Starting CF from Pamplona 28/08 - feeling a bit scared

[AlexandraVreme]

Hi,

I will start my Camino Frances on Monday, 28th of August, from Pamplona (finally). I am writing this because I feel so nervous that I am doing this alone. I read a lot on this forum about women walking alone, it seems to be a pretty safe walk for women. To feel better, I installed the Spanish app https://alertcops.ses.mir.es/mialertcops/info/infor/info_2_es.xhtml?faces-redirect=true
I am bringing with me a peper spray which hopefully I will never have to use, neither for dogs nor for humans and uploaded the CF track on my phone so that I don't get lost.
My plan is that in the beginning, when I leave the albergue from Pamplona, I will ask someone if I can join him/her/them a few km. I guess people are mostly waking up at the same hour and leave more or less in the same time and I could ask someone who goes in the same direction. Not sure how this would be received, but I guess I can try. At least for a few kms until I get used to the road...
Anyway, this is something which crossed my mind, I am leaving tomorrow for Madrid and I feel so so nervous about this unknown journey. It will be actually me very first trip alone.
Any advice/thoughts for a beginner?

Thanks,
Alexandra

 

[notion900]

You don't need to wait until you get up in the morning at Pamplona. When you are waiting for your bag at Madrid airport, look for likely pilgrims at the carousels and immigration queues and don't be shy to strike up a chat. Same at the airport bus station and when you are getting off the bus in Pamplona. Pilgrims are easy to spot!

The walk out of Pamplona is stunning, there is a spot at the top of the hill with the pilgrim statues where everyone takes photos. I bet you money you have new friends before the statues.

 

[Kanga]

@AlexandraVreme we were all nervous on our first camino! You will not be alone. Spending the night in a albergue in Pamplona is a good plan, because that way you will already have met a few people before you start walking. Leave in the morning with everyone else and before you know it you will be chatting and making new friends.

 

[AlexandraVreme]

You don't need to wait until you get up in the morning at Pamplona. When you are waiting for your bag at Madrid airport, look for likely pilgrims at the carousels and immigration queues and don't be shy to strike up a chat. Same at the airport bus station and when you are getting off the bus in Pamplona. Pilgrims are easy to spot!

The walk out of Pamplona is stunning, there is a spot at the top of the hill with the pilgrim statues where everyone takes photos. I bet you money you have new friends before the statues.

You don't need to wait until you get up in the morning at Pamplona. When you are waiting for your bag at Madrid airport, look for likely pilgrims at the carousels and immigration queues and don't be shy to strike up a chat. Same at the airport bus station and when you are getting off the bus in Pamplona. Pilgrims are easy to spot!

The walk out of Pamplona is stunning, there is a spot at the top of the hill with the pilgrim statues where everyone takes photos. I bet you money you have new friends before the statues.

Thank you! That's a good idea

 

[Mike Savage]

You are going to have a wonderful time Alexandra and your mind will quickly be put to ease. I hope you enjoy every step.

Safe travels and Buen Camino!

 

[AlexandraVreme]

You are going to have a wonderful time Alexandra and your mind will quickly be put to ease. I hope you enjoy every step.

Safe travels and Buen Camino!

Many thanks, Mike!

 

[Bala]

Alexandra, I would bet there will be many other pilgrims going it alone who feel exactly as you do! At this very moment they're probably checking their airline tickets, packing their packs, and feeling a very understandable attack of nerves.

They will be so glad to meet you!

And as others have already said, you will run into pilgrims quickly. I wasn't even outside the airport before I had met and talked to other pilgrims -- in English, no less. Everyone is excited about starting and meeting their fellow travelers.

Pre-trip jitters are part of the journey, but you have a great plan. You sound like you're well up to meeting the arrival challenges. Have a fabulous time!!

 

[Rick M]

You are feeling what every other first time pilgrim is feeling, its perfectly normal. What you don't know yet, is that every pilgrim out there when you leave, and there will be many this time of year, is feeling the same thing! This is the beginning of the shared experience that binds pilgrims together, and is the basis of the camaraderie that most feel with their fellow pilgrims. Sure, its a bit intimidating at first. Given this is your first time traveling alone, who wouldn't be scared? But once you get there, you will meet people who feel like you do, and all those fears will melt away as you take those first steps. Nobody walks the Camino alone unless they want to. You will quickly learn that life on the Camino is the very essence of simplicity. Walk, eat, sleep.

You're going to have a great time. Embrace it. Your fears will quickly pass. Buen Camino!

 

[Walk On]

In February of this year I began my solo Camino in Pamplona. It was an interesting starting point and the first days walk was beautiful. In a few short hours I had met four pilgrims, each began their walk alone (3 women and 1 man) and they eventually walked the whole way together. You will be fine and will meet more people than you thought possible---friendly and caring.

I hope you embrace you pre-trip jitters! Many weeks from now you will probably view your present concerns (and maybe fears) fondly and be proud that, despite having jitters, you found courage to get past them.

