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Wow, this could have been written by me in 2015 before embarking on my first camino, except I was newly retired. Wish you the best...you will be fine. Most of the worries dissolve within the first few days!I will be leaving for my first Camino in 9 days. Not just my first Camino but my first time over seas, my first time away from my family for this length of time and my first time doing anything of this magnitude in my entire life. I will be doing the Camino Frances starting from SJPDP and there have been several times that I have wanted to jump on here and ask a ton of questions but, without doing that, I have received all the answers thru this forum. What I do best is stress out over the unknown but as the trip gets closer and closer I am really trying to have the mind set that it is going to be what it is going to be. I have tried to train but with a full time job and all the other responsibilities of my life - it's hard to find the time. I've been planning this since last August and yet I still feel unprepared. I am so excited, nervous and ready to shut down, unplug and just walk - but not before thanking all of you for all of your wonderful comments and all the support that I have seen all of you give others like me who have doubts, questions and fears. Bag is packed (and re-packed and probably re-re-packed before I leave) and I am looking forward to meeting some of you along the trail.
Buen Camino!
When do you expect to be in Orleans?
I fly into Paris on the 21st then train to St. Jean on the 22nd (paris/bayonne/St. Jean) and then start on the 23rdWhen do you expect to be in Orleans?
One other thought. I’m a very proud father and grand-Father. But for a 42 days, I got to be Keith from Texas, nothing more.
If it is any consolation, I had one month between decision and leaving and it was also my first trip to Europe. I went last September-October. I was not an avid hiker and had no time to train. I am 62 yo. I did the entire camino from SJPDP to Santiago. It was an absolutely amazing journey. With the exception of getting food poisoning (from virtually raw fish) that had subsided by the next day (I didn't eat much of it), I had absolutely no issues (no blisters, knee issues, etc.). And I met some very amazing people. I am planning my next camino next year (Portugal) and plan to do the Frances again in the next few years God willing. What a spiritual journey!!! I actually got depressed for a while when I got home because I missed it so much. Have a great time and remember to stop and smell the roses (or cow poop! haha). Buen Camino!I will be leaving for my first Camino in 9 days. Not just my first Camino but my first time over seas, my first time away from my family for this length of time and my first time doing anything of this magnitude in my entire life. I will be doing the Camino Frances starting from SJPDP and there have been several times that I have wanted to jump on here and ask a ton of questions but, without doing that, I have received all the answers thru this forum. What I do best is stress out over the unknown but as the trip gets closer and closer I am really trying to have the mind set that it is going to be what it is going to be. I have tried to train but with a full time job and all the other responsibilities of my life - it's hard to find the time. I've been planning this since last August and yet I still feel unprepared. I am so excited, nervous and ready to shut down, unplug and just walk - but not before thanking all of you for all of your wonderful comments and all the support that I have seen all of you give others like me who have doubts, questions and fears. Bag is packed (and re-packed and probably re-re-packed before I leave) and I am looking forward to meeting some of you along the trail.
Buen Camino!
Thank you so much everyone for your comments. Keith from Texas, I am 51 very proud mother of a wonderful son (KellyOne other thought. I’m a very proud father and grand-Father. But for a 42 days, I got to be Keith from Texas, nothing more.
Rock it Colleen from BC!Thank you so much everyone for your comments. Keith from Texas, I am 51 very proud mother of a wonderful son (Kelly) but for 39 days I am so looking forward to just being Colleen from British Columbia. Nothing more
Ditto. Retired in July and walked Sept/Oct 18. Enjoy and in no time you will have completed your journey.Wow, this could have been written by me in 2015 before embarking on my first camino, except I was newly retired. Wish you the best...you will be fine. Most of the worries dissolve within the first few days!
Buen Camino!
Thank you and I hope you have a great walk as well!I will do my first Camino in July this year.
The only stressing thing I encountered was the search for a cheap flight to Bayonne.
Since I've found that I'm flying with AirFrance, all stress went away.
For every problem you and I will encounter on the Camino there will be a solution. It will be a great time, no reason to be anxious or nervous.
I hope that you'll have a great walk, meet wonderful people and turn home without any stress and mentally revived.
