First-timer from Canada planning for May 2009!

[adri_5]

Hello all,

I'm Adriana from Toronto, and I'm in the process of planning my pilgrimage for late April/early May 2009.
I'm in the final semester of my second undergraduate degree (first one was art history) in visual arts and have been wanting to walk this road since studying about it in Medieval art history classes years ago. I feel that now is the right time to do it, and I'm getting so, so excited.

This website is a godsend - there are a million things I want to know (it's so overwhelming!) and I'm already finding many answers here. I will be starting at SJPP (when I figure out how to get there) sometime in late April or early May.

If anyone else is starting at SJPP around that time, please feel free to say hi! I will certainly be on here often asking questions and reading what others have to say.

I hope everyone is well, and I hope to see some of you in May

- Adriana

 

[colinPeter]

Hi Adriana,

This website is a godsend - there are a million things I want to know (it's so overwhelming!) and I'm already finding many answers here. I will be starting at SJPP (when I figure out how to get there) sometime in late April or early May.
If anyone else is starting at SJPP around that time, please feel free to say hi! I will certainly be on here often asking questions and reading what others have to say.

Welcome to the forum. Helen & I are setting out from SJPP on the 17th of April. Maybe we'll meet along the way? As for questions, there are lots of helpful people on this forum with heaps of Camino experience.
Buen Camino
Col

 

[Arn]

Hi Adriana ...and welcome to the Forum!

As Col indicated and you already know...there's a raft of info here and folks that are willing to help you as you plan to walk the Way.

Take a look at the Class of 2009 and FAQ topics...also check the calendar at the bottom of the page to see whom may be walking at the same time...put your expected start/finish dates in.

I walked the Camino last April from SJPDP and I'd suggest that you do the walk to Roncesvalles in two days..with a stop at Orisson...half way up the mountain. You should consider making a reservation. And, when in SJPDP consider staying at Le E'sprit du Chien across from the Pilgrim's office. Here's the link for Orisson:

http://www.refuge-orisson.com/

Buen Camino

Arn

PS Also, make sure you check with the pilgrim's office in SJPDP about the weather before you leave.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Here's the link for the Toronto meeting on March 7th, a week from this Saturday -- http://www.santiago.ca/toronto-meeting.html

 

[dislp38]

Hi
I am also a first timer. I have everything somewhat planned. I plan on arriving in St Jean Pied De Port on April 15th and begin April 16.

I'm a single female, 33 years old from Central Florida -- sociology professor. And I'm darned excited. :mrgreen:

Maybe we'll meet along the way.

Buen Camino

Deborah

 

[Arn]

Hi Deborah ...welcome to the Forum!

May I suggest the same fine initial stopping over places as I did above...with ONE exception:

I tried to "remember' rather than check...it's L'Esprit du Chemin!

Buen Camino,

Arn

 

[adri_5]

Thanks for all the tips and responses! I'll post my departure date as soon as I book my ticket.

- Adriana

 

[colinPeter]

I plan on arriving in St Jean Pied De Port on April 15th and begin April 16.

Hi Deborah,
My wife (Helen) & I arrive the same day (15th) but will be "heading up the hill" on the 17th.
We're hoping to stay at L'Esprit du Chemin, but my understanding is you can't book prior to 15th March, maybe we will see you there.
Have a great walk, Buen Camino.
Col

 

[adri_5]

Oh my gosh I just booked my ticket! It's real!! It's happening!!!

I'll be arriving in Paris on April 28 and starting to walk from SJPP on the 29th. Excited doesn't even begin to cover how I'm feeling.

If anyone else is out there starting at SJPP around then, holler at me! This week, off to buy my pack, my shoes, my...everything...!

- Adriana

 

[MermaidLilli]

And don't forget at the bottom of all posts on this forum, is the Camino Calendar. Enter your trip on there and yo will see others from the forum listed with dates and where they will be. You might meet up. Fun
Lillian

 

[30daystosantiago]

You'll have a wonderful time! I hiked during the same time of year - its a good time of year to walk. Buen Camino!

 

[walkingwoman]

Hi!
I'm also from Toronto and plan to start at SJPP April 9, but will be walking "in a relaxed manner" (i.e. a little slower), so you'll probably overtake me.

I'm a 55 year old woman, walking alone except for 1 week when my partner will join me. I look forward to meeting all of you!

Ruth

 

[baron]

Hi Adriana!
I'm Chris, a 35-yr-old New Yorker who'll be starting his 2nd Camino from SJPP on April 16th (arriving the 15th, setting out the morning of the 16th). I'll be staying at L'Esprit du Chemin, and darn it I plan to make it to Roncesvalles in one day. (Weather permitting of course.)
Hope to see you on the Camino!

 

[Deleted member 397]

Adri_5
Just off to buy your shoes! Make sure they are well broken in before you go.The cause of many a disaster on the camino is ill fitting,not broken in shoes.

