I leave in 9 days. Last minute decisions for an overthinker!

[Stephen Tran]

Hi everybody! I first posted on this forum last year when I decided I wanted to walk the Camino. When I was about to book my trip, medical issues came up and I was forced to store away my plans. That was May 2015, oh how time passes.

I'm 22 and I'm nervous. This is my first trip out of country alone, and I'm leaving 4 members of my family at home for about 45 days. My mind tries to find the simplest ways to do things, this means that when there's TONS of information on a subject such as exercise, I have 2 options: Get stuck on a tactical way of doing things and giving up later or just become very de-motivated, or wing it and do what feels right. My option for the Camino is the latter, but there's certainly a few things that I can't leave without clarifying. Also I might even overthink somethings, for example:

My ticket says that I will arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 7:45AM. I don't know if it means 7:45AM Dallas, TX time (my home) or Madrid time, and so i have yet to pull the trigger on a train ticket.

I will take a Renfe Train to Pamplona, and from Pamplona, a bus to SJPDP. Is this RENFE Train found at the airport? I'm not worried about finding a bus at Pamplona at all.

Any last things I should bring? So far I've packed

Clothes
Phone + Phone charger
Medicine
Wallet
Toothbrush + toothpaste

And that's it. Should I anticipate cold weather and perhaps pack something such as a sweater? Hope you were able to bear through that jumbled mess. Any answers to my questions are extremely appreciated

 

[trecile]

My ticket says that I will arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 7:45AM. I don't know if it means 7:45AM Dallas, TX time (my home) or Madrid time, and so i have yet to pull the trigger on a train ticket.

It means 7:45 AM Local (Madrid) time.

I will take a Renfe Train to Pamplona, and from Pamplona, a bus to SJPDP. Is this RENFE Train found at the airport?

You should have the name of the station, which is no doubt Atocha station on your ticket. Here's some info about transferring to the train station.

You should also bring a sleeping bag liner or light sleeping bag.

 

[James R B]

Bring a positive attitude.

 

[Mark Lee]

Fleece pullover/jacket
rain jacket
flip flop sandals for the shower and to wear when you take off your boots/shoes at the albergue
some type of quick drying towel

 

[mla1]

Hi Stephen,

At the airport in Madrid there will be an information desk somewhere after you go through the customs and baggage areas. They will speak English and can point you to the easiest way to get to the train station. I took the airport bus to Atocha. It was 5 euros and easy.
And yes - some mornings/evenings will be chilly and you will want something warm - a fleece or jacket. And something for rain.

Buen camino!
Mary Louise

 

[VNwalking]

Hi Stephen, welcome back!
Others have tackled the transportation question.

As far as stuff is concerned:
Sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner
Definitely a poncho that also goes over the pack or rainjacket+pack cover (you can get these in Spain if need be)
Fleece is good.
Hat (you can also get this in Spain, cheaply)
basic first aid stuff--and I always have plain old paper tape to tape my feet to prevent blisters. It works brilliantly!
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/an-easy-way-to-prevent-blisters-try-paper-tape/?_r=0
http://www.blisterprevention.com.au/blister-blog/taping-for-blister-prevention

Don't overdo the clothes--1 change and maybe a nicer shirt/slacks for evening.
And don't worry if you find you need something that you haven't brought. Spain has stores!

 

[SYates]

...
Clothes
Phone + Phone charger
Medicine
Wallet
Toothbrush + toothpaste

...

If you post your exact packing list, we might be able to help better. Don't forget sun and rain protection. Buen Camino, SY

 

[VNwalking]

Stephen, SY knows...she wrote a very helpful book about what to bring and what not to bring. So if you have packing questions she can answer them!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Don't bother with the train, take the bus directly from the airport: simpler.

 

[DanielH]

Stephen--welcome to this site of exceptional resources of information! I too live in Dallas and did the Camino Frances last year from SJPDD to Burgos and will be returning in mid September to pick up where I left off. Don't over think it too much and enjoy the Camino. You will find a huge family of fellow pilgrims on the Camino who will be there to help at the drop of a hat should you need anything. I look forward to updates perhaps. Buen Camino!

 

[MaryLynn]

Some 'administrative' details: Photocopy your credit/debit cards, passport i.d. page, itinerary, travel insurance info, and whatever other important documents you are taking. Keep one copy with you but separate from the copied items and leave a copy with someone at home. I also take a printed contact list with important email addresses of my kids, neighbour, housesitter, friend, etc. Also, I register on the Government of Canada website and I take the emergency contact information for the Canadian Embassy in Spain. I don't expect problems and I'm not worried about theft or loss or political problems, but if something did happen then I have the information I need. And don't forget to let your bank and credit card company know when and where you are traveling! And have fun!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Called my credit card company and the voice mail message says that due to their new systems they no longer need you to call to give them a heads up of your trip.

