Prentiss Riddle
Aprendiz de todo, maestro de nada
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Português and/or Francés in 2023
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Sean, thanks for the input. I have posted plenty of cautions to overly optimistic American pilgrims over the past year myself. But every credible news source I've looked at recently is taking as true the government announcement that Spain will open up to vaccinated Americans on June 7. And they are already open to visitors from the EU, UK, and several other countries. I imagine there are some Spanish, German, and British pilgrims on the trail already - or are there any?Bit of patience and keep walking
maybe end of july Europe might open up
even EU green passport will be mid to end July and 4th wave and
variants rampant
i am aiming for late October and I am only 2 hour flight to Bilbao or Biarritz no pressing button for me until then
be safe
German, Swiss and French pilgrims are on the trail from SJPP onwards, according to their posts in various FB groups. Numbers are limited, not more than a few dozens a day per location/etapa.I imagine there are some Spanish, German, and British pilgrims on the trail already - or are there any?
Thank you, Huub, that's very encouraging. Buen camino!Hi guys, I am going to keep it brief I hope because I don’t want to be on the phone that much.
I started in SJPD last friday, I have no prior camino experience but there were quite a few pilgrims, mostly french and spanish.
The hostal onwer and people in the pilgrims office said that the influx of new people is growing day by day.
I am heading to Spain as soon as the gates are open! I am coming from Washington stateSean, thanks for the input. I have posted plenty of cautions to overly optimistic American pilgrims over the past year myself. But every credible news source I've looked at recently is taking as true the government announcement that Spain will open up to vaccinated Americans on June 7. And they are already open to visitors from the EU, UK, and several other countries. I imagine there are some Spanish, German, and British pilgrims on the trail already - or are there any?
(Maybe I should add that we are vaccinated. We wouldn't go anywhere, possibly not even the supermarket, if we weren't. Yes, everybody, please be safe!)
It's great to get a detailed update of what's going on. Like so many others I too hope for a speedy Spain recovery. I plan on trekking the camino from SJPP to Santiago beginning September 19, so keep the great updates coming!Hi guys, I am going to keep it brief I hope because I don’t want to be on the phone that much.
I started in SJPD last friday, I have no prior camino experience but there were quite a few pilgrims, mostly french and spanish.
The hostal onwer and people in the pilgrims office said that the influx of new people is growing day by day.
That is also the general feeling of the locals along the way. Albergues are opening up left and right and it is not hard to find sleeping places. Cafes restaurants etc are all open. Even in the small towns. And they are generally very happy to see you and ask a lot of questions.
although sadly I saw quite a few permanently closed businesses. Mostly small eating establishments.
Lots of ‘buen camino’s’ from all the locals you see and meet along the way. Although it is hard to see if they smile or not, everywhere outside and inside of places ( except when you are seated) people wear masks.
I’ve met quite a few pilgrims ( again I have no prior experience to compare it to) from all over europe.
My main group consists of italians, a czech, a chinese and a swiss. I see a couple of dozen of other people each day. From norwegians to french to serbian. From young to “old”. Old in parenthesis because they seem to be the most fit of them all haha. Pro’s, learning a lot from them.
I hope this little bit of info helps.
I am having a great time, and the mood of people around me (locals and pilgrims) is one optimism, hope and happiness. Thats my feel of things anyways.
Edit: keep in mind this is only the first couple of days. So we’ll see whats up ahead. Will post an update in a week or so again.
Is't possible to walk at the camino without The Vaccination?Hi guys, I am going to keep it brief I hope because I don’t want to be on the phone that much.
I started in SJPD last friday, I have no prior camino experience but there were quite a few pilgrims, mostly french and spanish.
The hostal onwer and people in the pilgrims office said that the influx of new people is growing day by day.
That is also the general feeling of the locals along the way. Albergues are opening up left and right and it is not hard to find sleeping places. Cafes restaurants etc are all open. Even in the small towns. And they are generally very happy to see you and ask a lot of questions.
although sadly I saw quite a few permanently closed businesses. Mostly small eating establishments.
Lots of ‘buen camino’s’ from all the locals you see and meet along the way. Although it is hard to see if they smile or not, everywhere outside and inside of places ( except when you are seated) people wear masks.
I’ve met quite a few pilgrims ( again I have no prior experience to compare it to) from all over europe.
My main group consists of italians, a czech, a chinese and a swiss. I see a couple of dozen of other people each day. From norwegians to french to serbian. From young to “old”. Old in parenthesis because they seem to be the most fit of them all haha. Pro’s, learning a lot from them.
I hope this little bit of info helps.
