Last Minute Questions for a first timer

M

MariposaTraveler

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances-Beginning May 13th in SJPP

• May 11, 2015

• #1

I'm a first time pilgrim traveling solo and am due to arrive in SJPP on May 12 and am planning to start the camino on May 13. Where should I stay in SJPP? I'd like to stay as budget friendly as possible but I'm not arriving till late afternoon so I don't know if some of the less expensive places will be full?

Also just a curiosity, I'm a pretty heavy sleeper but I want to get an early start for roncevalles. Is it considered incredibly rude if I use my phone alarm in the albergues to wake myself up? Thanks for any advice!

 

mspath

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances, autumn/winter; 2004, 2005-2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

• May 11, 2015

• #2

When you arrive in SJPdP go to the Pilgrim Office at 39 rue de La Citadelle which is on the camino. They are open until 22:00 in season. When you are on site They can help you find accommodaton as well as provide cuŕrent weather info and issue your Credential/Pilgrim Passport.

Buen camino!

 

VNwalking

Out walking

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Yearly and Various 2014-2019
Via Monastica 2022

• May 11, 2015

• #3

And about the phone...you won't endear yourself to your fellow pilgrims with that alarm. Set it to vibrate, perhaps, if you are nervous about sleeping in but be assured that there will be others who will probably wake you earlier than you want with rustling plastic bags and other kinds of 'alarms.'

 

David

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• May 11, 2015

• #4

drink a lot of water before you go to sleep and your bladder will wake you up nice and early.

 

A

Anemone del Camino

Guest

• May 11, 2015

• #5

MariposaTraveler said:

I'm a first time pilgrim traveling solo and am due to arrive in SJPP on May 12 and am planning to start the camino on May 13. Where should I stay in SJPP? I'd like to stay as budget friendly as possible but I'm not arriving till late afternoon so I don't know if some of the less expensive places will be full?

Also just a curiosity, I'm a pretty heavy sleeper but I want to get an early start for roncevalles. Is it considered incredibly rude if I use my phone alarm in the albergues to wake myself up? Thanks for any advice!

Click to expand...

 

A

Anemone del Camino

Guest

• May 11, 2015

• #6

Rats .... Sorry for the empty response above, don't know how that happened. If you want to have the opportunity to meet lovely people on your Camino turn your phone off! Do not use it as an alarm, not with sound, not with vibrate as that still make noise. Everyone will be getting up early to walk up so don't worry. What you could use if you insisted on being selfreliable is a Jawbone bracelet that can be used as an alarm clock: when it vibrates it is perfectly silent. It's what I use and like having for the mornings I have a train or plain to catch and must wake up before the others.

As for a place to sleep in SJPP, many albergues accept reservations.

 

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Time of past OR future Camino

First: Camino Francés 1999
...
Last: Santiago - Muxia 2019

Now: http://egeria.house/

• May 11, 2015

• #7

MariposaTraveler said:

... Also just a curiosity, I'm a pretty heavy sleeper but I want to get an early start for roncevalles. Is it considered incredibly rude if I use my phone alarm in the albergues to wake myself up? Thanks for any advice!

Click to expand...

If you sleep in a dorm, others will have exactly the same plan. So just chat with each other and agree on a time to get up. And hope that nobody decides to get up much earlier. Buen Camino! SY

 

MoniRose

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

(5/28-7/4, 2012) Camino Frances - SJPP to Santiago
(7/22-8/2, 2013) Camino Finesterra
(?) Camino Le Puy

• May 11, 2015

• #8

I never had any problem starting my walk by 6:00. For 35+ mornings it was the rustling of the other pilgrims that woke me.

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• May 11, 2015

• #9

MariposaTraveler said:

Is it considered incredibly rude if I use my phone alarm in the albergues to wake myself up?

Click to expand...

Honestly? Yes.

 

M

MariposaTraveler

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances-Beginning May 13th in SJPP

• May 11, 2015

• #10

Thanks for all of the replies! I'll be leaving early tomorrow from Dublin for Biarritz then on to SJPP. The phone will be turned off in the albergues. I assumed it wasn't such a good idea but wanted double check. Buen camino everyone.