Nervous and excited

[rnamshl]

Hello, My name is Renee. I live in Los Angeles, California, a long way from the Camino in more ways than just distance. I am looking forward to starting the Camino at the end of May 2007. I plan to start in Roncesvailles as of now. I'm just starting my journey of figuring out what I need to do to prepare, it seems a lot and yet not so much considering the necessity of a light load.

I am not sure why I am doing this and when I ask myself I have many reasons. I have 2 friends that have done it and have felt compelled to do it myself since hearing of it. I have been taking Spanish classes in hopes that this will help me feel more comfort in walking the Camino alone as I plan to.

Thank you to everyone on this site for sharing your stories and thoughts.
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[jgray4613]

My daughter and I walked the camino last spring, also starting in late May from St Jean. It was a great time to start. Do pack light, there's not much you really need. I did take small digital camera that I used a lot.

Do get good pair of lightweight hiking boots. Lots of info and opinions about this on this forum so I won't repeat it.

Don't worry about why you're doing it, after a few days it won't matter.

We found that English and French were the common languages of the camino so you will get by quite well in English, but learning Spanish is a real plus. Most Spanish we met did not speak English. We both speak some spanish but at first we were a little shy about it but soon we were talking with the Spanish peregrinos and the local people that we met. Everyone was very friendly and quite eager to speak with us.

Don't be too concerned about going over alone. You'll meet lots of people as you walk. So you can always walk alone or with your new friends as you choose. We really liked the people we met, both the perigrinos and the local Spanish.

Last thing. Would we do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat.

 

[rnamshl]

Starting in May

Thank you for your reply and encouragement. Did you get much rain if any in May?

 

[Deleted member 397]

The only things I would add are to take ear plugs and take around 5kgs. I met one or two on the via de la plata last may burdened with twice that and they struggled. One woman even took a hairdryer!. Some say to take extra shoes-forget it. Wear a decent pair of walking shoes. Walking poles-forget it, just extra weight in my opinion.
I too want to the French camino next may so I might see you
all the best
Kevin
PS Did I mention to pack light?

 

[JustRob]

Take a look at the Equipment forum regarding various gear.

I've been hiking with poles for several years, and find that they take just enough load off my shoulders and waist to make them worthwhile.

They also help prevent tendonitis in my knees on downhills (something to which I am particularly susceptible).

 

[marktqm]

Yes, it rains in May along the camino. I walked from end of April 2006 at SJPP and finished last day of May in Santiago. There was rain in Navarra and La Rioja first week of May. In the third week there was cold rain and sleet and snow at Cruz de Ferro. Other than those two occasions I encountered no other precipitation. Bone dry in Galicia last week of May. I guess the best advice is to expect the unexpected and just be prepared for whatever may come.

In my opinion, a poncho makes you look like the hunchback of Notre Dame, it flaps with the wind and you cannot see if it is really covering your backpack. And I never figured how to put it on fast just as the rain begins. Take a rain jacket with rain pants and/or umbrella.

Mark