Getting out of the comfort zone...

[Telogne]

Hi there, fellow pilgrims and readers!

I'm Mike, 24 years old and I come from Czech Republic. The first time I heard of Camino de Compostela was about three years ago and it got on my "to do one day" list, though as the time passed, it slipped from my mind completely.


Hi, this is Majk. If you meet this seemingly crazy and eversmiling person along the way, do not be afraid to se Hi! I don't bite. Most of the time, anyway!

When I moved to Prague two years ago (from the other side of the republic, for studies), I planned on starting a new life, without wasting time on meaningless things like pc games (7 years addiction on World of Warcraft ) and starting to enjoy my life to its fullest. I also went to a college, College of media and journalism in Prague (was a lifechanger too, as I used to study English and engineering before). Our school is being run by the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Prague, so there are a few religion related subjects, though the students need not to be nor are forced towards religion of any kind.

It was in one subject regarding the historic development of religions in Europe that reminded me of Camino de Compostela. About two months ago.

I've been going through some mind changes recently but I still feel like there is a final piece missing, a catalyst to make the whole mojo of mine work to its fullest potential. I am a very comfy person and have rarely been outside my home town let alone the country. So when I decided to walk Camino, alone, i started seeing it as an opportunity for a major change in my life. A rite of adulthood shall we say.

I am not a religious person myself. Well, I do not believe nor deny any power divine or superior to us, I just dont feel comfortable naming it or just getting into any religion as I am simply "not convinced yet". Difficult to explain...

Anyway, I hope that Camino will uncover some clues on my path to undestanding of myself and my role in this world, and who knows what I will find along the way, right?

The funny yet scary part is that my preparation is more like "I decide to walk Camino next month no mater what. Oh, but I dont know anything about it... Guess it is gonna be hardcore mod^^)
I have most of the equipment "required" (went through planty topics), yet keeping it minimalistic. Traveling to and from Camino is going to be funny, there I will get by hitchhiking from Paris (going there to some conference next weekend - 26.-29.6.2014) to SJPdP, and on my way "back" I wanna visit Fisterra and then either hitchhiking to Portugal or Barcelona. Hey, I need to get home by second half of October, so planty of time

What I am most looking for is the nights sleeping outside. My budget got a little squeezed by sudden things so instead of flying back home, I will be hitchhiking probably, plus sleeping mostly outside. Hey, having a shower and a bed as a reward every few days does not sound as bad as it is going to smell

One thing I am yet to decide is whether I will be walking Camino Francés, Camino del Norte or Camino Primitivo. I trully wish to enjoy the nature and walking with hundreds of others from the beginning is not very compelling to me, so I was thinking of taking the "side route" and rejoining the main stream somewhere before Santiago.

Which of the ways goes through some mountains? Is it difficult to walk for a total newbie to Camino and longdistance walking and mountain hiking? Any special equipment required?

Thanks in advance for any feedback and warm welcome. Hope to see you en route!

Ultreïa

 

[econodan]

Hello Mike,

It looks like you've already found a lot of information from browsing around on this Forum. I'll just respond to your point about maybe walking a different path than the Camino Frances in order to avoid the crowds. There are plenty of other routes to Santiago, and some of them are very lightly traveled (but still scenic and delightful to walk). If you are looking for higher mountains, you might take a look at the Ruta del Salvador (Leon to Oviedo), which is truly beautiful. From Oviedo, the Camino Primitivo works its way down to Santiago, and is also very scenic and not as busy as the Frances. I've not yet walked the Norte, so can't comment on that one. Lots more information in the blog linked below and around this Forum.

Buen camino.

Dan