Question about Camino de Santiago

[mogannis]

My name is Jay. Planning to go maybe April 2013. I did some research online. Do you have to go with these online "adventure groups"? Or can you just book an airline ticket and start the walk in SJPP? And while you start the pilgrimage can you enter these refugios / albergue on your own, just pay the requested amount?

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Do you have to go with these online "adventure groups"? Or can you just book an airline ticket and start the walk in SJPP? And while you start the pilgrimage can you enter these refugios / albergue on your own, just pay the requested amount?

Hola. The vast majority of pilgrims simply make their way to their starting point (or start at their own home) and begin. Only a minority pay a company to assist them.

The only thing you need to use albergues is a Pilgrims Passport in Spain it is called a Credencial - these are available in the albergues and many other places. See here:

http://peregrinossantiago.es/eng/pilgri ... redencial/

 

[Pieces]

That is the brilliance of the Camino. You just show up and start walking, everyone can join....

Isnt that genoius ?

 

[jastrace]

Hi Jay, as JohnnieWalker and Pieces have said you can walk on your own, of course. However despite the fact that a minority of people get help organising their Camino or go on organised walks I think you should consider one or the other in your planning, even if you discard the idea later.

I guess it depends on your reasons for walking and what you expect to get out of the experience.

Some people take an attitude that struggling through the Camino with as few modern day conveniences as possible is closer to the historical experience and therefore a more credible/legitimate way of doing the Camino. While I understand and respect that attitude, I don't subscribe to it.

I know that I have a less positive experience when I am tired and stressed and so I do everything I can to plan ahead and remove the sources of annoyance and I embrace sources of convenience where they are available. I suspect that there are people through the ages who have also done this.

While I accept others will have a different view, for me the biggest impediments to an enjoyable Camino are:

• injuries and blisters,
  the language barrier,
  stress about finding somewhere to sleep,
  being over tired and not enjoying the experience, and therefore
  a limited ability to socialise and meet other people.

There are a number of things you can do in advance of your trip to manage these issues, such as training, breaking in boots, learning some Spanish, etc. There are a number of things I think you can do to manage these issues while on the Camino, such as: getting your heavier pack transferred each day and just carrying a light day pack instead, using walking poles, getting accommodation pre-booked, having someone that speaks English and Spanish fluently who you can call to help if you encounter a problem that you can't solve with English/limited Spanish etc.

Either getting someone who can provide these services or walking with a group can assist with overcoming these issues is definitely worth considering in my view. I certainly will be when we do our next Camino from St Jean next year.

If you have a personality that would enjoy it more if you just did it all yourself and are happy to experience the highs, lows and discomforts as they happen then perhaps just go for it.

There is no right or wrong way, just do it.

All the best with your Camino.

Jason.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I think that meeting a prearranged schedule from a tour company would be a definite negative. It would combine the worst aspects of the mental stress and the physical demands. For me, it would add additional pressure to accomplish someone else's daily distance goal, and to walk when it might not be a good idea because of my physical condition. When you hurt, you need to rest, and a tour schedule will not allow that.

Additionally, you will be paying someone else to make arrangements that do not need to be made. I think the additional cost will be at least 25% more than if you simply go, walk, and sleep where there is a bed. You may lose your entire prepayment if you do not make it to a particular accommodation. Your uneasiness will disappear after a couple of days, so trying to feel more comfortable before you leave by having a set schedule will seem quite unnecessary after a short time of walking.

I suggest that you "gut it out" and arrange only your flights and perhaps reservations in St.-Jean and Orisson. Make daily decisions about the rest of the Camino.

 

[micbook]

Hi Jay,

As others mentioned, this is one of the best things about the Camino...if you travel by yourself, you'll be able to enjoy the solitude (when desired) mixed with the great people you'll meet along the way. I think the most important thing is that it's your path so within the first few days, you'll figure out what works best for you.

I highly recommend John Brierley's guidebook. It's a great read and nice way to prepare and learn more about the incredible experience you're about to take on. Again, keeping in mind that you find your way of walking, the suggested stages are great foundation and according to what you read, you can also choose different stages and stops. Here's a link-
http://caminoguides.com/camino_frances/index.html
(also available on Amazon)

The other piece of info that I found very handy was looking at other pilgrims' packing lists. I ended up combining a couple of lists and taking what I thought was relevant for me. Here's my list-
http://michalrinkevich.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/so-you-think-you-wanna-walk-2/
(you need to scroll down to the bottom of the page)

Buen Camino!
Michal
--
http://michalrinkevich.wordpress.com/tag/camino-de-santiago/

 

[mogannis]

Thank you all for the information and links!
Hopefully more input to come.


