Aloha Pilgrims,
I'm looking forward to walking the camino like the many of you here but feel a little nervous since I've never done anything like this. I'm not the best in shape and I'm coming all the way from Hawaii! I enjoy hiking but I've never done several days of walking. I'm also traveling alone, so its a relief to learn that their are many others just like me. I'm planning on beginning from Sarria. I prefer to take a train to Sarria, rather than a bus or plane, but I have little information on this. There was another post that listed a train from Madrid to Sarria.
Navigating the RENFE site is very confusing, especially since I speak no Spanish. I'll be staying in Madrid for a few days before traveling to Sarria. I'm sure I will have jet lag. Does anyone know specifics on how to purchase a train ticket to Sarria? I read a post mentioning a 2300 train from Chamartin Station. Is it easy to purchase train tickets? Will I have to worry about seats selling out?
While walking the camino, I want to stay in small hotels rather than the alberques and I wanted to know if anyone has had experience in this? How easy or difficult it is to get a room at these establishments? Most people on the forum stay in the alberques, but I don't want to worry about the bathroom or snoring people. So sorry, I probably sound like a snob, but I figure at the end of the day I've earned a small room with my own private toilet/bath.
Thanks for any information you can provide me. I am hoping to meet up with some friendly pilgrim to walk with and enjoy the Spanish culture, cuisine and especially the magic of the camino!
Aloha no,
Elaine from Hawaii
I'm looking forward to walking the camino like the many of you here but feel a little nervous since I've never done anything like this. I'm not the best in shape and I'm coming all the way from Hawaii! I enjoy hiking but I've never done several days of walking. I'm also traveling alone, so its a relief to learn that their are many others just like me. I'm planning on beginning from Sarria. I prefer to take a train to Sarria, rather than a bus or plane, but I have little information on this. There was another post that listed a train from Madrid to Sarria.
Navigating the RENFE site is very confusing, especially since I speak no Spanish. I'll be staying in Madrid for a few days before traveling to Sarria. I'm sure I will have jet lag. Does anyone know specifics on how to purchase a train ticket to Sarria? I read a post mentioning a 2300 train from Chamartin Station. Is it easy to purchase train tickets? Will I have to worry about seats selling out?
While walking the camino, I want to stay in small hotels rather than the alberques and I wanted to know if anyone has had experience in this? How easy or difficult it is to get a room at these establishments? Most people on the forum stay in the alberques, but I don't want to worry about the bathroom or snoring people. So sorry, I probably sound like a snob, but I figure at the end of the day I've earned a small room with my own private toilet/bath.
Thanks for any information you can provide me. I am hoping to meet up with some friendly pilgrim to walk with and enjoy the Spanish culture, cuisine and especially the magic of the camino!
Aloha no,
Elaine from Hawaii