createspace
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 30 to June 30, 2013
I'm 57 and traveled with my 18 year-old son. It was an experience I will never forget. What would I have left at home: sleeping mat, Steripen to disenfect water, and perhaps my sleeping bag and brought a liner instead, journal but brought paper to write on to save weight, ...
What was I so glad I brought: Second Skin, Kinesio and hyperfix tape, collapsible scissors, Croc flip flops which saw me through a few stages, Injinji socks, ear plugs, camera, bag balm, chamois towel, skirt for evening, and boy scout venture patrol pants. I lost my second pair of pants in Pamplona so walked with only one pair of pants that zipped off into shorts. The skirt and nicer top I wore every evening. Advice is to watch the weather reports before you go and not to rely on the weather other people experienced. I kept my money in my zippered pocket on my pants even while sleeping. We walked 6 to 7 hours a day never taking a cab or having our bags transported. I'm so grateful because I now know what I am capable of doing. The pilgrim meals in the evening are 8 to 10 euro a night with private albergues around 10 euro. We rarely stayed in hostels but it was a nice break on I think two occasions. The municipal in Burgos is fantastic. The municipal in Azorfra is fine and gives some privacy. We didn't have bed bug problems.The pilgrim Mass in the evenings at either 6 or 8 PM was a blessing. The sisters in Carrion I will never forget their singing and the blessing after the Mass. 90% of the people are reserving rooms ahead so be prepared to leave by 6 AM and stop by 1 if you want a room. Many people who have walked the Camino multiple times say it's changed a lot in the last two years. It's difficult to walk until you are tired and stop because people are reserving. The joy in Santiago comes in large part I think to having faced the difficulties of the trail. I'm very glad I started in St. Jean.
What was I so glad I brought: Second Skin, Kinesio and hyperfix tape, collapsible scissors, Croc flip flops which saw me through a few stages, Injinji socks, ear plugs, camera, bag balm, chamois towel, skirt for evening, and boy scout venture patrol pants. I lost my second pair of pants in Pamplona so walked with only one pair of pants that zipped off into shorts. The skirt and nicer top I wore every evening. Advice is to watch the weather reports before you go and not to rely on the weather other people experienced. I kept my money in my zippered pocket on my pants even while sleeping. We walked 6 to 7 hours a day never taking a cab or having our bags transported. I'm so grateful because I now know what I am capable of doing. The pilgrim meals in the evening are 8 to 10 euro a night with private albergues around 10 euro. We rarely stayed in hostels but it was a nice break on I think two occasions. The municipal in Burgos is fantastic. The municipal in Azorfra is fine and gives some privacy. We didn't have bed bug problems.The pilgrim Mass in the evenings at either 6 or 8 PM was a blessing. The sisters in Carrion I will never forget their singing and the blessing after the Mass. 90% of the people are reserving rooms ahead so be prepared to leave by 6 AM and stop by 1 if you want a room. Many people who have walked the Camino multiple times say it's changed a lot in the last two years. It's difficult to walk until you are tired and stop because people are reserving. The joy in Santiago comes in large part I think to having faced the difficulties of the trail. I'm very glad I started in St. Jean.
He enjoyed the walking but also the international experience. I am hoping the memories of the Camino will be something we will be able to share over a glass of wine when he's 38 and I'm 78.
