Hi, just finished walking the Camino from St Jean to Santiago. I thought I'd share a little bit about what I learned.
1. I got a heat rash and did not attend to it right away. Big mistake. At the first sign of chaffing, deal with it.
2. I bought an inexpensive sheet and pillowcase at an Asian store in Logroño. Best thing I bought on the Camino. I used it every night, didn't have to sleep on a bare mattress or deal with the ill-fitting temporary ones that were sometimes provided.
3. Earplugs. Get a fitted pair and accustom yourself to them before you leave. There will be snorers and lots of them.
4. I mistakenly thought that it would not be cold in July in Spain. I wore a long sleeve shirt at least half the time and only had a bag liner to sleep in (fortunately there were blankets available in many of the albergues). Next time I'll bring a heavier bag and a fleece jacket.
5. Tendinitis. I never had it before, but developed it in my right foot on arriving to León and my left foot in Ocebreiro. Other than the cream I bought from the pharmacists, I had no idea how to treat it. It almost ruined my walk and I've been told it is the number one problem pilgrims have. Have a plan to deal with it before you go.
6. Galicia is different. The entire spirit of the Camino changes upon reaching O'cebreiro. Among the many unpleasant surprises, I was shocked to be denied a drink of water (from the bathroom tap) in a private albergue/restaurant because I didn't purchase anything there. Just be aware that it become increasingly commercial as you get closer to Santiago and remember all of the kindness shown to you in the earlier days.
7. O'cebreiro. Get there before 2 pm or you have 3 options: 1) Find a place to sleep at an albergue before reaching O'cebrerio, 2) Make an advanced reservation at one of the few available rooms in the private hostals, or 3) Keep walking to the next available room (the later you are the farther you will walk). After walking the 30 km from Villafranca not too many people are up for another 5-12 km walk to find a place to stay. Alternatively there are taxis in O'cebreiro to take you to an available room.
having said that:
8. Make reservations in private hostels for your last few days in Galicia. You don't want to get caught up in the trap of running to your next stop to secure a room. There is still a lot to see in Galicia in between the major stops. (I recommend the Castle of Pambre out of Palas de Rei, but it is an additional 11 km and you won't get a sello there.)
and finally
9. Be kind. If you see someone in need of something and you have it, give it to them. You can always buy another if you need to and chances are if you haven't needed it you probably won't. And as an additional benefit, it will lighten your load.
Cheers
I could probably write a 100 page or more on my experience but we all get to live it for ourselves.
1. I got a heat rash and did not attend to it right away. Big mistake. At the first sign of chaffing, deal with it.
2. I bought an inexpensive sheet and pillowcase at an Asian store in Logroño. Best thing I bought on the Camino. I used it every night, didn't have to sleep on a bare mattress or deal with the ill-fitting temporary ones that were sometimes provided.
3. Earplugs. Get a fitted pair and accustom yourself to them before you leave. There will be snorers and lots of them.
4. I mistakenly thought that it would not be cold in July in Spain. I wore a long sleeve shirt at least half the time and only had a bag liner to sleep in (fortunately there were blankets available in many of the albergues). Next time I'll bring a heavier bag and a fleece jacket.
5. Tendinitis. I never had it before, but developed it in my right foot on arriving to León and my left foot in Ocebreiro. Other than the cream I bought from the pharmacists, I had no idea how to treat it. It almost ruined my walk and I've been told it is the number one problem pilgrims have. Have a plan to deal with it before you go.
6. Galicia is different. The entire spirit of the Camino changes upon reaching O'cebreiro. Among the many unpleasant surprises, I was shocked to be denied a drink of water (from the bathroom tap) in a private albergue/restaurant because I didn't purchase anything there. Just be aware that it become increasingly commercial as you get closer to Santiago and remember all of the kindness shown to you in the earlier days.
7. O'cebreiro. Get there before 2 pm or you have 3 options: 1) Find a place to sleep at an albergue before reaching O'cebrerio, 2) Make an advanced reservation at one of the few available rooms in the private hostals, or 3) Keep walking to the next available room (the later you are the farther you will walk). After walking the 30 km from Villafranca not too many people are up for another 5-12 km walk to find a place to stay. Alternatively there are taxis in O'cebreiro to take you to an available room.
having said that:
8. Make reservations in private hostels for your last few days in Galicia. You don't want to get caught up in the trap of running to your next stop to secure a room. There is still a lot to see in Galicia in between the major stops. (I recommend the Castle of Pambre out of Palas de Rei, but it is an additional 11 km and you won't get a sello there.)
and finally
9. Be kind. If you see someone in need of something and you have it, give it to them. You can always buy another if you need to and chances are if you haven't needed it you probably won't. And as an additional benefit, it will lighten your load.
Cheers
I could probably write a 100 page or more on my experience but we all get to live it for ourselves.
