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Folks.... I completed the SJPDP Francés route to Santiago in Sept-Oct 2014, and it was glorious until O' Pino, when a catastrophe struck at home. I pretty much howled with maternal emotional pain all the way into Santiago and would not have bothered with it had I been able to get a train back to France and an emergency flight home in any other way.
In many respects, I still wish I had not had to endure that day in Santiago, with people twaddling on about how the Camino let them leave their problems behind.... So self absorbed in their own euphoria that they could not see that I was sitting in misery across from the people who had promised to help me find my somewhat obscure albergue "After just this little snack" (that became an enormous meal and several bottles of wine)...
I did make it to Santiago, and my "Camino family" (still dear friends) persuaded me to pick up my compostela. In the chaos that involved cancelled plans for Portugal, 2 trains, a cancelled flight, a re-arranged flight, and 2 hotels I had not planned on in the rush to leave for home 4 days early, I lost my compostela. I will be requesting a new one by mail in November when the office quiets for winter.
I'd like to go back and finish on my terms, but long term fallout at home from the catastrophe means that I cannot leave home for very long. I think 2 weeks tops... That means I have to get a flight, get to a point of departure, get to Santiago, and then get back to a transatlantic flight all inside of 10 days.
So... I'm thinking Sarria. My idea is to fly into Madrid, get the train to Sarria, walk like there's no tomorrow, arrive in Santiago, then reverse directions to get back to my flight and home.
So... Can I manage the Sarria to Santiago trip at that speed in December? Does anyone know? And if I do it when I want to do it, I will be landing in Santiago on Dec 22nd. Is that too close to the Christmas holidays to ask that things be open along the way and into the city? Advice?? What about weather? I recall snow flurries walking out of Vega de Valcarce in October one early morning...
For my last Camino, I did prepare for the walk, with regular treks over 20k at least 3 times per week, with a pack. Now I just walk 10-12 K every day. Every day. Not always with a loaded pack, but usually with a few pounds on me.
I am uncertain if this is enough to go into 25-30K per day every day for 5. Thoughts??
It is also rather sadly the case, as we know, that there are people ready to judge those who arrive in Sarria, but honestly, I've been on this Camino in a figurative way since 2014, and I've already completed the whole thing, literally. I don't want to snap at people I might meet out there, so I'll take advice from anyone who has walked from Sarria as a short trip. How do you handle the loud judges?
I want to walk into Santiago on my own terms; it does require compromise on time, and season.
In many respects, I still wish I had not had to endure that day in Santiago, with people twaddling on about how the Camino let them leave their problems behind.... So self absorbed in their own euphoria that they could not see that I was sitting in misery across from the people who had promised to help me find my somewhat obscure albergue "After just this little snack" (that became an enormous meal and several bottles of wine)...
I did make it to Santiago, and my "Camino family" (still dear friends) persuaded me to pick up my compostela. In the chaos that involved cancelled plans for Portugal, 2 trains, a cancelled flight, a re-arranged flight, and 2 hotels I had not planned on in the rush to leave for home 4 days early, I lost my compostela. I will be requesting a new one by mail in November when the office quiets for winter.
I'd like to go back and finish on my terms, but long term fallout at home from the catastrophe means that I cannot leave home for very long. I think 2 weeks tops... That means I have to get a flight, get to a point of departure, get to Santiago, and then get back to a transatlantic flight all inside of 10 days.
So... I'm thinking Sarria. My idea is to fly into Madrid, get the train to Sarria, walk like there's no tomorrow, arrive in Santiago, then reverse directions to get back to my flight and home.
So... Can I manage the Sarria to Santiago trip at that speed in December? Does anyone know? And if I do it when I want to do it, I will be landing in Santiago on Dec 22nd. Is that too close to the Christmas holidays to ask that things be open along the way and into the city? Advice?? What about weather? I recall snow flurries walking out of Vega de Valcarce in October one early morning...
For my last Camino, I did prepare for the walk, with regular treks over 20k at least 3 times per week, with a pack. Now I just walk 10-12 K every day. Every day. Not always with a loaded pack, but usually with a few pounds on me.
I am uncertain if this is enough to go into 25-30K per day every day for 5. Thoughts??
It is also rather sadly the case, as we know, that there are people ready to judge those who arrive in Sarria, but honestly, I've been on this Camino in a figurative way since 2014, and I've already completed the whole thing, literally. I don't want to snap at people I might meet out there, so I'll take advice from anyone who has walked from Sarria as a short trip. How do you handle the loud judges?
I want to walk into Santiago on my own terms; it does require compromise on time, and season.
