alikki1201
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I hope that helps. But probably the most useful advice is to be prepared to adapt to whatever the Camino brings your way. Flexibility (mental, spiritual, psychological) makes for a much more enjoyable walk.
Buen Camino,
Jo Jo
Thanks so much JoJo. I should have mentioned that I am not staying at augerges but at standard simple hotels booked through Camino Ways. Not sure if that changes much of what you mention. Great info. I appreciate all advice I can get. Sounds like I need a good umbrella. I have good rain gearThat helps. I've never walked in the Spring, so others will probably chime in with better information. Below is my observations from walking in the autumn with similarly chilly weather and less sunlight.
Generally, people do not leave the alburgue until the sun is up (especially if its cold or rainy). About 7am that time of year. That time of year also expect one in three days to be rainy from Pamplona on (probably even rainier in the mountains before Pamplona), and temps in the low 40s F in the morning when you are leaving. On the other hand, no penalty for walking during the afternoon (not so in the summer). Indeed, afternoon will probably be the best walking of the day.
So that time of year, I'd expect a lot of pilgrims to stay in the alburgues getting coffee, eating breakfast (from food purchased the day before) until the alburgue kicks them out (varies by alburgue, but often 8am or 8:30). Or walking 500 meters to a cafe and doing the same thing. Note, Spanish breakfasts are often caffeine, sugar (in some form) and orange juice. That doesn't work for me, so I always made sure I had other food to get enough fuel to walk.
During the summer we would often just picnic by the side of the road for lunch because stopping at a restaurant for lunch can take hours (the Spanish believe in taking your time to eat a meal). The time of year you are going, I think you may want to get out into a warm restaurant for a couple of hours at noon. Usually, you will be hungry for lunch and want to stop before you get to your next destination. We only would push though and have lunch in the village where we would sleep in the height of the summer when we did not want to walk in the afternoon sun. You sort of have the opposite issue--you'll want that afternoon sun.
Many Spanish stores observe a siesta (and may not be open at all on Sundays). Do your shopping accordingly. Some restaurants observe a siesta, but I've had less issues there (your experience may vary--this is a very unscientific study). Restaurants have always been open on Sunday (again, in my experience). The alburgues know that we straggle in during siesta time and are generally (but not always) open. Some of them will not let you check in until a certain time (because they are still cleaning from the last night's pilgrims).
When you get to the alburgue, my usual custom is a shower, laundry and a nap (in that order, so the clothes stand a minor chance of actually drying by morning).
Then start chatting with your fellow pilgrims in the alburgue and figure out who knows where a good restaurant is in town (if you have an option). Unless the alburgue has a meal (in which case, offer to help).
We always try to find a group to eat together with for dinner. The bigger the group, the better the chance that someone will be able to translate across the language barriers. The Dutch and Germans are ridiculously good at this (again, my experience). Most restaurants on the Camino know that pilgrims are starving, so they open early by Spanish standards (often 7pm). They feed the pilgrims, and then we all shuffle off to bed, after which they then feed to locals (10pm ish).
I hope that helps. But probably the most useful advice is to be prepared to adapt to whatever the Camino brings your way. Flexibility (mental, spiritual, psychological) makes for a much more enjoyable walk.
Buen Camino,
Jo Jo
We walked in that section late March in 2014 and again this year in early October. Breakfast is not so easy to find before about 7 in either March or October. But I would assume that by late April you should be able to get it by 6-6:30. How early you want/need to start depends on what time you want to get to your evening accommodation. If yo are booking ahead there’s no real rush to leave early. Small towns are pretty closed at siesta timeHI - Thanks for your note. I'm leaving on April 25. I'm walking the first 7 days to Logrono from Saint Jean Pied de Port. So, the French Way. I'm walking 21-28 km per day. Hope this gives you enough information to help answer.
Thanks so much JoJo. I should have mentioned that I am not staying at augerges but at standard simple hotels booked through Camino Ways. Not sure if that changes much of what you mention. Great info. I appreciate all advice I can get. Sounds like I need a good umbrella. I have good rain gear
I took an umbrella on summer/early fall Caminos, but not for the rain so much as the sun on the Meseta. For a short Camino between St and Logroño, I agree that it's probably not worth the weight and hassle.I'm not sure if you are serious about the umbrella but I would advise against it - more trouble than it's worth, in my view, and pretty useless in high winds.
What time to people start in the morning? It depends on the season and the people. Some people naturally start earlier and some naturally start later. There are stories that when pilgrim traffic is highest, some people start earlier to arrive earlier in a "bed race" before albergues are full. In my experience, people who are really concerned about full albergues tend to book ahead and not worry about racing, especially now that there are more private albergues that take bookings. In the heat of summer some also leave earlier to get as much walking done as possible before the hottest part of the day. When I was walking with my teenage son in July/August, we liked to leave close to 5:30 for that reason. When I walked in October, I was happier to leave at 7 or 7:30. But I often found myself leaving closer to 6 when the noise of other people leaving woke me up and I figured since I was up anyway, I might as well be on my way. But some people don't start their day's walk until 9:00 or later.Hi - I have a few questions about logistics: What time do people start in the morning usually? What time does breakfast start (so then, what is the earliest people can start walking? Do people stop for lunch or eat on the way (with something that they brought?) Or do they eat once they have arrived? I'm assuming 6-7 hours of walking, so it is possible to arrive at the next village by 2 PM. I believe lunch is served late? So do you eat upon arrival? Also, is dinner late? What time do they eat dinner on the Camino? Finally, are siestas alive and well in Spain still? Trying to understand the flow of the day. Gracias to anyone who can chime in and help me understand life on the Camino.