I am having a great time, and the mood of people around me (locals and pilgrims) is one optimism, hope and happiness. Thats my feel of things anyways.
Edit: keep in mind this is only the first couple of days. So we’ll see whats up ahead. Will post an update in a week or so again.
The week-long self-isolation requirement does not apply to EU+ visitors. That's why the Camino Frances is currently a largely European affair in the first part, as @Huub den Boer has just reported, and later on a Spanish-European affair, and not as global/international as it had become.France is currently mandating a week-long self-isolation requirement for all non-French visitors.
So public albuergues are open now? I tried to plan for starting late June.Hi guys, I am going to keep it brief I hope because I don’t want to be on the phone that much.
I started in SJPD last friday, I have no prior camino experience but there were quite a few pilgrims, mostly french and spanish.
The hostal onwer and people in the pilgrims office said that the influx of new people is growing day by day.
That is also the general feeling of the locals along the way. Albergues are opening up left and right and it is not hard to find sleeping places. Cafes restaurants etc are all open. Even in the small towns. And they are generally very happy to see you and ask a lot of questions.
although sadly I saw quite a few permanently closed businesses. Mostly small eating establishments.
Lots of ‘buen camino’s’ from all the locals you see and meet along the way. Although it is hard to see if they smile or not, everywhere outside and inside of places ( except when you are seated) people wear masks.
I’ve met quite a few pilgrims ( again I have no prior experience to compare it to) from all over europe.
My main group consists of italians, a czech, a chinese and a swiss. I see a couple of dozen of other people each day. From norwegians to french to serbian. From young to “old”. Old in parenthesis because they seem to be the most fit of them all haha. Pro’s, learning a lot from them.
I hope this little bit of info helps.
I am having a great time, and the mood of people around me (locals and pilgrims) is one optimism, hope and happiness. Thats my feel of things anyways.
Edit: keep in mind this is only the first couple of days. So we’ll see whats up ahead. Will post an update in a week or so again.
I haven't read anything to indicate that the municipal/parish/xunta albergues are open. I'd expect it to depend on the municipality or area of Spain. I assume that @Huub den Boer's general statement about albergues opening left and right, referred mainly to private albergues.So public albuergues are open now?
This post from @Tincatinker makes sense - that public albergues will start to open when the demand is too much for the private places to handle.I haven't read anything to indicate that the municipal/parish/xunta albergues are open. I'd expect it to depend on the municipality or area of Spain. I assume that @Huub den Boer's general statement about albergues opening left and right, referred mainly to private albergues.
Current inclinations seems to be that the private network, with mortgages to pay, will get first nibble at the pilgrim fruit...
Makes sense....The public albergues on the Camino Frances in Galicia are still closed. You can check it on the Xunta's website: https://alberguesxacobeo.gal/caminos/camino-frances/. The regional government wants to see private beds filled first.
I know the feeling!All is well, people are awesome. I never want to leave.
I, too, know the feeling, but first I must be able to "go".All is well, people are awesome. I never want to leave.
Huub den Boer,Hi everyone,
Yes the muncipal ones are closed.
I keep meeting more and more pilgrims, instant conections, it is quiete beautiful.
Still having no problems finding sleeping places, they are activly advertising for albergues on the route. I’ll attach a photo below of the kind of flyers I see on route.
I am at Najera atm. All is well, people are awesome. I never want to leave.
View attachment 101923
Hi Huub, so glad to hear you are having a great time!Hi everyone,
Yes the muncipal ones are closed.
I keep meeting more and more pilgrims, instant conections, it is quiete beautiful.
Still having no problems finding sleeping places, they are activly advertising for albergues on the route. I’ll attach a photo below of the kind of flyers I see on route.
I am at Najera atm. All is well, people are awesome. I never want to leave.
View attachment 101923
@Ianinam, it is great to hear that you and the other Dutch hospitaleros will return to Roncesvalles in less than three weeks. Do you know how many beds the Roncesvalles albergue can offer? 91 beds or the full set of 183 beds or so?I will be in Roncesvalles as from June 25th, we all hope we can open the albergue by that time and start doing what we missed so much: being a hospitalero ;-)
How much are you paying per night, on average?Hi everyone,
Yes the muncipal ones are closed.
I keep meeting more and more pilgrims, instant conections, it is quiete beautiful.
Still having no problems finding sleeping places, they are activly advertising for albergues on the route. I’ll attach a photo below of the kind of flyers I see on route.
I am at Najera atm. All is well, people are awesome. I never want to leave.
