Hawaiian Pilgrim - Newbie

[epahio]

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

 

[DylanRomero]

Aloha Elaine!

You might want to check out a Eurail pass to avoid train hassles: http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/
There are a ton of different pass options depending on your needs - including flexible dates and multinational travel.

My girlfriend and I would take a day off from the albergues every once in a while to stay in a pension. Usually you can get a pension for 20-50 Euro. Look for the "i" signs to find the tourist information centers in the city you're in; they'll direct you to the best pensions for your money. A lot of albergues (especially the privately run ones) also provide private rooms, occasionally with a private bathroom as well.

Have fun and buen Camino!

 

[skilsaw]

If you go to the home page for this forum, scroll down until you find the topic :
Travel to and from the Camino
Lots of specific information there on train travel and getting to Sarria.

If hotels are what you want, then hotels it will be... Everyone makes their own camino.

There is lots of good advice in these forums about what to take, how heavy (or light) your pack should be, training... read and dream.

David, Victoria, Canada

 

[epahio]

Thanks for all your advice! I will into a rail pass and check the other posts for train information. I leave in two weeks and start the Camino on Sept. 1st. I'm looking forward to beginning my journey! I keep telling my friends that I am going on my "Eat, Pray, Love" journey, just like Elizabeth Gilbert's book!