Just saying hi...

[Shari Russell]

Hi there everyone!

Just thought I’d try out my posting *legs* here and give a shout out!
I’m hoping to arrive in Pamplona (bus from Barcelona) Saturday, July 7th and I am both excited and nervous. This will be my first time on the Camino and I’m doing it without cellphone and pre booking. Those are the 2 things that are making me nervous.

If anyone would like to reassure me that all will be OK, I’d love to hear it!

Best regards,
Shari

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Hello @Shari Russell, yes you will be OK and welcome to the forum. Buen Camino!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hey @Shari Russell , starting from Pamplona on a Saturday - good move! You'll be behind the week-end one surge from StJdP and well in front of the next one. Aim to avoid the classic 'Brierley' stages. always check for a bed while you've got a few miles left in the tank and you'll be fine.
Buen Camino

 

[Shari Russell]

Hey, thanks you two....feeling better already!

Shari

 

[Kosmos]

The nine-day San Fermin festival runs from July 6 to 14 in Pamplona. 1.000.000 people come to participate in this festival.

The running of the bulls at 8:00 AM, from the 7th of July to the 14th July

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fermín

 

[Shari Russell]

Ya, this makes me wonder about the reservations but.... I’m tired of planning everything! Going to hope for the best... and roll with it.

Shari

 

[Tincatinker]

Oops, I'd forgotten San Fermin. Shari, you won't get a reservation in Pamplona on the 7th, well not unless you have a big budget. So just walk on, out of town. www.gronze.com will show you your options.

 

[Dorpie]

Welcome @Shari Russell ,

Good shout @Kosmos. I started at almost exactly the same time last year and even booking over 3 months in advance I paid over €100 for a very basic room about 6km out of town. If you can, get far out of Pamplona as quickly as possible. I had a pretty hedonistic streak as a younger man and even for me St Fermin was not a pretty sight, or more to the point smell!

But once you're away from Pamplona it should be plain sailing, I didn't book once and as long as you're prepared to finish before 3 each day (which still leaves a potential 9 hours for walking if you start around sunrise) like me , you should have no trouble.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Might it be worth walking back from Pamplona to the albergue at Trinidad de Arre? I assume that those attending San Firmin would not be staying there - perhaps I am wrong.

 

[linkster]

@Shari Russell EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK! Maintain that positive attitude, and embrace the chaos of the San Fermin Festival. I mean how cool is that (minus the smell). Remember the Camino provides, but be open to what it provides.

 

[Shari Russell]

YES!!!!
Thank you Rob.... you and Tincatinker have helped solidify my thoughts about gettin’ outta there as swiftly as possible. The early mornings and early arrivals in *whatever places* are what I’m aiming for. Great encouragement, thanks.

Shari

 

[Shari Russell]

@Shari Russell EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK! Maintain that positive attitude, and embrace the chaos of the San Fermin Festival. I mean how cool is that (minus the smell). Remember the Camino provides, but be open to what it provides.

Great advice... I shall see what I see.... my time of arrival into Pamplona might be the first deciding factor! Going to find a ticket tomorrow.... wish me luck!

Shari

 

[Shari Russell]

Might it be worth walking back from Pamplona to the albergue at Trinidad de Arre? I assume that those attending San Firmin would not be staying there - perhaps I am wrong.

Good idea or moving forward to the other destinations as well. I’ll see what time I am to arrive in Pamplona and take it from there.

Shari

 

[Former member 49149]

Shari, there is a local bus that runs very near the Pamplona bus station and takes you to Cizur Menor, the nearest village after Pamplona. Equally, you can walk, as you can see it is less than 5km, giving you a nice wee stretch after being on the bus from Barcelona..

 

[Suzanne S.]

Buen Camino, @Shari Russell ! Enjoy!!?

 

[nycwalking]

You are unplanned and unplugged buen camino.

 

[LGLG]

Congrats on leaving your phone behind! If you really need prebooking at any one point - One of the other 99pc phone carrying people will help you out, for sure. My experience at least. Buen Camino!

 

[LGLG]

And also, speaking as a woman who has travelled a lot solo and doesn't easily get put off by things..., I probably also would get out of Pamplona as soon as possilbe with so much alcohol/testosterone mixes going on at the time. Just saying...
Other than that, you will be absolutely fine and you will find other pilgrims very supportive, I believe.

 

[Former member 49149]

Might it be worth walking back from Pamplona to the albergue at Trinidad de Arre? I assume that those attending San Firmin would not be staying there - perhaps I am wrong.

San Fermin lasts till 14th, so perhaps a better idea to move forward... of course it is ok to have a peek at the city and enjoy the atmosphere, but then move on to Cizur or Zaraquiegi, or even Uterga, depending on beds.

 

[Shari Russell]

Shari, there is a local bus that runs very near the Pamplona bus station and takes you to Cizur Menor, the nearest village after Pamplona. Equally, you can walk, as you can see it is less than 5km, giving you a nice wee stretch after being on the bus from Barcelona..
View attachment 44347

Thanks for this... will be a super option and I’ll see what my body wants me to do after the bus ride.

 

[Shari Russell]

And also, speaking as a woman who has travelled a lot solo and doesn't easily get put off by things..., I probably also would get out of Pamplona as soon as possilbe with so much alcohol/testosterone mixes going on at the time. Just saying...
Other than that, you will be absolutely fine and you will find other pilgrims very supportive, I believe.

Thank you for sharing your perspective on this, it is appreciated. I feel like I’m going to move on after my arrival, if all presents in a smooth manner.

 

[elleley]

Hola Shari!
I admire your spirit to let go and let...whatever happens! After three pilgrimages, I am finally going to walk my fourth without my cell phone. I have rarely made reservations, as I am not sure where I will land each day, one of the delights of this experience! The only thing I really used my phone for was the camera...my plan from the US is 20 cents/minute, which was only used twice (once on Mother's Day to call my mom and the other to call American Airlines after a missed flight!) So good for you. As mentioned, there are plenty of folks around (pilgrims and locals) who will help you if you need to make a local call. As far as San Fermin, stay calm and walk ON! But try to appreciate it ALL!
Buen Camino y Ultreia!!
elle

 

[Shari Russell]

Hola Shari!
I admire your spirit to let go and let...whatever happens! After three pilgrimages, I am finally going to walk my fourth without my cell phone. I have rarely made reservations, as I am not sure where I will land each day, one of the delights of this experience! The only thing I really used my phone for was the camera...my plan from the US is 20 cents/minute, which was only used twice (once on Mother's Day to call my mom and the other to call American Airlines after a missed flight!) So good for you. As mentioned, there are plenty of folks around (pilgrims and locals) who will help you if you need to make a local call. As far as San Fermin, stay calm and walk ON! But try to appreciate it ALL!
Buen Camino y Ultreia!!
elle

So great to hear from you Elle.... I am getting so excited!! All these notes, tidbits and encouragement are really filling my basket.
Thank you!
Shari

 

[spagirl]

I love the idea of being " unreachable"

I remember years ago I saw a receptionist with a headset in a washroom answering calls and thought that in the future the real luxury will be to be unreachable......
The future has arrived!
Enjoy it!

 

[Shari Russell]

YES!
What most of you *maybe* wouldn’t have guessed.... I don’t have a cellphone in general. Drives everyone around me crazy and I don’t care... it doesn’t align with my values.

Shari