Starting in Valencia(few questions)

[Artis44]

Hi everyone!

Im a bit lost in my life. For my last money flew to Spain few days ago,but even the sunny weather doesnt make me happy..

So yesterday got idea about starting my camino- to understand myself,to cry out everything,most important to find a sense to live further..

I have read about camino already a bit, but still have few questions.

1) where do i get this pilgrim passport in Valencia? I know that on tuesday everything might be closed, so i will arrive on Monday most likely.

2) how does the stamping works. Do i need to stay overnight at some place or i can get stamp also just by passing on my way?

3) anyone knows where i could get a sleeping bag in Valencia? Im having just a backpack with clothes and bottle of water and whole trip plan to sleep outside as i wont be able to afford any pilgrim accomodation on my way.

Thank you!
Artis

 

[domigee]

Hi everyone!

Im a bit lost in my life. For my last money flew to Spain few days ago,but even the sunny weather doesnt make me happy..

So yesterday got idea about starting my camino- to understand myself,to cry out everything,most important to find a sense to live further..

I have read about camino already a bit, but still have few questions.

1) where do i get this pilgrim passport in Valencia? I know that on tuesday everything might be closed, so i will arrive on Monday most likely.

2) how does the stamping works. Do i need to stay overnight at some place or i can get stamp also just by passing on my way?

3) anyone knows where i could get a sleeping bag in Valencia? Im having just a backpack with clothes and bottle of water and whole trip plan to sleep outside as i wont be able to afford any pilgrim accomodation on my way.

Thank you!
Artis

Hi Artis and welcome! I found 2 Decathlon in/around Valencia
A
Decathlon Campanar
Mercado de Campanar
Valencia, Spain
Open ⋅ Closes 10PM
DIRECTIONS
B
Decathlon Alfafar
València, Spain
Open ⋅ Closes 10PM

Probably a good place to start to get a sleeping bag.
For the credential, try the cathedral? I only know Valencia as a tourist so not much help but others will know, I'm sure .
You get the credential stamped in albergues but also in bars, churches, show your credential and ask for 'un sello'...
And I wish you well, may the Camino help you, don't forget to let us know how you're doing.
Thinking of you.

 

[HedaP]

Welcome and wishing you all the very best, Artis. Buen camino, pilgrim.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Enjoy the camino, Artis: may it give you joy and, more important, peace.
Ask any questions you like on this forum.
Drop me an e-mail if you are desperate for funds - I may be able to help a little.
Blessings from grey, cool England ....

 

[Artis44]

Thanks guys for good wishes!
I will start on the 1st of May if everything goes as planned. First of all need to get from Xativa to Valencia somehow and get my credential and im set to go. I will try to keep everyone updated about my trip here ,however im just having single mobile phone and amount of photos/posts ofcourse will be affected by baterry Life and chances to charge it.
It is crazy idea ,but im excited to see what is waiting for me in next 1200km.

 

[Former member 60103]

True Grit !
Your adventure begins, heartfelt best wishes for your camino.
I don't know about getting a credencial but I got my first stamp in cathedral from a nun in gift shop. Look for the queue going in and turning right and instead turn left. Start from here - around the corner is another plaza with yellow arrows heading off on another camino (not sure which) but Levante heads back towards and alongside railway station.
Buen Camino.
Don.

 

[Artis44]

I got to Valencia Today ,but unfortunately most of places were closed. Went to Roman Catholic office and they said i can get my credential tomorrow around 8. So my trip will start a day earlier than planned. Meanwhile, have a Night to spend in Valencia( already 4th Time here). Inspected a route a bit and yellow arrows seems to be working fine.
But is weird walking and looking not at People ,but looking for next arrow drawn on pavement.

 

[Artis44]

Got my credential this morning. The trip starts NOW!!!

 

[Artis44]

Day 5 of my Camino has come to an end. Have walked 183km at least so far. Great weather,but Orange fields arent here anymore. Staying in Higueruela tonight.

 

[Artis44]

Day 6.

Have walked 45km from Higueruela to Albacete. Pretty much dead Told about great weather yesterday and ofcourse got cloudy sky and few raindrops today. What i dont get,how such a big city as Albacete couldnt arrange One building for pilgrims. Especially having 2 routes going through here. Sleeping under the sky today and hoping not to get rain. Tomorrow another big walk-40km to La Roda.

 

[Artis44]

This pretty much concludes the first week of my #caminodesantiago 270km walked so far. Tonights accomodation is right next to bull fighting arena in La Roda.First time me being there.

 

[SabsP]

This pretty much concludes the first week of my #caminodesantiago 270km walked so far. Tonights accomodation is right next to bull fighting arena in La Roda.First time me being there.

Are you meeting other pilgrims?

 

[Artis44]

Are you meeting other pilgrims?

Had 2 Germans at Algemesi,then 4 French People in Figuera. Tonight have other 2 germans here and one Polish lady. As my pace is quite fast(almost 40km per day) then actually no chance of meeting same pilgrims for the second time,as most keep doing 20-30 per day.

 

[Artis44]

Day 8

Almost stepped on this one... Didnt know they had any snakes.
Walking together with Polish lady today. Have stopped in Minaya now and encouroged her to do the rest until San Clemente today as well.

 

[Artis44]

Have walked 500km, 700 left to Santiago.
Really loved Toledo,amazing city.

Unfortunately lately havent been lucky with albergues. There wasnt any in Monte de Cuerva,El Toboso and Mora,even though according to some resources there should be some. The toughest was ofcourse Mora,because really pushed my limits to walk 45km from Villacanas to Mora and ended up sleeping on the street. Slept outside in Toledo as well,but that was pretty much planned. 9km left to Torrijos,staying there tonight

 

[Artis44]

Day 20 of my #caminodesantiago

It was 2 days of rain and mud, what made me walk less than planned,but anyway 700km mark has been reached at Medina del Campo!!!

