Hi fellow pilgrims. I've never hiked or carried a pack so all your information is greatly appreciated. I can only walk part of the Camino Frances and will finish the second half next year. I am shy and a little nervous about going to a foreign country. I speak very little Spanish but I have been practicing. Thank all of you for the words of encouragement. See you on the trail.
-
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
(Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
Search 69,459 Camino Questions
Hello...new member...leaving from San Francisco, CA to SJPDP March 15, 2015.
- Thread starter Mary Sue
- Start date
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Hola and welcome to the forum
There is nothing wrong in being a little shy and nervous, so do remember that you only have to be yourself on the Camino.
Try to focus on one thing which is to get to your starting point and take it a day at the time.
You will meet many pilgrims and kindness and many people discover new or forgotten strength in themselves which may be part of the transformation that many pilgrims experience.
Regarding your nervousness, you may want to use this forum to get some extra reassurance.
To post a little about yourself; height, weight, physical condition, gender and the backpack and gear you are planning to take with you, will result in suggestions that will confirm your choices or add some that you have not thought about.
This way, you will not have the practicalities to burden you so much, and make you focus on the simpler and easier things; which would be walking, talking, eating and sleeping.
Do not worry to much about your Spanish. Many pilgrims do not speak a word of Spanish, so you are already ahead of many.
And if needed, many Spanish people speak some English although you may need to use a little time to find the right person.
Think of it as a marvelous adventure is about to begin, approach it with an open mind and bring the best of you.
Buen Camino
Lettinggo
There is nothing wrong in being a little shy and nervous, so do remember that you only have to be yourself on the Camino.
Try to focus on one thing which is to get to your starting point and take it a day at the time.
You will meet many pilgrims and kindness and many people discover new or forgotten strength in themselves which may be part of the transformation that many pilgrims experience.
Regarding your nervousness, you may want to use this forum to get some extra reassurance.
To post a little about yourself; height, weight, physical condition, gender and the backpack and gear you are planning to take with you, will result in suggestions that will confirm your choices or add some that you have not thought about.
This way, you will not have the practicalities to burden you so much, and make you focus on the simpler and easier things; which would be walking, talking, eating and sleeping.
Do not worry to much about your Spanish. Many pilgrims do not speak a word of Spanish, so you are already ahead of many.
And if needed, many Spanish people speak some English although you may need to use a little time to find the right person.
Think of it as a marvelous adventure is about to begin, approach it with an open mind and bring the best of you.
Buen Camino
Lettinggo
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Past: a few
Last: Sanabres
Next: St Olav's Way
Welcome. I expect the time till your departure will fly, and you will worry you won't get everything done. Try and balance the three elements of your preparation, mental, spiritual and physical. If you are already strong in one, attend to the others more, but don't neglect any one completely.
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Albertinho
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Pilgrims Office Volunteer
hey Mary Sue. They won't eat you in Spain 
. It is a civilised country.
Read all the information on this forum from many experienced hikers they went before you and did not end up in the cooking pots of the Iberian tribes but arrived safely back home looking back at their most wonderful experiences and memories of walking the camino.
Enjoy it.
Buen camino
. It is a civilised country.Read all the information on this forum from many experienced hikers they went before you and did not end up in the cooking pots of the Iberian tribes but arrived safely back home looking back at their most wonderful experiences and memories of walking the camino.
Enjoy it.
Buen camino
Last edited:
Mikel Olivares
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2012, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Camino Francés.
2016, Camino Portugués from Oporto
2017, San Salvador.
Bravo! Albertinho.Mary Sue. You don't have afraid. We don't eat you.
Enjoy our country and our hospitality.
Buen Camino.
Mikel Olivares
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2012, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Camino Francés.
2016, Camino Portugués from Oporto
2017, San Salvador.
Ah! And remember that San Francisco and California were Spanish.
Spain is in Europe not under MĂ©jico (MĂ©xico). LoL
The Spaniards have good sense of humor.
