- Time of past OR future Camino
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I may just do that, thanks!From Barcelona you only need to go as far as Jaca. Walk the Aragonese. Ease yourself into the Camino Frances scene that way. It is a beautiful, neglected route, it needs some love!
Rebekah, you have been on my list all the time. Prepare some work for me, and I will spend some days. You deserve it.See you this summer, maybe?
I do not have a return ticket. I finish when I am finished... Freedom indeed. Sometimes, we really need a timeout, and reflect upon what we are doing (or not). The Camino is such a rare occacion.Use it wisely.It was the closest thing to freedom.
I love you too: I wish we could share a meal and conversation!This is one of the best threads I've seen in months. I admire how much you "don't know." Thank you for the honesty.
Fully excited for you.
¡Salud peregrino!
I may just do that, thanks!
Rebekah, you have been on my list all the time. Prepare some work for me, and I will spend some days. You deserve it.
BTW: Enjoyed your book.
Ahhh: There is ONE thing I shall avoid this year: Speed. You will meet a slow peregrino, spending his days smelling the grass, looking at the scenery, and thinking a lotMost of you will catch up with me, and I shall enjoy our conversation and cooking together!
In Sahagun, in 2009, I bought a beautilful small silver cross piece with chain that I wore around my neck for the whole journey. I wore it also on my two etapas on the Via de la Plata. A symbol of my walks, thoughts, wants, and needs. I just put it on again tonight, and I am VERY ready now... It will now stay on me until I am back from the Camino again (at least).
I am approaching my camino in the same way. I need to experience pure freedom without an expectation of when to come home.I do not have a return ticket. I finish when I am finished... Freedom indeed. Sometimes, we really need a timeout, and reflect upon what we are doing (or not). The Camino is such a rare occacion.Use it wisely.
So what do I need to do now? Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport. I have no clue but it will sort out, I think. Then into the city next morning. Or maybe a room inside the city, late arrival. Maybe stay there for a day, or preferably just take the bus to Pamplona (5 hours), and coordinate the rest from there. I don't know.
I shall avoid this year: Speed. You will meet a slow peregrino, spending his days smelling the grass, looking at the scenery, and thinking a lotMost of you will catch up with me, and I shall enjoy our conversation and cooking together!
This is one of the best threads I've seen in months. I admire how much you "don't know." Thank you for the honesty.
Perhaps the hard part is over.
Fully excited for you.
¡Salud peregrino!
I do not have a return ticket. I finish when I am finished... Freedom indeed.
Flott! Hope you let me know once you reach Santiago.. lunch on me! God tur..So, then it's done: I just ordered a flight ticket for April 23 to Barcelona. I do not want to sit here anymore procastinating: I am GOING. I have no further plans: I do not know where I shall start, other than that I hope I can get to SJpdP: It seems sort of right. But if it is Pamplona/Roncesvalles, I can live with that too.
I simply wanted to force myself to set a start date, and so I have done right now. The beauty of not planning too much, but simply just do it, go, and see where it will lead you, appeals to me.
So what do I need to do now? Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport. I have no clue but it will sort out, I think. Then into the city next morning. Or maybe a room inside the city, late arrival. Maybe stay there for a day, or preferably just take the bus to Pamplona (5 hours), and coordinate the rest from there. I don't know.
So, it seems I will start from SJpdP on April 26 or 27, or Pamplona 25th. I really don't know or care: come what may.
I like the feeling of doing something not planned/calculated: I will go with the flow. Need to get out my backpack and sew on the badges that Ivar sent to me, so you'll recognize me as a forum guyNow it's for real and impossible to change. Thank God.
I thought you bought ALL peregrinos a lunch when we got to Santiago, IvarFlott! Hope you let me know once you reach Santiago.. lunch on me! God tur..
Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport.
Alex-- right outside the airport (BCN) baggage terminal you will see a huge Blue Bus that for 5 Euros takes people to Plaza Cataluña-- sort of the heart of Barcelona. Buen Camino!!
