First Camino...72 hours to go!

[KristinK]

Hello! I'm Kristin and I'm from Texas (USA). I've made my way to Germany and leave on Sunday (August 14, 2016) for Pamplona to start my Camino via SJPDP.

This is sort of a last minute trip as I just decided to do it about 3 weeks ago, after I got to Germany and tried to decide how I would spend my 90 days in Europe. So, thanks to this forum, the unselfish information provided and the questions of others on their first Camino, I found most everything I needed to plan. BTW, I find planning stressful and hugely disappointing, so I try to avoid it. For a trip like this, I did use common sense but have decided not to stress about the parts I cannot control, believing it will be ok if I just get there and start putting one foot in front of the other. I've calculated I'll do that around 1.4 million times on my way to Finisterre!

Anyway, over the weekend I found an inexpensive flight, got a taxi reservation from Pamplona (I'd be happy to share if anyone else is arriving around 4pm), a reservation at Beilari, and sent a request to Refuge Orisson for August 15 (7 days before my arrival). Orisson responded last night that they do have a bed and dinner/breakfast. So I booked it. I do not have nor did I need a Paypal account. They sent a request for payment and I followed the Paypal prompts (in French, no less!!!).

So I leave in 72 hours and that is as much planning as I'll do other than occasional reservations as I find necessary over the next 40-45 days.

And a special thank you to all of those that gave detailed reports on packing and how to get to SJPDP. That alone probably kept me from making incredibly costly (and heavy) mistakes.

I hope to meet some of you out there!

Buen Camino,

Kristin

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Kristin. Have a safe and wonderful Camino, enjoy every step.
Buen Camino.

 

[kayagee66]

Good luck. I think is is possible to over worry and over plan on the Camino.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Hello! I'm Kristin and I'm from Texas (USA). I've made my way to Germany and leave on Sunday (August 14, 2016) for Pamplona to start my Camino via SJPDP.

This is sort of a last minute trip as I just decided to do it about 3 weeks ago, after I got to Germany and tried to decide how I would spend my 90 days in Europe. So, thanks to this forum, the unselfish information provided and the questions of others on their first Camino, I found most everything I needed to plan. BTW, I find planning stressful and hugely disappointing, so I try to avoid it. For a trip like this, I did use common sense but have decided not to stress about the parts I cannot control, believing it will be ok if I just get there and start putting one foot in front of the other. I've calculated I'll do that around 1.4 million times on my way to Finisterre!

Anyway, over the weekend I found an inexpensive flight, got a taxi reservation from Pamplona (I'd be happy to share if anyone else is arriving around 4pm), a reservation at Beilari, and sent a request to Refuge Orisson for August 15 (7 days before my arrival). Orisson responded last night that they do have a bed and dinner/breakfast. So I booked it. I do not have nor did I need a Paypal account. They sent a request for payment and I followed the Paypal prompts (in French, no less!!!).

So I leave in 72 hours and that is as much planning as I'll do other than occasional reservations as I find necessary over the next 40-45 days.

And a special thank you to all of those that gave detailed reports on packing and how to get to SJPDP. That alone probably kept me from making incredibly costly (and heavy) mistakes.

I hope to meet some of you out there!

Buen Camino,

Kristin

Buen Camino!

And maybe we'll run into each other in September when I'm back on the Camino

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hello! I'm Kristin and I'm from Texas (USA). I've made my way to Germany and leave on Sunday (August 14, 2016) for Pamplona to start my Camino via SJPDP.

This is sort of a last minute trip as I just decided to do it about 3 weeks ago, after I got to Germany and tried to decide how I would spend my 90 days in Europe. So, thanks to this forum, the unselfish information provided and the questions of others on their first Camino, I found most everything I needed to plan. BTW, I find planning stressful and hugely disappointing, so I try to avoid it. For a trip like this, I did use common sense but have decided not to stress about the parts I cannot control, believing it will be ok if I just get there and start putting one foot in front of the other. I've calculated I'll do that around 1.4 million times on my way to Finisterre!

Anyway, over the weekend I found an inexpensive flight, got a taxi reservation from Pamplona (I'd be happy to share if anyone else is arriving around 4pm), a reservation at Beilari, and sent a request to Refuge Orisson for August 15 (7 days before my arrival). Orisson responded last night that they do have a bed and dinner/breakfast. So I booked it. I do not have nor did I need a Paypal account. They sent a request for payment and I followed the Paypal prompts (in French, no less!!!).

So I leave in 72 hours and that is as much planning as I'll do other than occasional reservations as I find necessary over the next 40-45 days.

And a special thank you to all of those that gave detailed reports on packing and how to get to SJPDP. That alone probably kept me from making incredibly costly (and heavy) mistakes.

I hope to meet some of you out there!

Buen Camino,

Kristin

Hi Kristin, wish you a wonderful journey and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Kristin! You are in for an adventure. I wish you all the best.

Buen Camino!

 

[alexwalker]

Way to go. 2 hours ago I booked my trip to Burgos for Sept.1, and am very pleased. Walking to SdC. No return ticket: it will take what it takes. Take it easy and smell the roses. Do not stress.

Trust in yourself, and there will always be helpful pilgrims around you.

The best plan is to not have a plan: Just go there and start walking. It will all sort out, believe me.

"My name is Alex and I'm a Caminoholic"

 

[KristinK]

Way to go. 2 hours ago I booked my trip to Burgos for Sept.1, and am very pleased. Walking to SdC. No return ticket: it will take what it takes. Take it easy and smell the roses. Do not stress.

Trust in yourself, and there will always be helpful pilgrims around you.

The best plan is to not have a plan: Just go there and start walking. It will all sort out, believe me.

"My name is Alex and I'm a Caminoholic"

Yes, I'm approaching this with the same attitude! I haven't bought my return ticket either!

Any recommendations about checking my backpack or carrying it on? I have some (possibly unwarranted) fear of being separated from it on arrival...that, and keeping it with me increases my chances of catching the last bus out of Pamplona vs. a taxi to SJ (€30 vs. €110). So much has gone right that I won't complain either way!!

Thank you all so much for the good wishes!

48 hours to go...Kristin