GO FOR IT! You KNOW you deserve it. In 2013, my 60th birthday happened to coincide with a Friday pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral where the Botafumeiro was used. I thought it was nice that they went to all that trouble and expense for me!
There is nothing along the
Camino Frances that cannot be managed or dealt with easily. There will be other pilgrims around for you to rely on. The "creep quotient" is extremely low to non-existent. Most if not all pilgrims are simply doing what you are doing.
This said, and at the risk of being censored, I would like to touch on a rarely discussed issue. You should be aware that with the Spanish economy in the dumpster these past several years, there is a very small number, not a lot, of folks who are on a more or less continuous Camino. They wander along the Camino in both directions, obtaining shelter and food at donativo albergues, and a VERY VERY SMALL number will resort to petty property crimes or friendly scams to obtain cash, if the opportunity presents.
These are not violent crimes. The Camino is far more safe than walking the streets at night wherever you live. Typically, stuff goes "walkabout" in an albergue and cannot be found. Most of the time, the item turns up. But sometimes, someone who felt they needed it more may have taken it. That's life...
Lesson: Only take the minimum of valuable documents, jewelry, and electronics with you. Before you leave home, STRIP YOUR WALLET to remove anything you will not absolutely need. This reduces weight and the need to replace stuff if your wallet gets lost or otherwise goes missing. Basically, you need cards to: get cash (debit), buy stuff (credit), government-issued photo ID (driver license or national ID card), get health care (insurance card), and explain special health issues (diabetes, heart condition, allergies, bariatric surgery ID cards, etc.). These cards, plus a passport are all you need. Leave library cards, shopping club cards, family photos, spare house keys, etc. at home.
Be sure to keep your valuables with you at ALL times, including when in the shower (Ziploc) bags work great for this. Wear a money-belt or keep the valuables, including electronics, on your person even when sleeping. I sometimes wear the tops of my cargo pants in the sleeping bag, with the pockets filled. Other people have stated the exact same advice all over this forum. But it seems to fit here so I am mentioning it redundantly. Sorry, if you saw it already...
THIS IS NOT intended to be an criticism or indictment of the Camino or of these people. They are simply doing what they must to get by during very difficult financial times in their countries. In similar circumstances I would likely do something similar. "Judge not, lest ye be judged..." also one of the informal Camino Rules...
The Camino, especially the Frances IS a relatively inexpensive vacation for many people and about half of all pilgrims along this route are Spanish. Those are facts. While this is not necessarily a good motivation for doing the Camino, it does remain an option for some down and out folks. All things considered, the Camino, writ large, is also extremely safe, even for women traveling solo.
My point in raising this issue is two-fold: (1) others seldom raise the issue, and it needs to be out there IMHO; and (2) all pilgrims must retain at least some of the "street smarts" they held in the "real world." 99.9 percent of all pilgrims and persons you encounter on the Camino will be sincere, generous, helpful people, committed to doing their pilgrimage to Santiago. This is particularly true when you walk into large towns and cities (e.g. Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Santiago, etc.). You just need to keep your "BS Meter" turned on, but turned to low and on the back burner, as you walk your Camino.
As you start out, you will meet many good people and will quickly form an ad hoc "Camino Family" for the duration of your pilgrimage. These people will be your first resource for any problem or challenge you encounter along the way. The language barrier usually gets overcome by a pidgin variety of English, French, Spanish and whatever else the group happens to bring to the table.
Spanish is the most spoken primary language, followed by English as a first or second language. First languages heard most often are: French, Italian, Portuguese, German, and a variety of Eastern and Northern European languages. However, you will also meet and speak with a significant number of folks from South Korea. As a general statement, most people have some English. Still, it is good to try to learn at least some Spanish before you go. It is simply the polite thing to do.
Along the Camino, everyone helps everyone else. Really, you have to experience it to believe it. In fact, once your Camino ends at Santiago or Finisterre, it is these people you will shed tears with, and for, as your experience comes to a close.
I hope this adds value to the dialog and helps someone.
