Question about Camino: a round trip from St Jean Pied De Port to Santiago De Compostella

[Benjamin Nguyen]

Hi, My name is Ben. I'm a college student with a budget. The first time I heard about Camino de Santiago is through the movie "The Walk" 2 years ago. I watched that movie at least 10 times and I can't get enough of it. The reason I want to walk the Camino is that I am currently running up against a gigantic wall and I'm honestly stuck. Somehow, I feel like if I do this walk, it would give me an insight of myself and giving me courage to face my problems. I'm also currently an officer in training; 2 more years then I would be 2nd LT. With my current mindset, I would let my captain and my peers down; I absolutely do not want that fear to come true. What I'm trying to say is that I need some advice about the Walk. Have anyone been walking the Camino back and forth? is it worth doing a round trip?
I heard so far is that the budget would be in range of 15 euros to 30 euros a day. what is the expectation during the walk? how's the walking alone like? I know there are tours for the Camino but I just want to do the walk without the tour guide.
What about the language? Spanish is not my strongest subject.

 

[SYates]

[QUOTE="Benjamin Nguyen, post: 267534, member: 42838"... Have anyone been walking the Camino back and forth? is it worth doing a round trip?
I heard so far is that the budget would be in range of 15 euros to 30 euros a day. what is the expectation during the walk? how's the walking alone like? I know there are tours for the Camino but I just want to do the walk without the tour guide.[/QUOTE]

Traditionally, aka post the industrial age, pilgrims would walk (take the ship/horse drawn carriage ect) from their door step of their houses to a sacred place and back as they no other possibility.
20 - 30 Euros per day is perfectly possible but also count in expense for gear and travel to/back from the Camino if you are not starting at home.
Alone? You will rarely be alone in Spain, if you start further than the four main starting points in France (Vezelay, Le Puy, Paris or Arles) that might become a mental challenge but not in Spain.
No need for a tour guide or any organized package tour, the majority of pilgrims just walk it alone and are fine doing so!
If the Camino calls you, follow the call!
Buen Camino! SY

 

[Mark Lee]

You sound like you are young enough to walk the Camino Frances with no problems. It's not that difficult and far from being a technical hike of any kind. It's a walk through rural, northern Spain. Not a hike in the traditional sense and certainly nothing like a hike or march in the military.
Personally I wouldn't walk from SJPdP to Santiago and then turn around and walk back. I think taking the extra days and walking to Finisterre or Muxia would be more enjoyable.
Don't hire a tour guide. Absolutely no need for one. Buy a guidebook, research a bit and get to SJPdP. That's all you need to do.
I think I could easily do it again tomorrow without having "trained" for it or with little prep time. Mind you, I wouldn't do it tomorrow because it's just too dang cold there right now, but my point was very little is needed to do it.

 

[Benjamin Nguyen]

I would absolutely go to Muxia when I get to Santiago de Compostella. I'm thinking of booking a trip from May 20th to end of July. Since I'm on budget and weirdly a round trip is way cheaper than one way trip.

 

[Mark Lee]

I would absolutely go to Muxia when I get to Santiago de Compostella. I'm thinking of booking a trip from May 20th to end of July. Since I'm on budget and weirdly a round trip is way cheaper than one way trip.

Yeah, that is a lot of time and you could easily walk back to SJPdP in that frame. I'm sure it's done all the time but I don't think I saw anybody do that on either of my Caminos.

 

[Benjamin Nguyen]

Mark, what about the language? I don't speak Spanish even a little.

 

[SYates]

Mark, what about the language? I don't speak Spanish even a little.

Don't worry, since 1,000+ years people living alongside the Camino are used to deal with 'stupid foreigners that don't speak Spanish'! SY
PS But if you bother to learn even a few words/phrases you really make their day!

 

[SYates]

I would absolutely go to Muxia when I get to Santiago de Compostella. I'm thinking of booking a trip from May 20th to end of July. Since I'm on budget and weirdly a round trip is way cheaper than one way trip.

Are you referring to your air plane ticket or to booking a tour on the Camino? SY

 

[Benjamin Nguyen]

Are you referring to your air plane ticket or to booking a tour on the Camino? SY

Thanks SYates, I refer air plane ticket. I looked it up; the airfare round trip to Biarritz is cheaper than one way ticket. do you have any recommendation about where to get air plane ticket?

 

[SYates]

I normally use http://www.skyscanner.net to find the cheapest fare. Where are you located / travelling from? SY

 

[Benjamin Nguyen]

I normally use http://www.skyscanner.net to find the cheapest fare. Where are you located / travelling from? SY

I intend to fly from Dallas/Fortworth to Biarritz the take the train/bus to SJPDP

 

[Al the optimist]

Have you looked at an open jaw ticket?

 

[jeffnd]

Hi, My name is Ben. I'm a college student with a budget. The first time I heard about Camino de Santiago is through the movie "The Walk" 2 years ago. I watched that movie at least 10 times and I can't get enough of it. The reason I want to walk the Camino is that I am currently running up against a gigantic wall and I'm honestly stuck. Somehow, I feel like if I do this walk, it would give me an insight of myself and giving me courage to face my problems. I'm also currently an officer in training; 2 more years then I would be 2nd LT. With my current mindset, I would let my captain and my peers down; I absolutely do not want that fear to come true. What I'm trying to say is that I need some advice about the Walk. Have anyone been walking the Camino back and forth? is it worth doing a round trip?
I heard so far is that the budget would be in range of 15 euros to 30 euros a day. what is the expectation during the walk? how's the walking alone like? I know there are tours for the Camino but I just want to do the walk without the tour guide.
What about the language? Spanish is not my strongest subject.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say letting your captain down? Would you be letting them down if you walked?

