We Made It!

[Paintboy2]

We're home now after walking up the coast of Portugal and on through Spain to Santiago. After planning for a year, undergoing physical problems prior to and along the way, we made it! This is a great place to plan your trip, but I suggest you spend more time on preparation. When your plans fall apart for whatever reason, if you're prepared, you will have no problem carrying on. Learn how to figure out where you're at. Learn how to download tomorrows route online to your smart phone. Learn how to use google translate. Learn how to listen to your body to avoid injury. Learn how to relax and enjoy what happens next that you didn't plan. Learn that the journey will happen regardless of your plans. Learn that perigrinos that you meet along the way will be your support, and you theirs. Eat the local food, especially Jamon. Thank your hosts profusely. Go to the Pilgrims Mass. Take lots of pictures and videos. Be prepared to accept a feeling of accomplishment, while at the same time feeling unbelievably grateful for what you've just experienced.
Most of all, don't quit. Slow down if you need to, or take a break for a day, but don't quit. Your injuries will heal even as you carry on. Just go slow, until you can speed up. Our first day was a killer for us, and we weren't sure we could even start day 2, but we did, and the next day, and the next day, and the next, and on and on. You can do it. The bad days are temporary. The good days will replenish you until the day that you finish your journey. Bon Camino.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

We're home now after walking up the coast of Portugal and on through Spain to Santiago. After planning for a year, undergoing physical problems prior to and along the way, we made it! This is a great place to plan your trip, but I suggest you spend more time on preparation. When your plans fall apart for whatever reason, if you're prepared, you will have no problem carrying on. Learn how to figure out where you're at. Learn how to download tomorrows route online to your smart phone. Learn how to use google translate. Learn how to listen to your body to avoid injury. Learn how to relax and enjoy what happens next that you didn't plan. Learn that the journey will happen regardless of your plans. Learn that perigrinos that you meet along the way will be your support, and you theirs. Eat the local food, especially Jamon. Thank your hosts profusely. Go to the Pilgrims Mass. Take lots of pictures and videos. Be prepared to accept a feeling of accomplishment, while at the same time feeling unbelievably grateful for what you've just experienced.
Most of all, don't quit. Slow down if you need to, or take a break for a day, but don't quit. Your injuries will heal even as you carry on. Just go slow, until you can speed up. Our first day was a killer for us, and we weren't sure we could even start day 2, but we did, and the next day, and the next day, and the next, and on and on. You can do it. The bad days are temporary. The good days will replenish you until the day that you finish your journey. Bon Camino.

Hi, congratulations with ending your journey in Santiago.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[Anamya]

Congratulations!

I totally agree with "learn to listen to your body". We do so many thing on automatic mode that we don't think "do I need to eat? do I need to rest?" - we just follow the clock and it anyway. But once you listen, you eat better, you rest better, you wear your equipment properly, you just enjoy much more.

All the best!

 

[Waka]

Congratulations. Where's the next one going to be?

 

[Bala]

Congratulations! And great words of wisdom. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[fredlarge]

We're home now after walking up the coast of Portugal and on through Spain to Santiago. After planning for a year, undergoing physical problems prior to and along the way, we made it! This is a great place to plan your trip, but I suggest you spend more time on preparation. When your plans fall apart for whatever reason, if you're prepared, you will have no problem carrying on. Learn how to figure out where you're at. Learn how to download tomorrows route online to your smart phone. Learn how to use google translate. Learn how to listen to your body to avoid injury. Learn how to relax and enjoy what happens next that you didn't plan. Learn that the journey will happen regardless of your plans. Learn that perigrinos that you meet along the way will be your support, and you theirs. Eat the local food, especially Jamon. Thank your hosts profusely. Go to the Pilgrims Mass. Take lots of pictures and videos. Be prepared to accept a feeling of accomplishment, while at the same time feeling unbelievably grateful for what you've just experienced.
Most of all, don't quit. Slow down if you need to, or take a break for a day, but don't quit. Your injuries will heal even as you carry on. Just go slow, until you can speed up. Our first day was a killer for us, and we weren't sure we could even start day 2, but we did, and the next day, and the next day, and the next, and on and on. You can do it. The bad days are temporary. The good days will replenish you until the day that you finish your journey. Bon Camino.

Beautiful advise. Well stated and a perfect testimony of your experience. FHL