New to the Camino.......please say hi if you see me on the way

[Deanna]

Hi Camino friends, I plan to do the French Way in June 2014 (this year). Worried, excited, eager, what to pack is scaring me, can I cope at the Alberges, Either way..... Can wait.

 

[t2andreo]

Hi Camino friends, I plan to do the French Way in June 2014 (this year). Worried, excited, eager, what to pack is scaring me, can I cope at the Alberges, Either way..... Can wait.

Deanna:

Welcome to our merry band of pilgrims. There is plenty of information for you here in the forum. Trust me, everything you can possibly think of has been asked and answered at least once. If you happen to have that truly unique "one off" question, that is why we are all here. You will come to discover that the forum members, and indeed the pilgrims you will meet along your Camino, will become your extended family.

Before your Camino, they will help to prepare you and get you started right. Whilst on your Camino, they will help you, whenever, wherever and however is indicated without condition or pretense - the Camino provides, and we are all in this endeavor together. All you need to do while on Camino if you are in need, pain, discomfort, or doubt at ANY time is to speak up. Help will not be long in coming. Most important, after your Camino, as you readjust to the "real" world, your new extended Camino Family will be there to help you, both locally and afar.

I believe if you go to the home page of the forum, at the bottom there are several regional links. I am fairly certain that there is a local Camino group in Melbourne that you can link up with to get some hands on help "down under." There are loads, positively tons, of Aussies who have done and will do a Camino. They were some of my favorite people for the five weeks I walked last year. Seek them out. They will welcome you with open arms.

At the top of each page, there is a Google-powered search function for topics on the Camino. So if you search for posts on "walking poles" you will get a bunch of results, spread across several discussion threads or conversations. It is a powerful tool. Before you pose a question that YOU think is unique, try the search function first to save time. I believe there are over 20,000 Q&As across the forum at present.

You can also check the calendar to see if there are other pilgrims planning to depart on a Camino when you are. On the top line, click on events to bring up the calendar, then search for the month you are interested in. You can always start a conversation with anyone on the calendar to seek walking buddies, at least to start off with.

In closing, YOU CAN DO IT! Millions of other pilgrims over 1,300 years have done so. And YOU have the benefit of a huge and widespread support network to help you. It is NOT a cake walk. But it is an awesome, life-altering experience.

Again, welcome, and Buen Camino!

 

[colinPeter]

Hola Deanna,
Yes, welcome to the forum

...Worried, excited, eager, what to pack is scaring me, can I cope at the Alberges, Either way....

It's an exciting time, anticipating your first Camino.
All good advice above from t2andreo, feel free to join in the discussions and ask questions as needed.
Buen Camino
Colin

 

[piogaw]

Hi Camino friends, I plan to do the French Way in June 2014 (this year). Worried, excited, eager, what to pack is scaring me, can I cope at the Alberges, Either way..... Can wait.

deanna,

you have already took your first step for the camino de santiago. you will be ok. there are many experienced and veteran peregrinos in this forum to help you in any ways we can.

good luck with your planning and buen camino.

 

[Deanna]

Thankyou Camino friends. I already feel part of the community. One question. A group in Australia are offering a one day course on the Camino. This is the link:

http://www.caminodownunder.com/html/classworkshops.html

I was wondering if I should do this or is this just over analysing the whole trip and making it a normal holiday you plan. I am travelling on my own on the French Way starting mid June.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In the U.S. there have been a lot of free orientation courses at various REI stores. I honestly do not see the value in the amount being charged for the course. There is a lot of free advice on the Forum, much of which may be regurgitated to you in the course at some considerable charge!