General Questions regarding a possible trip

[StumbleBum7]

Hi all, I am currently looking into hiking this great trail. For me it would be more personal and spiritual rather than religious and I was wondering if that would effect how I perceive and enjoy the experience overall.

I have never traveled out of the country (The US) to anything other than all inclusive which my family and friends families seem only to eager to go to. Id rather do something more interactive with the local culture and people. I like the idea that the trip (besides airfare...) is very reasonably priced for the amount of time I'd be able to be gone. I have a few questions though to see if it would be a good fit for me.

1) I am not a very religious person, and may end up going on my own unless someone I know goes through with their initial saying they would If I do it. Im a 23 year old male and wondering how It will be going on this hike/journey by myself and how safe my possessions will be at night. Are there many younger people or is it mainly a older more mature crowd? Not that it will bother me either way.

2) How far will I get with my primary language being English? I had some Spanish classes in school in the past, but will certainly study some Spanish before I leave in hopes of being able to experience the trip in a more authentic and interactive way.

3) How often is the option of camping outside available? I believe If I did go with someone or met people along the way I would prefer to be outside occasionally rather than stay indoors most evenings.

4) ... Anything you can say to motivate me or point me in the right direction would be appreciated! As of now Im looking at doing it at the earliest (and hopefully) next year around May or July to begin. From what I've read it seems like May may be a lighter traveled time to go which will have its upsides and downsides.

 

[WanderingChristian]

Try the Camino Guides series by John Brierly to get you started. They're a good start, plus this forum. I would also suggest thinking of yourself not as a tourist, but as a pilgrim. Whereas a tourist arrives and expects, a pilgrim arrivrs and accepts. Having lived abroad, my approach to encoutering another culture has been changed. Instead of going with the idea of it being what you are accustomed to and being shocked by how different it is, go with the idea that it's going to be totally different and be suprised by the similarities.

Buen Camino,
WanderingChristian :arrow:


Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk 2

 

[CaminoGen]

What a wonderful first trip outside the US! There pilgrim crowd is wonderfully diverse. I found that the bulk of the crowd are either under 28 or over 50 so you will find people your age to hang out with. However, you'll find that the Camino has a way of making age seem irrelevant to the friendships. As for your fear of being an outsider for not being religious, fear not. Religion is not a topic of conversation unless you actively start a conversation about it. However, please recognize that you are walking a religious pilgrimage route and accept its history as such. I went to services during that trip ( more than I have in all of my life maybe) just as I would go to museums on any other trip.

Regarding language...of course, the knowledge of Spanish is recommended but you fill find that most pilgrims have no knowledge of it. Be kind and try but if it doesn't work, English, hand gestures and pointing at things will do just fine.

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Stumblebum!

Great advice above. Some Spanish will certainly help you to make your experience more interactive, and generally raise your stock among the people you meet in cafes, shops etc.

The Camino is very safe. Take the usual sensible precautions, especially in the cities, and you'll be fine.

Camping is a tricky one. Remember you have to carry all your kit with you, so you don't want to be carrying a tent around if you'll only use it a few times. There are one or two places you could seek out such as the albergue in Villarmentero de Campos, which has tipis in the garden!

May is a great time to go. Not too hot or too busy, but still plenty of people around (all ages and nationalities etc) to walk and socialise with.

You'll have a great experience. Keep browsing the forum and get more ideas. Buen Camino!

 

[StumbleBum7]

Thanks for the kind answers! It seems like a promising trip. I do have a setback though.. I recently came across a article that makes me skeptical about the trail and wouldn't mind some past hikers experience input..

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks

Im kind of scared how it says that nearly all of it is paved and that I will be within earshot of traffic the entire time. Im wondering how accurate that is, and also how busy it will be if I was to start around May 20th of 2013. If thats a good time to avoid the huge rush or not.

 

[mralisn]

4) ... Anything you can say to motivate me or point me in the right direction would be appreciated! As of now Im looking at doing it at the earliest (and hopefully) next year around May or July to begin. From what I've read it seems like May may be a lighter traveled time to go which will have its upsides and downsides.

One of the great things to do is to grab your favorite beverage, boot up the computer, hit this site, and peruse the different threads! I love reading and contributing (hopefully useful) to various travels sites and have done so for years. However, the Camino sites, especially this one, are full of all the information you'll ever need. With this much time before you start out, you'll have all your concerns put to rest. There is an enormous wealth of knowledge and advice here.

Trust in the arrows.

 

[Mysticl]

If you want a good idea of what to expect watch the Radio Buen Camino movie parts of which Gunnar posts of his trek every week or so ... he is up to part 11 ... and it is absolutely inspiring. If you have not yet watched the Martin Sheen movie "The Way" about the Camino I'd also recommend that. I believe it is on the US netflix ... not Canada's though I am able to rent it on my Shaw on Demand however here in BC, and you can rent or buy the dvd as well.

As far as I have heard it shows a fairly accurate account of the Camino and what you can expect along the way although they did take a bit of artistic license in a few regards .. nothing too major though.

PART 1 of Radio Buen Camino can be found here: http://vimeo.com/user9824047/videos All of the parts uploaded so far can be accessed from that link and I highly recommend it. Gunnar has done an outstanding job and I anxiously wait for each new video.

You can also use google maps street view or google earth to do a virtual walk through of several sections (the ones on or near the roads) ... and even pretty much the entire trek over the pyranees can be virtually walked ... when ever the trail leaves the road you'll have to scroll forward to pick it up again when it hits the road again but you'll see that even when the trail is on or near the road it is still usually quite beautiful.

Buen Camino!

 

[docpam]

Thanks for the kind answers! It seems like a promising trip. I do have a setback though.. I recently came across a article that makes me skeptical about the trail and wouldn't mind some past hikers experience input..

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks

Im kind of scared how it says that nearly all of it is paved and that I will be within earshot of traffic the entire time. Im wondering how accurate that is, and also how busy it will be if I was to start around May 20th of 2013. If thats a good time to avoid the huge rush or not.

Do not worry about this URL. I was there in July and was not really aware of tar or roads. Obviously there has to be some roads and towns. Traffic, I did not hear. I believe there are one or two stretches on the route where traffic is a problem, it depends on the route taken. A positive spirit is what counts.

It was a great trip for me, a townie, a senior, a female, who had never walked alone before. I am returning in August, to volunteer in a hostel.

Pam

 

[tyrrek]

Thanks for the kind answers! It seems like a promising trip. I do have a setback though.. I recently came across a article that makes me skeptical about the trail and wouldn't mind some past hikers experience input..

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks

Im kind of scared how it says that nearly all of it is paved and that I will be within earshot of traffic the entire time. Im wondering how accurate that is, and also how busy it will be if I was to start around May 20th of 2013. If thats a good time to avoid the huge rush or not.

Hi Stumblebum.

I don't really recognise the description in the article, and certainly not constant traffic noise. The largest proportion of the Camino Frances is probably on farm tracks. These may be dirt tracks, gravel, or both. There are certainly some parts on asphalt (usually very quiet country roads), and some short sections which have been paved, presumably for safety or where there are issues with erosion. There are also woodland paths etc.

There are very few sections where you're actually walking on a fairly busy road for any significant distance rather than a path beside it. The only one I can think of is on the Valcarlos route between SJPP and Roncesvalles for several kms, and even that's not particularly busy.

Sure you'll see the road in the distance running parallel to the Camino along some sections, especially in the mid-part of the SJPP-SdC route. Remember the history of the route, though - the road probably follows the Camino rather than the other way round.

Buen Camino!