No great worry about dogs, either. None paid any attention to me but at the start I did feel better with a walking stick.

And......after a long travel time to get to Pamplona I was very tired and unsure I was doing the right thing. Once I ate a good evening meal and had a restful nights sleep, I was back to normal. Just try to get some rest your first night!

Best wishes to you!

 

[Colin Decker]

Hey, I'm a 59 year old man and I feel nervous about my first Camino. I start Sunday in SJPP if the heat wave will let me.

 

[AlexandraVreme]

Alexandra, I would bet there will be many other pilgrims going it alone who feel exactly as you do! At this very moment they're probably checking their airline tickets, packing their packs, and feeling a very understandable attack of nerves.

They will be so glad to meet you!

And as others have already said, you will run into pilgrims quickly. I wasn't even outside the airport before I had met and talked to other pilgrims -- in English, no less. Everyone is excited about starting and meeting their fellow travelers.

Pre-trip jitters are part of the journey, but you have a great plan. You sound like you're well up to meeting the arrival challenges. Have a fabulous time!!

Thanks a lot, Bala!

 

[AlexandraVreme]

Hey, I'm a 59 year old man and I feel nervous about my first Camino. I start Sunday in SJPP if the heat wave will let me.

Buen Camino, Colin!

 

[AlwynWellington]

I feel so nervous that I am doing this alone. I read a lot on this forum about women walking alone ...

In the months before my arrival at Le Puy in April 2016 I also was nervous. In my case, my age (I was one of the oldest I encountered in more than six weeks), I spoke only English (and in a country reputed to be hostile to English speakers, even if not from England itself) and I suffer from a version of vertigo that can be debilitating My only saving grace was I had done a lot of training (significant weight reduction and good overall fitness were wonderful byproducts).

I needn't have worried. Within an hour of starting from the Cathedral a younger man fell into step and we chatted for a short while. I regularly encountered Florian in the weeks ahead. And he was the last pilgrim I spoke with at Burgos as I left for London.

I encountered quite a number of women walking solo. On two occassions there was just me and a (different) younger woman in a French gite.

And nearly all the email addresses I accumulated were from younger women. Without exception they had started solo but hooked up with another woman from time to time.

So, kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hey, I'm a 59 year old man and I feel nervous about my first Camino. I start Sunday in SJPP if the heat wave will let me.

A heat wave in St Jean? A total change from May first this year - snow/rain/high winds/8 degrees C. Wear a broad-brimmed hat; drink lots of water. Buen Camino!

 

[nycwalking]

Alexandra follow aforementioned advice. You will be surprised at how easily friends are made.

Buen camino to you and Colin.

 

[AlexandraVreme]

In the months before my arrival at Le Puy in April 2016 I also was nervous. In my case, my age (I was one of the oldest I encountered in more than six weeks), I spoke only English (and in a country reputed to be hostile to English speakers, even if not from England itself) and I suffer from a version of vertigo that can be debilitating My only saving grace was I had done a lot of training (significant weight reduction and good overall fitness were wonderful byproducts).

I needn't have worried. Within an hour of starting from the Cathedral a younger man fell into step and we chatted for a short while. I regularly encountered Florian in the weeks ahead. And he was the last pilgrim I spoke with at Burgos as I left for London.

I encountered quite a number of women walking solo. On two occassions there was just me and a (different) younger woman in a French gite.

And nearly all the email addresses I accumulated were from younger women. Without exception they had started solo but hooked up with another woman from time to time.

So, kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

Wow, thanks for sharing!

 

[hotelmedicis]

Hi Alexandra,

I wish you wonderful experiences and friendships made along the Way. You are in for a treat and I'm looking forward to hearing more from you about your walk. You will meet so many people. It's wonderful.

Enjoy!

 

[AlexandraVreme]

Thank you so much! I am my way to Pamplona just now, met in the station some peregrinos already and we had a good talk, feeling positive

 

[Bala]

Buen Camino, Alexandra!

 

[AlexandraVreme]

Thank you all! It is reconforting to read all your posts!

 

[Annie Little]

Feel the fear and do it anyway ....
step forward and the Universe whatever you perceive it to be will meet you ...

There will be plenty of others and many will share your fear ...

Ultreia

 

[Juspassinthru]

I started my Camino on May 19th and ended in Finisterre on June 27th and I never walked alone unless I wanted to. Many great people, meet as many as you can and no matter where you are, there's usually a familiar face. When alone, be aware not scared. Buen Camino!

 

[Jline]

Hi Alexandra, hope your first day went well! During my first Camino, I always happened to meet someone when I was looking for company. I hope the same happens to you, this is the magic of the Camino, all the best!

 

[zakosdad]

You should be fine but don't be naive and put yourself in any uncomfortable situations. There will be lots of opportunities to walk with others and you don't have to ask. Buen Camino

 

[Maple Leaf Walker]

We each bring our own fears and carry them in our pack. And we each reach a point where we start resorting that pack: keeping what needs to be kept and letting go of things that are too heavy or just not needed anymore. And that's not just a metaphor.