View attachment 101923
Kathar1na, it will only be 91 beds. The beds are placed in cubicles of four beds (one high/low left, one high/low right) and because of the distancy rules we can only use two beds per cubicle: one high, and one opposite low. Unless it is a family of four, then of course we can use all the four beds in that cubicle.@Ianinam, it is great to hear that you and the other Dutch hospitaleros will return to Roncesvalles in less than three weeks. Do you know how many beds the Roncesvalles albergue can offer? 91 beds or the full set of 183 beds or so?
Masks are only being worn inside bars and on the streets in big cities.Is wearing masks mandatory on the Camino these days?
(Since contagion probability is very low outside (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33307081), I do hope it is possible to walk outside without masks)
OK, great thank you!Masks are only being worn inside bars and on the streets in big cities.
How exciting for you that you are beginning your journey! This is so good to read.We arrived today in Pamplona, one week after Spain's reopening to vaccinated visitors from most places, including the USA. The airports at home in Texas were packed (it looked like a holiday weekend) but the Dallas > Madrid flight was far from full - we got to sit with an empty seat between us. International arrivals in Madrid were completely smooth with no wait, and the SpTH QR code worked like a charm.
Pamplona seems to have come back to life with the bars and restaurants mostly open but uncrowded. We heard a fair sprinkling of American accents but only spotted one recognizable pilgrim. Had a nice chat with the fellow at the Caminoteca store. He said that business is very slowly picking up. He noted that for whatever reason the European and now North American pilgrims are trickling in, but none from Asian countries yet - the usual Korean contingent is not coming yet. Also missing are the Australians, who are being discouraged from traveling because their country has largely been spared and their officials want to keep it that way.
We have not yet decided where to resume our slow multi-year Camino. Maybe we'll retrace our steps out of Pamplona, maybe pick up where we left off on the Meseta or maybe jump ahead in search of shade. Unfortunately it looks like stormy weather is coming. Wherever it is, I'll report back.
great news to hear things are getting back to a somewhat normal state. Fingers crossed that all will continue forward. Be safe and Buen Camino!We arrived today in Pamplona, one week after Spain's reopening to vaccinated visitors from most places, including the USA. The airports at home in Texas were packed (it looked like a holiday weekend) but the Dallas > Madrid flight was far from full - we got to sit with an empty seat between us. International arrivals in Madrid were completely smooth with no wait, and the SpTH QR code worked like a charm.
Pamplona seems to have come back to life with the bars and restaurants mostly open but uncrowded. We heard a fair sprinkling of American accents but only spotted one recognizable pilgrim. Had a nice chat with the fellow at the Caminoteca store. He said that business is very slowly picking up. He noted that for whatever reason the European and now North American pilgrims are trickling in, but none from Asian countries yet - the usual Korean contingent is not coming yet. Also missing are the Australians, who are being discouraged from traveling because their country has largely been spared and their officials want to keep it that way.
We have not yet decided where to resume our slow multi-year Camino. Maybe we'll retrace our steps out of Pamplona, maybe pick up where we left off on the Meseta or maybe jump ahead in search of shade. Unfortunately it looks like stormy weather is coming. Wherever it is, I'll report back.
I plan on mid July-mid august arrivalWe arrived today in Pamplona, one week after Spain's reopening to vaccinated visitors from most places, including the USA. The airports at home in Texas were packed (it looked like a holiday weekend) but the Dallas > Madrid flight was far from full - we got to sit with an empty seat between us. International arrivals in Madrid were completely smooth with no wait, and the SpTH QR code worked like a charm.
Pamplona seems to have come back to life with the bars and restaurants mostly open but uncrowded. We heard a fair sprinkling of American accents but only spotted one recognizable pilgrim. Had a nice chat with the fellow at the Caminoteca store. He said that business is very slowly picking up. He noted that for whatever reason the European and now North American pilgrims are trickling in, but none from Asian countries yet - the usual Korean contingent is not coming yet. Also missing are the Australians, who are being discouraged from traveling because their country has largely been spared and their officials want to keep it that way.
We have not yet decided where to resume our slow multi-year Camino. Maybe we'll retrace our steps out of Pamplona, maybe pick up where we left off on the Meseta or maybe jump ahead in search of shade. Unfortunately it looks like stormy weather is coming. Wherever it is, I'll report back.
I just searched for one night next week in Pamplona and came up with 59 properties.Are the hotels in Pamplona open? I don’t see many on booking.com
Yes. I am typing this at the Hostal Arriazu (a small hotel, not a hostel) and I booked it on Booking.Are the hotels in Pamplona open? I don’t see many on booking.com
I have stayed there many times, but am not seeing them on Booking.com. It must be too early. I'll try next month.Yes. I am typing this at the Hostal Arriazu (a small hotel, not a hostel) and I booked it on Booking.
