First Camino Frances, Pt 1

[Thomas@Albany]

I am from Albany, NY, and will start the first part of my CF on October 4 or 5 from StJPdP. As I still work, I can do only 13-15 days and will try to reach Burgos, or perhaps the Albergue En El in Boadilla, about which I heard good things. I hope to walk the rest of the path in Sept. 2019, after I will be newly retired. Am excited and a bit anxious, too, being close to 62 years old.

 

[LGLG]

Pretty common mix of pre-Camino feelings, I’d say. I’m off in less than 4 weeks. Same age, now 4th Camino, still feel that way before starting out. I know for a fact though that those pre-jitters will vanish the instant I put my first foot on the path. Buen Camino to you.

 

[Thomas@Albany]

Pretty common mix of pre-Camino feelings, I’d say. I’m off in less than 4 weeks. Same age, now 4th Camino, still feel that way before starting out. I know for a fact though that those pre-jitters will vanish the instant I put my first foot on the path. Buen Camino to you.

Thankx!

 

[Anamya]

Sounds like a great plan, Thomas! Let us know if we can help with anything, and Buen Camino!

 

[nycwalking]

Buen camino.

Fall on camino is beautiful.

 

[spagirl]

Compared to shovelling that snow it will be a walk in the park!

 

[Thomas@Albany]

Compared to shovelling that snow it will be a walk in the park!

I am more worried about rain.

 

[Bodi]

You will have a great time! I was 59 when I walked SJPdP to Najera last year and am returning this year for another 2 - 3 weeks. My recommendations for rain are a poncho that covers you and your pack and gaiters. Buen Camino!

 

[kdespot]

That’s such a perfect age to walk... and you’ll bring home the peace that will get you through your last year of work, and will give you perspective about the whole work/retire/meaning of life inner conversation. A muy buen Camino to you.

 

[Thomas@Albany]

Thankx to you all for the good wishes. My plane ticket is confirmed, I'm now working on the list of Albergues (I'll leave most days open, but will have a few reserved). First question: In St Jean, do I need to get my passport validated by the Pilgrim's Office, or will the first sello do that?

 

[Hilarious]

I am from Albany, NY, and will start the first part of my CF on October 4 or 5 from StJPdP. As I still work, I can do only 13-15 days and will try to reach Burgos, or perhaps the Albergue En El in Boadilla, about which I heard good things. I hope to walk the rest of the path in Sept. 2019, after I will be newly retired. Am excited and a bit anxious, too, being close to 62 years old.

Buen Camino Thomas! Not long to go now. Let us know how your journey unfolds.

 

[Thomas@Albany]

By the way, do credit card cash advances work without problems, or are there additional steps to take compared to using it in the US?

 

[Dorpie]

By the way, do credit card cash advances work without problems, or are there additional steps to take compared to using it in the US?

They work the same but can be costly. Keep in mind that cash is very much king on the Camino and you can easily go 3 days without passing an ATM.

 

[Thomas@Albany]

They work the same but can be costly. Keep in mind that cash is very much king on the Camino and you can easily go 3 days without passing an ATM.

What would you suggest? I was planning to take cash (abt 400 or 500 Euros), and have my hotel in Madrid on the last day prepaid, as well as StJPdP and Roncevalles. Can one pay with credit card in some albergues in larger cities, like Pamplona/Logrono?

 

[Dorpie]

What would you suggest? I was planning to take cash (abt 400 or 500 Euros), and have my hotel in Madrid on the last day prepaid, as well as StJPdP and Roncevalles. Can one pay with credit card in some albergues in larger cities, like Pamplona/Logrono?

Hi Thomas,

Sadly can't advise you on this as I operated exclusively with cash apart from when I treated myself to a hotel in Burgos and Leon. Hopefully someone else will know.

 

[Thomas@Albany]

As it turns out, I will step out of Beilari on Saturday Oct. 6. I hope to have good weather, no bed bugs, and meet great people.

 

[j3Othon]

I'll be 63 this month, and I walked the Camino last year for the first time from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. I learned that many people, especially Spaniards, walk it in segments, as economics allow. This year I will start at SJPDP on Oct 10th and and go as far as I can go in 7 days (I figure Logroño). I received my certificate last year. This year all I want to do is walk that countryside. I am excited and, yes, a bit anxious, but that is part of the draw.