Trekking poles. I leave in three weeks to start my Camino from Leon. I am wanting to carry on my pack for all flights from the US with my poles in my pack. Will this be a problem for security? I leave from Denver.
Rebekah, I finally figured out where your place is on the CF. Are you right on the path? Can I stop by just to say hi or stay over without prearrangement. I will start in SJPP May 18th. Can't guess when I would get to your place yet ; 0From Barcelona you only need to go as far as Jaca. Walk the Aragonese. Ease yourself into the Camino Frances scene that way. It is a beautiful, neglected route, it needs some love!
Congratulations on taking the first step, making that big commitment.
See you this summer, maybe?
Sounds like a good plan, Alex! Buen Camino!Thank you for kind tips: Here is what I'll do: I'll find a hotel very close to the airport. I do not want to stand in a plaza in downtown Barcelona alone at 23.00I know Barcelona. In the morning I'll catch a bus to SANTS and get a bus/train to Pamplona (ca. 5 hours nice bus ride). In Pamplona, I'll decide whether I start from there (did it my first Camino) or go to SJpdP. The Way shall materialize for me while I live it!
Please note that you will be in Barcelona during La Feria del Libro y de la Rosa wich is actually the Festivities of St. Jordi, Patron Saint of Barcelona. HUGE weekend which unfortunately translates to crowds and higher cost accomodations.
I am sure you did your best to fight them off, right?Last time I attended a Feria was in Seville 3 years ago. I became invited to one of the private party tents (another story) and the women in their beautiful flamenco dresses were overjoyed by having a Norw. Viking at their disposal. Boy, they were beautiful! (The women). I now know how to do the flamenco (sort of...), after having been used as their dancing pole for hours... Will try to avoid the Feria in Barcelona: Might not get away from the women this time... I am a peregrino, for Gods sake, and must find the right Way!
Thank you for kind tips: Here is what I'll do: I'll find a hotel very close to the airport. I do not want to stand in a plaza in downtown Barcelona alone at 23.00I know Barcelona. In the morning I'll catch a bus to SANTS and get a bus/train to Pamplona (ca. 5 hours nice bus ride). In Pamplona, I'll decide whether I start from there (did it my first Camino) or go to SJpdP. The Way shall materialize for me while I live it!
But of course! I have failed a couple of times and it has cost me dearly, but no more...I am sure you did your best to fight them off, right?LOL!
I do not have a return ticket. I finish when I am finished... Freedom indeed. Sometimes, we really need a timeout, and reflect upon what we are doing (or not). The Camino is such a rare occacion.Use it wisely.
Wish warmly received, peregrino friend.Please let us know how your voyage goes. God be with you.
Your kind words are most welcome, peregrino friend!Have a wonderful adventure good friends alexwalker wayfarer t2andreo and ilovelife may God bless you all with new insights on your journeys.
Buen Camino to you all
So, then it's done: I just ordered a flight ticket for April 23 to Barcelona. I do not want to sit here anymore procrastinating: I am GOING. I have no further plans: I do not know where I shall start, other than that I hope I can get to SJpdP: It seems sort of right. But if it is Pamplona/Roncesvalles, I can live with that too.
I simply wanted to force myself to set a start date, and so I have done right now. The beauty of not planning too much, but simply just do it, go, and see where it will lead you, appeals to me.............................
I like the feeling of doing something not planned/calculated: I will go with the flow. Need to get out my backpack and sew on the badges that Ivar sent to me, so you'll recognize me as a forum guyNow it's for real and impossible to change. Thank God.
Very. Very appropriate, John (name of my only son, actually...). Fantastic words by Goethe. Hope this encouraces others. Everything is starting to fall into place for me now, in some strange ways. Put away your fears.I hope this is appropriate Alex
I have PM'ed you as I have special relations to El Paso! My son John was an exchange student there for a year and I have been there myself!Alex, Your plans are almost the same as mine. I'm from El Paso, Texas and speak spanish if you need any translating)
Have fun!!So, then it's done: I just ordered a flight ticket for April 23 to Barcelona. I do not want to sit here anymore procrastinating: I am GOING. I have no further plans: I do not know where I shall start, other than that I hope I can get to SJpdP: It seems sort of right. But if it is Pamplona/Roncesvalles, I can live with that too.