(This is our third time at the Arriazu, by the way. Small rooms and the world's tiniest shower, but the price is good and the location one block from the main plaza can't be beat.)
Are you looking at later dates? Both on their own website and on Booking.com, you can book a room at the Hostal Arriazu in Pamplona between now and September 30.I have stayed there many times, but am not seeing them on Booking.com. It must be too early. I'll try next month.
Yes I was looking for 2022 - I'll keep checkingAre you looking at later dates? Both on their own website and on Booking.com, you can book a room at the Hostal Arriazu in Pamplona between now and September 30.
After that date, these reservation systems say "completo" or "no disponibilidad" and that until into the year 2023 but I strongly suspect that the management just hasn't feed their data into these booking systems beyond September 2021.
I can relate too! Thank you for sharing such bright news and wish everyone you see, plus yourself Buen Camino from me too. I am the same as @Camino Chrissy waiting on vaccine roll-out, border openings.Hi everyone,
Yes the muncipal ones are closed.
I keep meeting more and more pilgrims, instant conections, it is quiete beautiful.
Still having no problems finding sleeping places, they are activly advertising for albergues on the route. I’ll attach a photo below of the kind of flyers I see on route.
I am at Najera atm. All is well, people are awesome. I never want to leave.
View attachment 101923
We Australians are not being "discouraged" from traveling - we are PROHIBITED from leaving the country by our Federal Government (with some very limited exceptions, which do not include non-essential travel, eg a Camino). Last news I heard, Greg Hunt was indicating this situation is likely to continue until latter part of 2022. At least.We arrived today in Pamplona, one week after Spain's reopening to vaccinated visitors from most places, including the USA. The airports at home in Texas were packed (it looked like a holiday weekend) but the Dallas > Madrid flight was far from full - we got to sit with an empty seat between us. International arrivals in Madrid were completely smooth with no wait, and the SpTH QR code worked like a charm.
Pamplona seems to have come back to life with the bars and restaurants mostly open but uncrowded. We heard a fair sprinkling of American accents but only spotted one recognizable pilgrim. Had a nice chat with the fellow at the Caminoteca store. He said that business is very slowly picking up. He noted that for whatever reason the European and now North American pilgrims are trickling in, but none from Asian countries yet - the usual Korean contingent is not coming yet. Also missing are the Australians, who are being discouraged from traveling because their country has largely been spared and their officials want to keep it that way.
We have not yet decided where to resume our slow multi-year Camino. Maybe we'll retrace our steps out of Pamplona, maybe pick up where we left off on the Meseta or maybe jump ahead in search of shade. Unfortunately it looks like stormy weather is coming. Wherever it is, I'll report back.
I've stopped there a couple of times. Yes, it would be nice to have one of those larger pieces in my home!In Ayegui, the charming metal gate I had noticed in years past now turns out to have a whole fascinating workshop of hand-forged metal art behind it (you can see it at laforjadeayegui.com).
I don't remember a vending machine for wine glasses. When I've been there people have used water bottles or their shells to drink from.Another hundred yards up the trail, miracle of miracles, the Irache wine fountain was flowing! The vending machine for wine glasses is gone, so be sure to bring your own.
This is so sad to hear! You are only one week in and the foot injury is ending your Camino so soon...so sad and you had traveled all the way from Texas. Are you sure a few days rest won't help? Will you change your flights or hang out in Spain a few more weeks relaxing? You have probably waited over a year since covid began to go and I am so disappointed for you.It seems likely that the foot injury has put an end to our mini-camino this year.
I don't recall the vending machine here in 2015 or 2017...maybe I didn't look closely.I don't remember a vending machine for wine glasses. When I've been there people have used water bottles or their shells to drink from.
I didn’t see one in 2017 either. I do remember the place right before it that sold hand crafted iron goods - I have a scallop shell necklace I bought there I wear to this day!I don't recall the vending machine here in 2015 or 2017...maybe I didn't look closely.
That is very kind of you, Chrissy. We only had a short time available anyway so the injury cost us a few days walking, not a full camino. We will get to Santiago after retirement and until then we are doing bits and pieces. This year we started over in Pamplona because there were no trains available to where we left off last time. So we got to see some of our favorite places again.This is so sad to hear! You are only one week in and the foot injury is ending your Camino so soon...
Nice to hear that you didn't have to shorten a five or six week trip down to just one. You have a great attitude and are enjoying a few favorite places and have turned a lemon into lemonade.That is very kind of you, Chrissy. We only had a short time available anyway so the injury cost us a few days walking, not a full camino. We will get to Santiago after retirement and until then we are doing bits and pieces. This year we started over in Pamplona because there were no trains available to where we left off last time. So we got to see some of our favorite places again.