And many albergues don't offer breakfast. And when they do it's often just toast, coffee and juice.What time does breakfast start? That is also quite variable. Some albergues leave out breakfast the night before. Others serve it (if memory serves) closer to 7.
So I guess we weren't missing much.And many albergues don't offer breakfast. And when they do it's often just toast, coffee and juice.
Nope. And some albergues have those little packaged muffins and tiny croissants.So I guess we weren't missing much.
You definitely have to put more effort into meeting and socializing with other pilgrims when you aren't staying in albergues. Have you checked to see if your booked accommodations are actually on the Camino? Sometimes they are a few km out of town.Thanks for your post. Some think I might have a better time if I stay at Auberges but I’m booked through an agent at smaller modest inns along my 7 days on the Camino. The company does not offer bookings for Auburges.and am not sure I want to change anyway. I do want some time to myself but hope I will still be able to loop into the social scene, dinner etc wirh people I meet along the way. Another person said that if I was at a inn it might be isolating
Thoughts?
Thanks for your post. Some think I might have a better time if I stay at Auberges but I’m booked through an agent at smaller modest inns along my 7 days on the Camino. The company does not offer bookings for Auburges.and am not sure I want to change anyway. I do want some time to myself but hope I will still be able to loop into the social scene, dinner etc wirh people I meet along the way. Another person said that if I was at a inn it might be isolating
Thoughts?
Thanks for your post. Some think I might have a better time if I stay at Auberges but I’m booked through an agent at smaller modest inns along my 7 days on the Camino. The company does not offer bookings for Auburges.and am not sure I want to change anyway. I do want some time to myself but hope I will still be able to loop into the social scene, dinner etc wirh people I meet along the way. Another person said that if I was at a inn it might be isolating
Thoughts?
Where breakfast are available, 6:00 is often the time. In the heat of the summer, 4-5 am departures are common, giving 2 hrs in the dark(ish) before sun up, so bring a morning snack. You can usually find eateries along the way if the CF about 1 hr apart. Still some remote sections are foodless for 15-18 km.by day 3 you’ll have fugured it out.Hi - I have a few questions about logistics: What time do people start in the morning usually? What time does breakfast start (so then, what is the earliest people can start walking? Do people stop for lunch or eat on the way (with something that they brought?) Or do they eat once they have arrived? I'm assuming 6-7 hours of walking, so it is possible to arrive at the next village by 2 PM. I believe lunch is served late? So do you eat upon arrival? Also, is dinner late? What time do they eat dinner on the Camino? Finally, are siestas alive and well in Spain still? Trying to understand the flow of the day. Gracias to anyone who can chime in and help me understand life on the Camino.
The most enjoyable for us was to make a sandwich of cheese and maybe ham the night before, and then have it around noon, along the side of the trail. Breakfast was coffee and croissant. dinner at the albergue. Many days we walked hungry, as the cafes and stores were closed when we came thru town, so bringing along some light lunch became necessary. The Milka chocolate bars were handy in an emergency.Hi - I have a few questions about logistics: What time do people start in the morning usually? What time does breakfast start (so then, what is the earliest people can start walking? Do people stop for lunch or eat on the way (with something that they brought?) Or do they eat once they have arrived? I'm assuming 6-7 hours of walking, so it is possible to arrive at the next village by 2 PM. I believe lunch is served late? So do you eat upon arrival? Also, is dinner late? What time do they eat dinner on the Camino? Finally, are siestas alive and well in Spain still? Trying to understand the flow of the day. Gracias to anyone who can chime in and help me understand life on the Camino.
Since I note your start date is a ways off I recommend reading several kindle books that may give you some more insights. They helped me. From what I’ve already understood yes, Spaniard custom is to start dinner around 9. Most pilgrims bedtime at albergues. Note there are numerous sleeping options from donations only hostels to hotels. So food/tapas can also be found in bars and restaurants. YouTube videos is also a great way to hear pilgrims ask/answer questions you may not yet know to ask.Hi - I have a few questions about logistics: What time do people start in the morning usually? What time does breakfast start (so then, what is the earliest people can start walking? Do people stop for lunch or eat on the way (with something that they brought?) Or do they eat once they have arrived? I'm assuming 6-7 hours of walking, so it is possible to arrive at the next village by 2 PM. I believe lunch is served late? So do you eat upon arrival? Also, is dinner late? What time do they eat dinner on the Camino? Finally, are siestas alive and well in Spain still? Trying to understand the flow of the day. Gracias to anyone who can chime in and help me understand life on the Camino.
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