The dilemma of Easter.. should I hang back??

[RoyAnderson]

I'm just wrestling with the Easter issue and would welcome people's ideas, especially you wise old hands..! I've been getting excited about setting out (for the first time) from St Jean Pied de Port on the path to Santiago; you know, getting my stuff together, doing a bit of 'training', and dreaming of the open road (or camino), and my birthday on April 17th.. I've booked my ferry ticket from Devon where I live (yes, I know I should/could be walking..) to Santander on March 28th, and would probably be setting out from SJPP on the 31st, or maybe April 1st.. straight into Easter! I like people, I want to share my journey with people.. but not hordes! I hope that I will have, at least, a little time for contemplation!! Easter in Spain sounds great.. does it?? But now I'm starting to think that perhaps I should hold back a week (the ferry only sails on sundays), leave SJPP on Apil 7th or 8th, and follow behind the madding crowds.. Please tell me what you think.. and say hello.. Roy

 

[Sagalouts]

would welcome people's ideas, especially you wise old hands.

Hello Roy
well this old hand-back-feet fellow aries says go for it,in my experiance things are never that bad once your moving,I'm facing the same -starting from Le puy on my birthday March 30th-the walk is hard enough without worrying about weekends-Sundays-Easter-May day-is it still snowing-should I be doing it in an holy year-will I find accommodation.
heck by the time you've climbed the Route Napoleon and slid down through the woods into Roncesvalles Easter will be the last thing on your mind.
Have a great Camino and Birthday Roy whenever you decide to start.
Ian

 

[Anniesantiago]

Semana Santa (Easter) week in Spain is SPECTACULAR!

Go for it!

 

[nellpilgrim]

Easter is a wonderful time to start your Camino. Last year we arrived into Pamplona on Holy Thursday and attended the solemn candlelit a cappella service in the cathedral, were treated to an unexpected sunrise serenade in Estella on Easter Saturday and arrived into Los Archos on Easter Sunday just in time to catch the end of the fantastic procession and mass.
Attending great services, sharing in the general celebrations and mingling with happy holiday hordes......what's to wrestle with?
Felices Pascuas
Nell

 

[cecelia]

Hi Roy,
I'm not an expert that's for sure but in this case - as they say - 'been there and done that'.There are really only two things to be aware of regarding Semana Santa.
One is that it may be difficult to find a hotel room if you are not on the camino and two, essentially all stores and many restaurants will be closed in some areas on some days of the holiday, so you need to be sure you are stocked up. But check with someone around you and you'll find out which daysthere are closures.
Other than that, there may be a few extra Spanish people enjoying themselves on the camino but it isn't a problem - they'll be in groups, fairly loud with lots of laughter and talking about food much of the time.
Buen camino
Cecelia