Buen Camino!
Roland
It all depends on your health. It will take 3 days to get your body attuned to walking. The first day is the toughest because of the elevation change. and the 14 mile distance. You might want to stop between 1 and 2 for a few days to see how your body is adjusting. I am 74 and will be heading over again next April to celebrate my 75th birthday. At this point just relax and go with your plan.I will be leaving for my first Camino in 9 days. Not just my first Camino but my first time over seas, my first time away from my family for this length of time and my first time doing anything of this magnitude in my entire life. I will be doing the Camino Frances starting from SJPDP and there have been several times that I have wanted to jump on here and ask a ton of questions but, without doing that, I have received all the answers thru this forum. What I do best is stress out over the unknown but as the trip gets closer and closer I am really trying to have the mind set that it is going to be what it is going to be. I have tried to train but with a full time job and all the other responsibilities of my life - it's hard to find the time. I've been planning this since last August and yet I still feel unprepared. I am so excited, nervous and ready to shut down, unplug and just walk - but not before thanking all of you for all of your wonderful comments and all the support that I have seen all of you give others like me who have doubts, questions and fears. Bag is packed (and re-packed and probably re-re-packed before I leave) and I am looking forward to meeting some of you along the trail.
Buen Camino!
Have an amazing journey. You will be hooked!I will do my first Camino in July this year.
The only stressing thing I encountered was the search for a cheap flight to Bayonne.
Since I've found that I'm flying with AirFrance, all stress went away.
For every problem you and I will encounter on the Camino there will be a solution. It will be a great time, no reason to be anxious or nervous.
I hope that you'll have a great walk, meet wonderful people and turn home without any stress and mentally revived.
Buen Camino!
Roland
So, first of all- Congratulations! You are going to have a really interesting Odyssey. Maybe stop the first day in Orisson, to break up the first mighty exertions. Give you some time to absorb what is happening and enjoy it. You are going to a wonderful area of the world. Soak it in and remember to go at your own pace! It is YOUR Camino...I will be leaving for my first Camino in 9 days. Not just my first Camino but my first time over seas, my first time away from my family for this length of time and my first time doing anything of this magnitude in my entire life. I will be doing the Camino Frances starting from SJPDP and there have been several times that I have wanted to jump on here and ask a ton of questions but, without doing that, I have received all the answers thru this forum. What I do best is stress out over the unknown but as the trip gets closer and closer I am really trying to have the mind set that it is going to be what it is going to be. I have tried to train but with a full time job and all the other responsibilities of my life - it's hard to find the time. I've been planning this since last August and yet I still feel unprepared. I am so excited, nervous and ready to shut down, unplug and just walk - but not before thanking all of you for all of your wonderful comments and all the support that I have seen all of you give others like me who have doubts, questions and fears. Bag is packed (and re-packed and probably re-re-packed before I leave) and I am looking forward to meeting some of you along the trail.
Buen Camino!
Thank you everyone for your suggestions, recommendations and well wishes. Two more sleeps and the adventure begins!My recommendation after the Collado de Lepoeder when its going down to Roncesvalles:
Think about to walk the street, going to the right side.
It is good to walk, not steep, Gronze says only 400 meters more.
When you enter the Nationalstreet at the church the way goes to the left through the bushes, so no need to walk at the street.
Both times I was there I didn´t walk straight ahead through the forest to Roncesvalles, so I can´t say anything about it.
But if you have problems with your knees or you are really tired, the street could be the better way.
I think you have a great attitude. You will start to get those butterflies as you get closer to your departure. Hopefully it will be the kind of butterflies you get before a date with someone you really like and not the butterflies before you go to the dentist!! haha. Buen Camino and keep that attitude up when you are walking and meeting the challenges we all face as we go.I will do my first Camino in July this year.
The only stressing thing I encountered was the search for a cheap flight to Bayonne.
Since I've found that I'm flying with AirFrance, all stress went away.
For every problem you and I will encounter on the Camino there will be a solution. It will be a great time, no reason to be anxious or nervous.
I hope that you'll have a great walk, meet wonderful people and turn home without any stress and mentally revived.
Buen Camino!
Roland
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