Good trick learned here: take a photo of your contact and emergency contact info with your phone and have that as the background screen of your phone so someone can access the info by just turning your phone on.

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi everybody! I first posted on this forum last year when I decided I wanted to walk the Camino. When I was about to book my trip, medical issues came up and I was forced to store away my plans. That was May 2015, oh how time passes.

I'm 22 and I'm nervous. This is my first trip out of country alone, and I'm leaving 4 members of my family at home for about 45 days. My mind tries to find the simplest ways to do things, this means that when there's TONS of information on a subject such as exercise, I have 2 options: Get stuck on a tactical way of doing things and giving up later or just become very de-motivated, or wing it and do what feels right. My option for the Camino is the latter, but there's certainly a few things that I can't leave without clarifying. Also I might even overthink somethings, for example:

My ticket says that I will arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 7:45AM. I don't know if it means 7:45AM Dallas, TX time (my home) or Madrid time, and so i have yet to pull the trigger on a train ticket.

I will take a Renfe Train to Pamplona, and from Pamplona, a bus to SJPDP. Is this RENFE Train found at the airport? I'm not worried about finding a bus at Pamplona at all.

Any last things I should bring? So far I've packed

Clothes
Phone + Phone charger
Medicine
Wallet
Toothbrush + toothpaste

And that's it. Should I anticipate cold weather and perhaps pack something such as a sweater? Hope you were able to bear through that jumbled mess. Any answers to my questions are extremely appreciated

Stephen:

Stop thinking and just go. More than likely you are bringing too much but you will sort that out after a few days. On the chance you did not bring something, you will be able to purchase in Spain.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[whariwharangi]

I will take a Renfe Train to Pamplona, and from Pamplona, a bus to SJPDP. Is this RENFE Train found at the airport? I'm not worried about finding a bus at Pamplona at all.

You need to figure out at which terminal you will arrive.

Most Renfe trains from Madrid to Pamplona leave from Puerta de Atocha. Some leave from Chamartin.

Renfe Cercanias operates a commuter rail line from Airport T4 to Chamartin and Atocha.

Madrid Metro connects both T1T2T3 and T4 to Atocha and Chamartin.

EMT Madrid operates bus 203 Aeropuerto Express from T1T2T3 and T4 to Atocha.

Take taxi from Pamplona Renfe Station to Pamplona Estacion de Autobuses. Take CONDA (ALSA) bus from Pamplona to SJPdP.

 

[nathanael]

Hi everybody! I first posted on this forum last year when I decided I wanted to walk the Camino. When I was about to book my trip, medical issues came up and I was forced to store away my plans. That was May 2015, oh how time passes.

I'm 22 and I'm nervous. This is my first trip out of country alone, and I'm leaving 4 members of my family at home for about 45 days. My mind tries to find the simplest ways to do things, this means that when there's TONS of information on a subject such as exercise, I have 2 options: Get stuck on a tactical way of doing things and giving up later or just become very de-motivated, or wing it and do what feels right. My option for the Camino is the latter, but there's certainly a few things that I can't leave without clarifying. Also I might even overthink somethings, for example:

My ticket says that I will arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 7:45AM. I don't know if it means 7:45AM Dallas, TX time (my home) or Madrid time, and so i have yet to pull the trigger on a train ticket.

I will take a Renfe Train to Pamplona, and from Pamplona, a bus to SJPDP. Is this RENFE Train found at the airport? I'm not worried about finding a bus at Pamplona at all.

Any last things I should bring? So far I've packed

Clothes
Phone + Phone charger
Medicine
Wallet
Toothbrush + toothpaste

And that's it. Should I anticipate cold weather and perhaps pack something such as a sweater? Hope you were able to bear through that jumbled mess. Any answers to my questions are extremely appreciated

hey Camino friend relax you will be fine and many friends on the way will always be there to help. I leave in 4 days but not leaving to the 5 of June from Lourdes France, so will be behind you since you are staring in Pamplona...weather should be warm if need be you can purchase things you need on the way. who knows we could catch up , my name is niel. bueno Camino

 

[Geri_San Diego]

Hi Stephen: I just returned frommy first Camino. This forum helped me immensely in preparing for the Camino. I listened carefully to those who went before me and were more experienced, Most of the time their advise was right on - especially about what to take. One thing that took me totally by surprise was how actually HARD it was, physically challenging, day after day to walk 15-20 miles and come in so tired that you can barely wash your clothes, take a shower and eat. Now this will not be the case for you because of your age, but just because you are an over thinker I am letting you know, you might be surprised by "something" - but it will be okay. If you are dedicated to letting the Camino guide you in your unique journey, you will learn and experience what you will need and if you go with the experience and not fight it - it will be a wonderful enriching time of your life.