Thank you for your updates: I have read them with interest. It sounds promising for this autumn.That is very kind of you, Chrissy. We only had a short time available anyway so the injury cost us a few days walking, not a full camino. We will get to Santiago after retirement and until then we are doing bits and pieces. This year we started over in Pamplona because there were no trains available to where we left off last time. So we got to see some of our favorite places again.
Most municipal albergues closed in big and small townsThe forums are abuzz with people making plans, but I don't see much news live from the Camino. Are there any pilgrims yet? Open albergues? Are things completely shut in the small towns, or can you still count on finding a slice of tortilla and something to drink when you walk into a village?
We have our fingers hovering over the "book now" button and wonder what we'll find if we go!
Hi, I am an English pilgrim on the Frances who started in Pamplona on 14 June.The forums are abuzz with people making plans, but I don't see much news live from the Camino. Are there any pilgrims yet? Open albergues? Are things completely shut in the small towns, or can you still count on finding a slice of tortilla and something to drink when you walk into a village?
We have our fingers hovering over the "book now" button and wonder what we'll find if we go!
You say you were in Hornillos...did you have a problem getting a bed there? Did you book ahead of time?Hi, I am an English pilgrim on the Frances who started in Pamplona on 14 June.
I am currently in hornillos del Camino and having a fabulous time.
Many shops and cafe not open so take food on stages just in case. There are plenty pilgrims walking from every country.
Albergue are not a problem. My Camino family are having no problems finding beds at all.
Wear a mask in villages, towns and inside, otherwise not needed.
It is quiet, and very beautiful.
I had no problems flying into Spain, not sure about flying back though!
Hope this helps.
No problems getting albergue anywhere so far. I stayed at meeting point and did not reserve. There were only 5 pilgrims there last night.You say you were in Hornillos...did you have a problem getting a bed there? Did you book ahead of time?
Thanks!
I hope your journey continues to be as wonderful as you make it sound in your post!
Thanks for such rational opinions. I have always believed that important decisions must be taken without fear, and if I am afraid ... either I rationalize it and eliminate it, or I wait to decide at another time, when I can decide freely. Fear is, in itself, one of the greatest determinants of lack of freedom. And there is too much fear in the world, and too little real life ...I walked last August/September and although numbers were down by over 90% on previous Camino's, the experience was quite wonderful and extraordinary. Locals were welcoming and super-friendly, especially those Albergue owners who remained open sometimes with no guests at all. Many times I was the only one. An early meeting with a young Spanish guy walking to honour his grandparents who had both died in the pandemic dispelled any worries/fears I might have had that I was doing the 'wrong' thing.
I mention this because there are still those who believe that walking this year would be irresponsible. I disagree. Yes, there will always be the slight risk that even vaccinated pilgrims can vector the virus from one location to another.....the key word there is 'always'. Covid will remain part of all our lives for years to come; as they say, 'no-one is safe until everyone is safe' and the plain truth is that such an ideal may never come to pass. Meanwhile life must go on. The small trickle of pilgrims now will slowly develop into a stream and eventually a flood as more and more people take the plunge, hit the 'book now' button and just go. I'd be leaving again soon were it not for one major problem.
France is currently mandating a week-long self-isolation requirement for all non-French visitors.
And since I prefer to start my CF in SJPDP by flying first into Biarritz, I would need to quarantine somewhere for 7 days.
That situation will, hopefully, change within the next couple months or so.
Meanwhile I shall remain patient, August-September is a fabulous time of the year to walk - last year, my fifth CF, it didn't rain once in the entire trip.....not even in Galicia !!!
So for those thinking of starting in Pamplona or elsewhere in Spain my advice would be DO IT before that stream turns into a full-blooded deluge.
BC. Mike
Hi Prentiss!, this is Juanma, from Casa Maralotx. Hope you and Susan are fine and, I guess, already back home and safe! Thanks for your kind words about Maralotx, I appreciate! And since you mentioned about breakfast, just letting everyone know that we have actually just recently started offering a take-away breakfast bag.Live from the Camino Francés, Friday June 18:
...As was normal in pre-COVID years the only breakfast available in Cirauqui was coffee from the coin-operated machine in the albergue, so we did the Roman road out of town on an empty stomach.
...
Hi Juanma,this is Juanma, from Casa Maralotx.
Hi there! Yes, Cirauqui has quite a beautiful, picturesque appeal, doesn't it?Hi Juanma,
I notice your albergue is in Cirauqui. It was the first picturesque hilltop village I saw on my Camino Frances and I was so excited to see it appear in the distance!
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