 

[dislp38]

I plan on arriving in St Jean Pied De Port on April 15th and begin April 16.

Hi Deborah,
My wife (Helen) & I arrive the same day (15th) but will be "heading up the hill" on the 17th.
We're hoping to stay at L'Esprit du Chemin, but my understanding is you can't book prior to 15th March, maybe we will see you there.
Have a great walk, Buen Camino.
Col

I look forward to meeting with you on the 15th!

 

[kimlin]

Hi Adriana- I will also be doing my first Camino about the same time as you- I get to Bilbao on 4/29 and hope to start from Roncesvalles on 5/1.
buen camino
Kimlin in California

 

[proon4]

Hi Adriana
Im Padraic from ireland I start on the 30th April from Saint Jean Pied De Point... Firts timer too. Im 54 . Hope it works out for ya Maybe we get to say hello Padraic

 

[-404]

Hello Adriana i'm Tom and i too am a first timer, i leave england on Sunday and shall be walking out of Saint Jean on wednesday morning, hope to see you along the way

 

[Deirdre]

Muy Buen Camino to you all!

 

[Gailsie]

I am alao a first-timer from Canada but planning for early September. I retire at the end of May so September suits my schedule better. I am really looking forward to the journey as I have been reading and planning for just over a year. This will be something so completely different for me but I have decided to go ahead and start and see what happens. The good Lord has always looked after me and I am sure that he won't stop just because I am walking the camino.

I bought my pack last week and plan to get fitted for orthodics next week so that I can get my hiking boots and get them well broken in. I began a heart healthy class at the end of January as I was overweight and completely out of shape. Being very unhappy at work and holding on until retirement, I think that I was suffering from depression. However, this exercise class has been a life-saver and I feel so much better about myself and am walking so much better these days. Just 25 more working days and then I can walk every day in preparation.

My partner thinks that I am crazy but this is something that I have to do for myself. I know that I have many good years ahead, I just need to figure out what to do with them. Hopefully I will come to some decision along the way. And if I don't then I will have had a wonderful experience.

So looking forward to my camino in September-October.

Gail

 

[happyfeet]

leaving from Vancouver on April 25th and starting the Camino on 28th of April with My Girlfriend maybe we'll run into you on the road.

Cheers
Adib and Anne

 

[mrbillyto]

Congratulatons Gail on your retirement and Camino!
I like your attitude about a decision or at least a wonderful experience along the way...here's hoping for both for you!
I am leaving from Toronto early September (06 or 07 Sep from SJPdP) for my first Camino as well.
Hope to see you there!
Bill

 

[Dale]

Ultreia !! and Buen Camino. I'm sure you are going to have the experience of a lifetime.

 

[Gailsie]

Hi Dale, I was picked to receive one of your Camino DVDs at last fall's meeting. Have watched it many times and enjoyed seeing something new each time.

Gail

 

[Dale]

Thank you Gail so glad you enjoyed the DVD. I'm attaching an invitation to a luncheon that we are giving to wish this springs Pilgrims Bon Voyage and Buen Camino. Since you are going in the fall likely before our fall meeting I would like to extend an invitation for you to be our guest on April 29th.


You are invited to join together to celebrate and wish Buen Camino to this springs maritime pilgrims of the Camino.


Mary McKean

Patricia Ellsworth

Edward Pelger

Barbara Pelger


We will gather

Wednesday April 29th , 2009

1:30 PM

at

The Irving Big Stop

Blue Canoe Restaurant

415 Nevers Road

just off the Trans Canada Highway in

Lincoln N.B.


If you know of other pilgrims preparing to walk this spring or summer please let me know and by all means invite them to attend the luncheon . Please reply to this email to let me know that you plan to attend and how many people will be in your party so we can be sure to reserve enough space at the restaurant. Please reply by April 20th if at all possible. We will be ordering from the regular menu and passing the hat to pay for our honored guests lunch.


If you have friends or family who are thinking about walking in the future feel free to bring them along, this would be a great chance for them to ask questions.

Ultreia !!

 

[Gailsie]

Thanks Dale, I would love to attend, but it will only be me. I am still working so will be taking a late lunch. I will be glad to meet others doing the camino this year. I really enjoyed last fall's meeting, it really made my decision for me. All there was then, was just to decide where to start from and hope that my eye specialist appointment would turn out OK. There seems to be an over 60 crowd going in September so I won't feel out of place.

Gail

 

[Dale]

Thats great Gail we look forward to seeing you on the 29th.

 

[Gailsie]

Thanks Dale, I would love to attend. It will be me only. I am looking forward to meeing others who will be walking.

Gail

 

[kimlin]

Adriana was the first to realize we had ¨met¨on the forum, as she is young and has a better memory than I do. A big shout out to her for her mother´s day gift to me and Karen- she bought our cafes con leche!
buen camino amiga
Kimlin