I simply wanted to force myself to set a start date, and so I have done right now. The beauty of not planning too much, but simply just do it, go, and see where it will lead you, appeals to me.
So what do I need to do now? Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport. I have no clue but it will sort out, I think. Then into the city next morning. Or maybe a room inside the city, late arrival. Maybe stay there for a day, or preferably just take the bus to Pamplona (5 hours), and coordinate the rest from there. I don't know.
So, it seems I will start from SJpdP on April 26 or 27, or Pamplona 25th. I really don't know or care: come what may.
I like the feeling of doing something not planned/calculated: I will go with the flow. Need to get out my backpack and sew on the badges that Ivar sent to me, so you'll recognize me as a forum guyNow it's for real and impossible to change. Thank God.
OK: You twisted my arm really hard there: CUAlex, stop by. We have beer.
Buen Camino to all! Especially to Alex and all the rest who will be starting mid- to late- April from SJPP. I hope to meet each one of you at some point - I start from SJPP on 16 April - but this time will go via Valcarlos - my knees just wouldn't take the descent from the Col de Lepoeder again! But then, I had perfect weather and views when I did it last Sept! I will also be going slowly so watch for the 69 yo woman with short, white hair and red pack with Forum and American Pilgrim badges.
¡ Ultreia !
Terry
Terry - Coming down from the Col de Lepoeder, did you take the direct route through the woods or the slightly longer paved road route?
I took the windy road last year and did not have problems - other than slowing my descent - gravity being what it is some of my bits were trying to outdo all the other connected bits to see who could get to the bottom first.
I have not taken the direct - wooded path due to snow last year. I heard from others that the direct route was slick and somewhat treacherous in places, again due to ice, snow and mud. The road route avoids all that unpleasantness. There is no traffic and the view is, of course, fabulous.
So, then it's done: I just ordered a flight ticket for April 23 to Barcelona. I do not want to sit here anymore procrastinating: I am GOING. I have no further plans: I do not know where I shall start, other than that I hope I can get to SJpdP: It seems sort of right. But if it is Pamplona/Roncesvalles, I can live with that too.
I simply wanted to force myself to set a start date, and so I have done right now. The beauty of not planning too much, but simply just do it, go, and see where it will lead you, appeals to me.
So what do I need to do now? Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport. I have no clue but it will sort out, I think. Then into the city next morning. Or maybe a room inside the city, late arrival. Maybe stay there for a day, or preferably just take the bus to Pamplona (5 hours), and coordinate the rest from there. I don't know.
So, it seems I will start from SJpdP on April 26 or 27, or Pamplona 25th. I really don't know or care: come what may.
I like the feeling of doing something not planned/calculated: I will go with the flow. Need to get out my backpack and sew on the badges that Ivar sent to me, so you'll recognize me as a forum guyNow it's for real and impossible to change. Thank God.
UPDATE:
Less than 48 hours after I booked my flight ticket and nothing else, I have done some preparations: I didn't know where to start from but now it seems it will be SJPdP. I want to do that, for some reason. But if I can't fix it, it will be Pamplona. Or Roncesvalles. Or...? I will be freaking 60 years old when I start. Strange thought. But then again, I feel like a 21 years old in a 60-ish holster
So here's what I've done and will do: Checked out hotels near the airport: There are a bunch with various prices. Will prebook a cheap one, get a taxi there and sleep. Next morning; a bus/taxi to the railway station. There are actually 6 trains/day leaving Barcelona for Irun, with a stop in Pamplona. I am sure at least as many for those flying in to Madrid.
https://venta.renfe.com/vol/buscarTren.do
The 11.00 train seems the best. 65-70 Euros. But I'll take what's available. Then I will be picked up by a shuttle service and brought to Albergue Corazon Puro (I really love that name: Pure Heart), a bit north of Pamplona, for a bed and dinner. Next morning, use their shuttle service to SJPdP. Total for bed/dinner/transport: 43 Euros. Not bad at all. I have sent an email about reservation, but not yet received an answer. But I am sure it will sort out. If not, a Night in Pamplona, and an ordinary bus next day.