Jay

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Jay!

I totally agree with the others. The idea of an 'adventure group' seems like a contradiction in terms. The adventure is exactly not getting off a bus each morning! You and the groups you join will share your skills and experience to get everyone to Santiago safely and happily. When you're there you'll be shocked at yourself for even considering being a tourist! :shock:

Buen Camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Twelve nights, $4,500 not including airfare, from a reputable source:

http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program/su ... 2BJB%2B137

You can do it yourself with all the frills for 50 Euro per day, private en suite accommodations (or 30 Euro per day basic accommodations).

 

[mogannis]

Hello,
Another question is how are the showers/bathrooms in the different albergues/hostels? How are they set-up? Stalls?

Jay

 

[Deleted member 3000]

how are the showers/bathrooms

All the toilets have doors, even Manjarin. Showers are a mixed bag. The newer places have separate facilities for men and women. Older places are co-ed, and some lack doors, shower curtains, and even a complete visual barrier. Privacy is generally good, but imperfect.

 

[SabsP]

Only open showers I found were at the Xunta one in O' Cebreiro but they were male / female divided.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

open showers

Melide and Arzua, too.

 

[thruhiker]

It takes a little research to get to St. Jean de Port from the airport or train station in Bayone but once you get on the Camino it is straight walking with a couple of mountain area's where you have to be careful with the weather. The guidebooks give you all the places to stay and suggested stages. For me most of the enjoyment is meeting people from all over the world and interacting with them. I don't speak too much Spanish but didn't have much trouble getting by. And most of the guided walks are the last 100k or so where for me the experience was not as favorable. Just think after walking for 5 weeks you can not even get a seat at a bar during a rain storm due to the fact that the place was crowded with people walking the last 100k.

 

[micbook]

The entire five weeks that I walked, I always had private showers. The only two exceptions were Zubiri and Hospital de la Cruz where there was still separation between men and women, but for each gender, all showers were in the same space without doors/curtains separating. I haven't stayed in particularly more expensive hostels, so I suppose it depends on the albergues you choose to stay along the way. If anyone is interested, I can make a list and post all the towns and albergues I chose for my overnight stays. I was generally very happy with the albergues.

Michal
--
http://michalrinkevich.wordpress.com/tag/camino-de-santiago/

 

[mralisn]

"I fly from California to Texas. From Texas to London Heathrow. From London Heathrow I bus to London Stansted. From London Stansted I fly to Biarritz. From Biarritz I train to SJPdP. From SJPdP I walk west for a month until I reach the sea. When I'm thirsty, I drink. When I'm hungry, I eat. When I'm dirty, I wash. When I'm tired, I rest. It's very simple."

This is my response to those who believe what I do is beyond their reach. My point being, the Camino is the easiest part. With over a year of preparation, I doubt you will need an organized group.

Whatever you choose Jay, I have no doubt you will have an incredible journey.

Trust in the arrows.

 

[mogannis]

One more question. How is the weather along the route from SJPP to Santiago in the month of March and April?

 

[tyrrek]

One more question. How is the weather along the route from SJPP to Santiago in the month of March and April?

I can only tell you what it was like this year. We had a week or so where it was bright, sunny and t-shirts and shorts. We also had a couple of weeks where it was grey, cool and windy. Not a great deal of rain during the day, but enough to merit a rain jacket/poncho etc.

In short, you have to be ready for anything and everything, but that's true most of the time anyway. It's a nice time to walk. Quieter than a month or so later, but still plenty of company if you want it. No problem getting beds in the albergues that are open.

Buen Camino!

 

[skilsaw]

for me the biggest impediments to an enjoyable Camino are:

• injuries and blisters,
  the language barrier,
  stress about finding somewhere to sleep,
  being over tired and not enjoying the experience, and therefore
  a limited ability to socialise and meet other people.

.

These are the very things that challenge me and make the Camino enjoyable !!!

Just do it! The Camino is a metaphor for life. These "impediments" make the Camino real. Yeah!

David, Victoria, Canada.