may the 1st

[Eric1985]

With the first of may fast approaching Im both exited and a bit daunted about my first camino. do I have enough training is my bag to heavy things like that's. Just cant wait to get to st. Jean and get going I suppose its like everything u will learn as u go and by your mistakes. bring it on.............

 

[Al the optimist]

Yes, you learn about how to do your own Camino as you go along. Obviously you can prepare somewhat by research but a lot goes out the window once you are there and you adapt.

 

[scruffy1]

The First of May is the Feast Day of Saint Peregrine Laziosi an appropriate name for a pilgrim! Further it is believed he did not sit down for thirty years! A propitious sign. To bring you back to realities, May 1 is also Saint Karl Marx day, that is, Labor Day, in both France and Spain so expect some difficulties in public transportation, many businesses will be closed. You can count that since it falls on a Friday, the event will be turned into a long weekend of festivities and holiday. Maybe consider April 30? Buen Camino!

 

[naplesdon]

Labor Day falls on a Friday this year, expect that to be turned into a long 3 to 4 day holiday, lots of crowds and lots of closings. I don't know the school holiday schedule but I am willing to bet it falls around the same time.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I arrived on May 1 last year.
Things were closed, but I managed.
Just be aware...

 

[Carol06]

The First of May is the Feast Day of Saint Peregrine Laziosi an appropriate name for a pilgrim! Further it is believed he did not sit down for thirty years! A propitious sign. To bring you back to realities, May 1 is also Saint Karl Marx day, that is, Labor Day, in both France and Spain so expect some difficulties in public transportation, many businesses will be closed. You can count that since it falls on a Friday, the event will be turned into a long weekend of festivities and holiday. Maybe consider April 30? Buen Camino!

Yes. I experienced 1st of May syndrome too. Almost everything was closed so be prepared.

 

[Eric1985]

I have just been informed by my better half that its the end of may we are going (blonde moment). Thanks anyway for the advice much appreciated.

 

[TomUK]

Ever though about moving it back to May the 4th?

 

[Al the optimist]

Looks like you have to adapt already! No I personally get many things wrong, but the date of my Camino? Never! Impossible!
PS It is Saturday right?

 

[Eric1985]

QUOTE="Al the optimist, post: 270707, member: 18869"]Looks like you have to adapt already! No I personally get many things wrong, but the date of my Camino? Never! Impossible!
PS It is Saturday right?[/QUOTE]
Think it was more a case of me getting a head of my self al. Ha

 

[Robo]

I arrived on May 1 last year.
Things were closed, but I managed.
Just be aware...

Everything closed? Bars, restaurants, hotels?

 

[naplesdon]

Everything closed? Bars, restaurants, hotels?

Not exactly, but it's going to be a long holiday weekend, so shops and hypermarches will no doubt be closed on Friday and Sunday. The bars will be very busy but restaurants have crazy ways of dealing with holidays. For example, during one of the biggest festival weekends in Bayonne, when Bayonne and Biarritz are teeming with free spending tourist to see the running of the bulls, lots of restaurants close to let their employees participate in the activities, go figure!

 

[NavyBlue]

Hello,

By the French law, it is forbidden to let employees work on the 1st of May, except where the activity cannot be interrupted because of its nature (oil refineries, hospital ER...). This is not applicable to a self-employed person or to the owner of a business (e.g. : a bakery might open as a pop and mom operation but without any employee being present).

So don't expect much activity or services.

The good news (for the customers...) : the 1st of May is the only day of the year with such regulations.

 

[Tincatinker]

On the first day of May, or the closest Monday / Friday (consult your consulate) throughout Europe, the under-classes rise up in symbolic rebellion against capitalism, exploitative employers and the ruling classes. Unless they work in public services or in bars, hotels and restaurants in which case they will merely ensure that your bandages are over tight or spit in your soup.
Public transport probably suffers more than most material issues that might impact on the traveller. Huge numbers of people will be wishing to travel and services will be reduced or even withdrawn.

 

[Robo]

On the first day of May, or the closest Monday / Friday (consult your consulate) throughout Europe, the under-classes rise up in symbolic rebellion against capitalism, exploitative employers and the ruling classes. Unless they work in public services or in bars, hotels and restaurants in which case they will merely ensure that your bandages are over tight or spit in your soup.
Public transport probably suffers more than most material issues that might impact on the traveller. Huge numbers of people will be wishing to travel and services will be reduced or even withdrawn.

I see. Never noticed it in the UK over 37 years. Maybe I was in the wrong class

 

[Anniesantiago]

Everything closed? Bars, restaurants, hotels?

Of course, hotels were open in Madrid. A few bars, but I had to really look to find them.
A few restaurants, but again, I had to seek them out. MOST places were either closed, or closed up early.
There is always at least one farmacia open in town on any given day - it's law I believe.
No markets. No museums.
I'd just go with some sandwich or picnic food, to be sure you get dinner.
Just don't expect it to be life as usual that day and you'll be fine

 

[SYates]

... Maybe I was in the wrong class

I think you might have been! To quote Terry Pratchett:

"All the little angels rise up, rise up.
All the little angels rise up high!
How do they rise up, rise up, rise up?
How do they rise up, rise up high?
They rise heads up, heads up, heads up, they rise heads up, heads up high"

Buen Primero de Marzo, SY

 

[Robo]

'May Day'

Of course! May Poles and Morris Dancers......... Can't say I ever noticed the masses rising up in revolt.......... Must have been 'living under a rock' all those years

But forewarned is forearmed.

I shall ensure I have plenty of food in my pack!

 

[KinkyOne]

Can't say I ever noticed the masses rising up in revolt.......... Must have been 'living under a rock' all those years

Wrong part of the world and bad timing, I guess

 

[Robo]

Wrong part of the world and bad timing, I guess

Must be!

Other than the UK traditional May Day celebrations, I can recall the big military parades in Moscow on TV in the old USSR days........ But must have been oblivious to the other stuff going on

But living in Europe seems like a life time ago sadly..........