Spain is in Europe not under MĂ©jico (MĂ©xico). LoL
The Spaniards have good sense of humor.
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Al the optimist
Veteran Member
No idea where you are from or how tight your time-frame is. Just relax and take it easy for the first few days. After that you will soon strengthen and it will get easier. Listen carefully to what the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP say about the weather and advice about route to take. Don't over plan, go with the flow. Read and seek the advice available here, You don't have a lot of time to train so don't overreach yourself. Better to arrive a little unfit than not arrive at all or arrive injured. Remember bag transport is available. Always have local taxi numbers available. Be prepared to take a bus, a short day, a rest day. Happy planning and Buen Camino.
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line
The first time I walked the Camino, I had never backpacked.
I wasn't so afraid of going alone as much as I was afraid of the unexpected.
I had a kazillion questions and in the end made some good and some bad decisions.
I was told not to walk the VDLP in summer - I chose to try anyway and failed.
It was dangerously hot.
Instead of tossing in the towel, I hopped up to the Camino Frances and had a great time!
I took WAY too much stuff and left about half of it in free boxes within the first week.
(take things you aren't too attached to because you WILL dump things and postage costs more than most items will cost to replace)
It was the trip of a lifetime and I've been back almost every year since.
Do what feels right.
You will make a few mistakes - learn from them
You will make a lot of friends.
You will come home with beautiful memories.
When you discover, on the trail, you've made a mistake, like maybe taken too much... adjust... get rid of things... change things...
And if I could give advice it would be
1) Don't stress over gear or over plan this - just use what's in your closet and go
2) Wake up each morning and give thanks for being alive and for the simple ability to walk
3) Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture - when in Rome...
4) Don't have expectations - be like a leaf in the wind and the Camino will take care of you
I wasn't so afraid of going alone as much as I was afraid of the unexpected.
I had a kazillion questions and in the end made some good and some bad decisions.
I was told not to walk the VDLP in summer - I chose to try anyway and failed.
It was dangerously hot.
Instead of tossing in the towel, I hopped up to the Camino Frances and had a great time!
I took WAY too much stuff and left about half of it in free boxes within the first week.
(take things you aren't too attached to because you WILL dump things and postage costs more than most items will cost to replace)
It was the trip of a lifetime and I've been back almost every year since.
Do what feels right.
You will make a few mistakes - learn from them
You will make a lot of friends.
You will come home with beautiful memories.
When you discover, on the trail, you've made a mistake, like maybe taken too much... adjust... get rid of things... change things...
And if I could give advice it would be
1) Don't stress over gear or over plan this - just use what's in your closet and go
2) Wake up each morning and give thanks for being alive and for the simple ability to walk
3) Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture - when in Rome...
4) Don't have expectations - be like a leaf in the wind and the Camino will take care of you
Albertinho
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Pilgrims Office Volunteer
¡ Mucho gusta !
Mary Sue. You don't have afraid. We don't eat you.
Enjoy our country and our hospitality.
Buen Camino.
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.
€46,-
€46,-
Pilgrim-S-414
HRperegrino
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances: 2019,2018, 2014 Camino Portuges: 2016
There is a link to the tips and advice section of my blog in my signature. I hope you find it useful.
Buen Camino!
Buen Camino!
Similar threads
âť“How to ask a question
How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.
Similar threads
-
New member - Travel from Belgium to Sarria
- Started by JM50
- Replies: 1
-
-
-
Forum Rules
Camino Updates on YouTube
Most downloaded Resources
-
“All” Albergues on the Camino Frances in one pdf“All” Albergues on the Camino Frances in one pdf- ivar
- Updated:
-
A selection of favorite albergues on the Camino FrancésFavorite Albergues along the Camino Frances- Ton van Tilburg
- Updated:
-
Profile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino FrancesProfile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino Frances- ivar
- Updated:
