Hi everyone - New Yorker walking the Camino this summer

[baron]

Hey everyone,
My name's Chris, I'm from NYC, NY. I have yet to book my ticket, but I'll be walking the Camino this summer. Starting out around June 23rd from SJPP, hoping to arrive in SDC on July 25th for St. James' day, hopefully to see the botafumeiro.
This'll be my second time; I have a plan to go every 10 years. Last time, in '98, I did the Camino from SJPP to SDC in 30 days. A lot has changed since then--message boards like this, for instance!
Looking forward to the run-up to this year's Camino!
- Chris

 

[brendan nolan]

Hi Chris and welcome to the Forum
I hope you enjoy your preparations for the pilgrimage. You are right that a lot of things have changed since you last walked. I walked 2 years before you, in 1996, from Le Puy, and it has really changed since then in terms of numbers. In Spain it was possible to turn up at a refugio late afternoon and have no problem, but in 2005 one could pass through a village at 12 noon with queues outside the refugios. So be prepared!
Re botafumeiro - even if you don't manage 25th July it flys more often these days - dare one say commercialism and sponsorship(!), whatever, I you have a wonderful time! (How old will you be on the 3rd visit?)!! :arrow:
Buen Camino
Brendan

 

[baron]

I was 23 last time, 33 now. Next time'll be 43! I hope to be doing the Camino at 83!

 

[William Marques]

I am another once a decade pilgrim and was there in '98 too. My 00's was in '02 so I aim to get back some time after 2010. You could always take a different route the second time as we did going on the VdlP. Perhaps next time I will be on the Primitivo or Norte.

Buen Camino
William

 

[Deirdre]

Hi Chris,
Welcome to the forum. We are neighbors - I live in CT and completed the Camino in summer, '07. During my Way, I met only one other American, a young teacher also from NYC. I am always surprised at the few number of Americans who know and do the Camino. Good luck with your planning, you wil find a wealth of information here on this forum.
Buen Camino,

 

[baron]

Hi Deirdre,
I know, I had the same experience. I met only 3 other Americans the entire time. Thank goodness everyone on the camino was bilingual; I had no problem conversing. I am going to start brushing up on my Spanish and French so I might communicate even better this time...
Chris

 

[Arn]

Hi Chris and welcome!

You are in good company, with many pelegrinos leaving to walk the Milky Way at the same time as you. You've made a plan, are now at stage two...with more on the horizon.

Take a look at the Class of 2008 to see who might be walking beside you.

May your Camino bring the best to you as you walk the Way!

Buen Camino

Arn

 

[baron]

Gracias Arn!!

 

[anthonyjf]

Hello Chris,
This is Tony from Flushing, Queens - I was so glad to read your post and hear that another New Yorker will be walking the Camino! Since I will retire in August of '09 I will make my very first Camino in September of '09. Have you been to the Tourist Office of Spain? if not, go there to get a very nice package containing "Pilgrim's Guide The Road to Santiago." This package also comes with 31 cards covering the stages of the Camino Frances which is very similar to John Brierley's book "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago Camino Frances." The Spanish Tourist Office is located at 666 Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street on the 35th floor, I promise you won't be disappointed.

While my journey is more than a year away, I am reading as much as I can, both here and in some books I have ordered from Amazon. So far, I am leaving the practical things such as hiking boots and backpack closer to the time I will be leaving - do you have any suggestions on where I can buy these items? I recently ordered a catalog from Campmor in Mahwah, New Jersey - do you know of a place closer to the city? any info you can send me will be greatly appreciated.

Buen Camino Chris,
Tony