frances.

However, it is still MUCH cheaper mailing from France into Spain than mailing from the US.

I hope this helps.