http://www.corazonpuro.es/Enghome.html
I have sent an email about reservation, but not yet received an answer. But I am sure it will sort out. If not, a night in Pamplona, and an ordinary bus next day:
http://www.caminoteca.com/index.php...to-saint-jean-pied-de-port-from-pamplona.html
It doesn't matter if they have a different schedule than the above link: I'm buying the ticket the afternoon the day before, anyway, if needed.
No problem.
Transport issues solved. Arriving very early in SJpDP, can pick up a credential, and simply start walking on the 25th April. Or arriving late, and stay a day/night. I think I'll do that anyway: No need to rush. Better enjoy the town. Then out for the long walk on the 26th. Will stop in Orrison if there are beds. If not, simply walk on. And now the walk is really on: No need for any more plans/worries.
And I suspect forum member t2andreo will catch up with me; he's starting one day behind., but I'm going slow, especially in the beginning. Oh, no: all the way, come to think of it
Not bad, if I may say so: The arrival in SJPdP on the 25th April is secured, with alternatives.
I needed this little bit of planning in order to secure a starting point. Now I have several, with backups.
They do answer thoroughly, and seem like very nice and trusty people!Hi Alex, after reading your blog, I booked my train from Barcelona Sants to Pamplona and sent email to Corazon asking for bed & transport on Saturday 11 May. Should be interesting to see if they have anything for me.Helen
Last time I attended a Feria was in Seville 3 years ago. I became invited to one of the private party tents (another story) and the women in their beautiful flamenco dresses were overjoyed by having a Norw. Viking at their disposal. Boy, they were beautiful! (The women). I now know how to do the flamenco (sort of...), after having been used as their dancing pole for hours... Will try to avoid the Feria in Barcelona: Might not get away from the women this time... I am a peregrino, for Gods sake, and must find the right Way!
Oh, I behaved very properly, I can assure you, Tom! It was the women that were demanding...Remember...what happens on Camino...stays on Camino...
Very. Very appropriate, John (name of my only son, actually...). Fantastic words by Goethe. Hope this encouraces others. Everything is starting to fall into place for me now, in some strange ways. Put away your fears.
Remember one important thing: If you do what you have always done, you will receive what you have always received. Make a new start for yourself: You deserve it. Don't sit home and watch TV: Go out of your comfort zone, and things will happen. Think about your life: If it is good, continue watching TV. If you think you can do better, walk. You will discover many new things.
The Camino has started to work for you...Divine intervention i think.
I am impressed with your sewing, Alex. I gave up on the sewing of badges and used contact cement.
Oh, I behaved very properly, I can assure you, Tom! It was the women that were demanding...
On another matter: As so many others, I am of course daily looking after my backpack, pack list, etc: After all, it's only 5 weeks to liftoff...
Have spent the day going to a broidery shop, (the elderly woman in the shop was very confused/uplifted by having the rare visit of a man in the shop, and was quite exited, helping me a lot) buying some great clips, straps, string, needles, etc. for repair and extensions of features on my backpack, and sewing them together, as well as sewing forum badge and national flag on my backpack.
It went quite well in the end, after I first sewed on the flag errroniously with stitches through both layers of my backpack, thereby effectively closing the pocket on the top of my backpack, and had to rip it off and do it again: I have now wiped up the blood that dripped from my fingers/hands due to (many) failing stitches and am now quite comfortable, sitting with a cold beer (imagining a small bar on the Camino) and admiring my own handicraft...
Wow this is so so appropriate. Tonight i have sat on the laptop trying to work out flights and times to get myself to Pamplona. I got so stressed out that i turned the laptop off and told my husband, im not going, if i cant even find my way from an airport to a train station then how the heck can i find "my way" and went to bed. Woken up for a drink and as usual have a quick read on my fone and there is the posts above telling me i can do this and i will do this. Divine intervention i think.
