First Time Pilgrim from the US

[megi]

Hello,

My name is Megan, and I am planning to walk the camino starting in June. I am from the US, but currently live in the Czech Republic. My plan is to walk the camino del norte and then take the camino primitivo through Oviedo. I have no time line. I am going with no return ticket and as little plan as possible except to let the road take me where it will. I already appreciate the advice on this forum and I only registered today.

Megan

 

[Deirdre]

Hello Megan,
Welcome to the forum! Your planning sounds like the dream of most pilgrims - to be able to walk with no set time frame! To go as far and for as long as you like!

Be sure to check out the thread about the Camino del Norte - you'll find plenty of information there.
Buen Camino,

 

[Rambler]

Welcome Meghan!

I am from Atlanta and did it last summer. Wish I had your situation and could take as long as I wanted.
There is plenty of information here. Read the FAQs, some of the posts and then ask away your questions.

Living in the Czech Republic, you will not have the typical American culture shock, so you should be fine.

Best of Luck.

Rambler

 

[Bridget and Peter]

Living in the Czech Republic, you will not have the typical American culture shock, so you should be fine.

?
Can you expand, Rambler?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

The North Route is demanding! Start training for it now, if you´re not already in excellent condition!

Reb.

 

[-404]

Oviedo such a lovely City

 

[Telluridewalker]

Living in the Czech Republic, you will not have the typical American culture shock, so you should be fine.

?
Can you expand, Rambler?

"Dude, what's with the tiny cars...? And the tiny houses...? And the tiny everything...? And why the gol durn don't these PAH-EE-SAHN-OHS don't speeka the English?"

(Seen too many ugly Americans in my day...)

 

[megi]

Nice to meet all of you!

Yeah, I am very lucky that I decided to do the pilgrimage really between phases of my life. I am finishing a job here and haven't figured out my next move. I realize that I am incredibly lucky to have the freedom that I have. I've been wanting to go on pilgrimage for 5 years or so, but things come at just the right moment I think.

I am training. I live in a hilly area of the Czech Republic with lots of great hiking nearby, and I have been (even before deciding to go on pilgrimage) taking a couple 10K hikes each weekend, plus walks up and down the castle hill during the week (in addition to the normal European level of walking), but now I will start increasing my distances. I'm not in fantastic shape, but I also think that I will be as prepared as I'll be, and with no time limit I have the option to stop and rest if I really need to, and whatever preparation I have will have to be enough.

As for culture shock, maybe I won't have typical American culture shock, but I'm sure I'll have a shock going from the Czech Republic to Spain as well. I was just talking to a Czech friend who is also planning to do the pilgrimage later in the summer, and he was commenting on how much of a shock Spain was for him the first time he went there, so I'm interested to see what things I find strange or new or difficult in terms of culture.

Oh, and Rambler, we're from the same area. I'm originally from Chattanooga, TN, and my family still lives there. That's home after the pilgrimage for me.

Thanks for all your comments.

Megan

 

[30daystosantiago]

Well, I just had to say hello since I am in Atlanta myself...we should form a Camino group here when you get back from Czech Republic.

Keep in touch and Buen Camino!!!

 

[Rambler]

Living in the Czech Republic, you will not have the typical American culture shock, so you should be fine.

?
Can you expand, Rambler?

My comment was only in response to the stereotypical reaction to an American when they see their first No. European walking through the albergue in his underwear...

... and the lack of McDonald's in every town. And why don't more people in Spain speak American?



Rambler

 

[Arn]

Rambler mentioned:European walking through the albergue in his underwear...

Obviously he missed the Hungarian lady who forgot her's at 5 am in Longorno.

Buen oh the sights...and the sites Camino

Arn