Just another 500km and 17 days left to Santiago

 

[SabsP]

@Artis44 : lovely to hear from you!
Good luck and buen Camino.

 

[Artis44]

Day 21 of my #caminodesantiago

It's just another lazy Sunday

 

[peregrina2000]

Three days back from the camino and I'm just seeing this thread now. Thanks Artis for bringing us along. I walked the Levante in May 2013, I think, and it was one of my favorites. I think we managed to stay in albergues more than half the nights between Valencia and Zamora, so maybe you are skipping over them with your long days. And then there were several times when my pals went into the polideportivo and I opted for the old lady private accommodations.

But I have two questions -- who is taking the pictures of you? And how big is your pack, since you appear to have a new outfit in almost every picture!

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Artis44]

Three days back from the camino and I'm just seeing this thread now. Thanks Artis for bringing us along. I walked the Levante in May 2013, I think, and it was one of my favorites. I think we managed to stay in albergues more than half the nights between Valencia and Zamora, so maybe you are skipping over them with your long days. And then there were several times when my pals went into the polideportivo and I opted for the old lady private accommodations.

But I have two questions -- who is taking the pictures of you? And how big is your pack, since you appear to have a new outfit in almost every picture!

Buen camino, Laurie

Hi Laurie!

Well, it is not so bad. So far only 4 out of 20 nights ended up sleeping under bridge (Albacete,Mora,Toledo and Cebreros)

About pictures- well mobile phones nowadays have such a great feature AS camera timer,which you Can set UP to 10 seconds. Enough Time to try to look good

My backpack...Just to start-it has ar least 10 t-shirts in it it is about 15 kilos what im carrying. AS the idea about the trip was born in One day,i didnt really care about what im packing in. For example,i have totally nothing to save me from rain (raincoat,umbrella,waterproof jacket)

But i have managed so far anyway-backpack full of clothes and no budget.
And i will reach Santiago at my birthday,nothing will stop me from that.

 

[Artis44]

Day 21

Well,my lazy Sunday ended up with at least 35km walk. Wanted to stay in Siete de Iglesias,but they asked 3 euros for albergue.went 9km further to Castronuno,but they asked 5 euros. So this will be 5th night outside on this trip.

 

[Artis44]

As Zamora is not too far,what are your suggestions about further route? Astorga or Benavente,Orense?

I mean,landscape,albergues and so on. Where would it be better to go?

 

[Dominik]

It depends on what you're looking for. I haven't done the connection between Granja and Frances (Benavente), but I know both Frances and Sanabres (Ourense).
Surely you'll find way more pilgrims if you choose the Benavente/Frances option. There will be a lot of picturesque villages and of course the breathtaking descent to Molinaseca as well as O Cerebreiro that I like a lot. Many accommodation options and pilgrim facilities, though naturally far more comercialised.
On the other hand, Sanabres will be a lot wilder, with more difficult passages through the mountains. Less sleeping facilities, but it shouldn't be a problem if you're taking long days. And this wonderful albergue in Tabara! So personally I would choose the second option.

 

[peregrina2000]

As Zamora is not too far,what are your suggestions about further route? Astorga or Benavente,Orense?

I mean,landscape,albergues and so on. Where would it be better to go?

I do not know anyone who would recommend Astorga and the Francés over Ourense and the Sanabrés. The Astorga option leaves you with a lot of kms on the Camino Francés, which may not be what you are looking for, with its bigger numbers and many more facilities. It is beautiful though!

The Sanabrés also has beautiful countryside, though some of it has been marred by high speed rail construction recently. Fewer people, good facilities, the chance to stay at a monastery in Oseira (beautiful setting, basic facilities, maybe a damp clammy night, but oh so atmomspheric). I think that if you look at the numbers of Vdlp pilgrims, probably 90% or more take the Sanabrés option, but that may be because they all already know the Francés.

And my two questions for today -- when is your birthday? And wasn't it pretty cold sleeping outside in Cebreros? I remember that part as the most beautiful of the levante in terms of natural scenery. Buen camino, Artis, Laurie

 

[Artis44]

Day 30

It has been a month since i started in Valencia.
Well,in Zamora my phone died with all the photos,also no updates. Have gotten to Laza today. Got almost no rain the whole trip,but last 2 days were rainy. Last 6 days will be terrible-shoes are almost dead and got to stay in last 2 albergues just because someone paid 6 euros for me there.. Food is also big issue now. Somehow ,still walking happily...

 

[SabsP]

@Artis44 : great updates! So good to hear from you.

 

[Artis44]

DAY 33

When you start seeing yellow arrows not just on the road,but your beer as well...

Being in Ourense now i just dont understand how after doing 1100km ,the last 107km seems so hard...

 

[Artis44]

Day 34

And there come first tears... Not just because of that piece of paper.

 

[Artis44]

life is beautiful.sometimes.

 

[Artis44]

Day 37

The end of this increbible journey!!!
For 37 days kept my focus on one goal.Small achievment.
Now just gonna enjoy my birthday and have a lunch in 5* hotel!!!
Photo updates will follow later!
Thanks everyone for following.

 

[Dominik]

Happy birthday!!! And my congratulations!!!

 

[Artis44]

day 36 (4th of june in Puento Ulla)

Walking 10 hours in rain wasnt how i really expected perfect ending of the trip.

P.S

Thanks Garreth from Canada- 100 liter garbage bag can really save your backpack from getting wet

 

[Artis44]

 

[SabsP]

Congrats!!!!