I am impressed with your sewing, Alex. I gave up on the sewing of badges and used contact cement.
Looks fine now but not sure they have staying power. I might end up with a big safety pin smack in the middle.
Hi Tom ~ Sending your bag via Caroline to Santiago is a very good deal! I did it last year when I was to go on to Portugal after my Camino to work with Global Village / Habitat for Humanity -- needed different clothing altogether. Easy pick up when I got to Santiago.Now, I am sorting how to transport the extra stuff I will need for my two weeks volunteer service at Santiago de Compostela. I start on 2 June. After that, I am flying up to Belgium for a week to visit friends before returning to the US. I think I will use Caroline's Express Bourricot service from St. Jean to move my one, small rolling suitcase.
So, then it's done: I just ordered a flight ticket for April 23 to Barcelona. I do not want to sit here anymore procrastinating: I am GOING. I have no further plans: I do not know where I shall start, other than that I hope I can get to SJpdP: It seems sort of right. But if it is Pamplona/Roncesvalles, I can live with that too.
I simply wanted to force myself to set a start date, and so I have done right now. The beauty of not planning too much, but simply just do it, go, and see where it will lead you, appeals to me.
So what do I need to do now? Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport. I have no clue but it will sort out, I think. Then into the city next morning. Or maybe a room inside the city, late arrival. Maybe stay there for a day, or preferably just take the bus to Pamplona (5 hours), and coordinate the rest from there. I don't know.
So, it seems I will start from SJpdP on April 26 or 27, or Pamplona 25th. I really don't know or care: come what may.
I like the feeling of doing something not planned/calculated: I will go with the flow. Need to get out my backpack and sew on the badges that Ivar sent to me, so you'll recognize me as a forum guyNow it's for real and impossible to change. Thank God.
I've done the same thing, Alex--bought a one-way ticket (though a bit amusing: Pittsburgh, Boston, Iceland, Paris, SJPdP in September). I have the time, so I'm taking my time. There are a few places I want to stay (Granon, Guacelmo) but I'm prepared to take the camino as it unfolds in front of me.So, then it's done: I just ordered a flight ticket for April 23 to Barcelona. I do not want to sit here anymore procrastinating: I am GOING. I have no further plans: I do not know where I shall start, other than that I hope I can get to SJpdP: It seems sort of right. But if it is Pamplona/Roncesvalles, I can live with that too.
I simply wanted to force myself to set a start date, and so I have done right now. The beauty of not planning too much, but simply just do it, go, and see where it will lead you, appeals to me.
So what do I need to do now? Well, I arrrive in Barcelona late evening, so better get a hotel room near the airport. I have no clue but it will sort out, I think. Then into the city next morning. Or maybe a room inside the city, late arrival. Maybe stay there for a day, or preferably just take the bus to Pamplona (5 hours), and coordinate the rest from there. I don't know.
So, it seems I will start from SJpdP on April 26 or 27, or Pamplona 25th. I really don't know or care: come what may.
I like the feeling of doing something not planned/calculated: I will go with the flow. Need to get out my backpack and sew on the badges that Ivar sent to me, so you'll recognize me as a forum guyNow it's for real and impossible to change. Thank God.
Perfect! (and welcome to the forum!)I'm prepared to take the camino as it unfolds in front of me.
Replying to my own post above -- Alas, I will need to reschedule my walk until fall this year - re-called to work for three months. Not so bad -- those earnings just might pay for my THIRD Camino at some point - maybe next Spring!Buen Camino to all! Especially to Alex and all the rest who will be starting mid- to late- April from SJPP. I hope to meet each one of you at some point - I start from SJPP on 16 April - but this time will go via Valcarlos - my knees just wouldn't take the descent from the Col de Lepoeder again! But then, I had perfect weather and views when I did it last Sept! I will also be going slowly so watch for the 69 yo woman with short, white hair and red pack with Forum and American Pilgrim badges.
¡ Ultreia !
Terry
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