Some people have walked the Camino backwards. I don't think I would want to do that though. All those friendly folks you meet will be heading in another direction! If you want more walking, consider starting from further back in France, or maybe walking the Frances from St. Jean and then doing another route, the Portuguese for example.

You could do the Camino for 15 euros a day. You would have to do a little albergue shopping and stay at the cheapest places and do your own cooking. 30 euros a day and you'll live like a king!

Spanish. Let me give you a quick lesson.
Hola=Hello
Gracias=Thank you
Albergue=The place you sleep at night when you're a pilgrim
Cerveza=Beer
Derecha=Right
Izquierda=Left

There, now you know even more Spanish than I did when I went! You'll be amazed at how well you can get by with just a smile and pointing at stuff! And it helps if you can find some lovely young ladies along the way who don't mind acting as your translator!

I went over there totally alone. I met people. I walked with people. And I walked alone. Both have their good and bad points.

 

[Youren2010]

Hi, My name is Ben. I'm a college student with a budget. The first time I heard about Camino de Santiago is through the movie "The Walk" 2 years ago. I watched that movie at least 10 times and I can't get enough of it. The reason I want to walk the Camino is that I am currently running up against a gigantic wall and I'm honestly stuck. Somehow, I feel like if I do this walk, it would give me an insight of myself and giving me courage to face my problems. I'm also currently an officer in training; 2 more years then I would be 2nd LT. With my current mindset, I would let my captain and my peers down; I absolutely do not want that fear to come true. What I'm trying to say is that I need some advice about the Walk. Have anyone been walking the Camino back and forth? is it worth doing a round trip?
I heard so far is that the budget would be in range of 15 euros to 30 euros a day. what is the expectation during the walk? how's the walking alone like? I know there are tours for the Camino but I just want to do the walk without the tour guide.
What about the language? Spanish is not my strongest subject.

1. Round trio tickets from US to Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, traín or bus to Sjpp depending tour locstion. Flight/train from Santiago to Paris por any other original point. Vuelling Airline, maybe spelled wrong has inexpensive one Way ticket, justo book early. I did Paris in, Marsellés out.

2.I have met people walking back the year before when I was on the Camino, one was walking back to Italy !! But why not try a different route back? You can always train or bus back to a main city. Train and bus services in Europe are great and not expensive.

3. Muxia is my favorite. Finisterre is nice too.

4. Not much Spanish is needed, I ran into more international pilgrims in the earlier stages, last 100 km started to have more Spain group. They often come with friends and family. My Spanish is not good enough to carry long conversations, so did not mingle with their groups. My friends were all English speaking.

Buen Camino

 

[Benjamin Nguyen]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say letting your captain down? Would you be letting them down if you walked?

I want to go on training with the best mindset and give 100% what I got; not only in training, but also at school. as of right now, I can't do it. I can't tell them I'm not doing well mentally either. I have to do something about it. somehow I feel like if I do the walk this summer, I will find my way and my purpose again. I want to find myself again. and I look up to my captain. he's an airborne ranger, always motivate others and an overall outstanding soldier.

 

[Benjamin Nguyen]

1. Round trio tickets from US to Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, traín or bus to Sjpp depending tour locstion. Flight/train from Santiago to Paris por any other original point. Vuelling Airline, maybe spelled wrong has inexpensive one Way ticket, justo book early. I did Paris in, Marsellés out.

2.I have met people walking back the year before when I was on the Camino, one was walking back to Italy !! But why not try a different route back? You can always train or bus back to a main city. Train and bus services in Europe are great and not expensive.

3. Muxia is my favorite. Finisterre is nice too.

4. Not much Spanish is needed, I ran into more international pilgrims in the earlier stages, last 100 km started to have more Spain group. They often come with friends and family. My Spanish is not good enough to carry long conversations, so did not mingle with their groups. My friends were all English speaking.

Buen Camino

thanks for the idea! I will look into it!

 

[SYates]

I want to go on training with the best mindset and give 100% what I got; not only in training, but also at school. as of right now, I can't do it. I can't tell them I'm not doing well mentally either. I have to do something about it. somehow I feel like if I do the walk this summer, I will find my way and my purpose again. I want to find myself again. and I look up to my captain. he's an airborne ranger, always motivate others and an overall outstanding soldier.

Do the Camino and it just might give you a completely different / new outlook on life! Don't orientate yourself on others - find your own way, on the Camino and in life!
Buen Camino, SY

 

[Mark Lee]

Mark, what about the language? I don't speak Spanish even a little.

Not a problem. You will pick up on key words and phrases pretty quick. Buy a small and light Spanish phrase book if you think that will help. Study it and bring it with you.

 

[fiona99]

I want to go on training with the best mindset and give 100% what I got; not only in training, but also at school. as of right now, I can't do it. I can't tell them I'm not doing well mentally either. I have to do something about it. somehow I feel like if I do the walk this summer, I will find my way and my purpose again. I want to find myself again. and I look up to my captain. he's an airborne ranger, always motivate others and an overall outstanding soldier.

Benjamin, if you are feeling stressed then a good long walk will do you the power of good....and I am sure you will find yourself....good luck. ps don't be too hard on yourself....your Captains qualities have probably been developed over many years....he was green and inexperienced once too...