Advice for new pilgrim needed

[Cando]

Help!

This is a pilgrimage I have been thinking about for 2 years. I decided this is the year I needed to go. I have purchased all of my supplies and have booked the plane (deposit only). However, I am starting to have doubts about whether this is the year to go. I am very new to this so I may have jumped in with out thinking it through. My concerns are that being a holy year am I going to have a place to stay every night, or is it going to be too crowded. Is it going to be too overwhelming?

Another reputable Camino site has stated that if you do not have a very serious reason to be on the trail this year don’t go. I feel that I need the spiritual enlightenment and meditation more than ever but I am not sure I am going to find it in all the chaos. Am I over reacting? Any help would be great. I am expected in SJPduP on June 28 and have about 38 days I can devote.

Thanks you all

[Rocky]

I am going for the first time this year, as well. I'll probably start walking on May 2 or 3. I also was concerned about finding a place to stay and even went so far as to consider booking all my rooms in advance. My anxiety has waned and I now believe that I'll be able to find a place to stay by changing the mileage that I'll travel every day. I am lucky, however, because I have almost 8 weeks to get from SJPP to Santiago. But, you don't have to go the whole way this year. Take smaller bites each day. Get to where you will stay earlier in the day to assure a place. But, most importantly, have the experience sooner rather than later. I believe that we will find things in our brains and hearts that may not be so easily found elsewhere. My suggestion is to go for it.
Rocky

[Sil]

Cando - I would give my eye-teeth to walk the camino this year. I walked it in the last Holy Year and it was a celebration (rather than a meditation!).
There are lots of contingency plans in place to accommodate the large numbers of pilgrims expected this year and as long as you don't mind sleeping on the floor now and then, you will always have a roof over your head.
This year there will be concerts, exhibitions, free goodies (like foot creams) handed out at albergues etc that won't be available next year. The ALSA bus company has laid on Pilgrims' Buses just for this year. Students have been employed to help pilgrims at albergues. Santiago will be crowded but great fun!
38 days is more than enough time to walk the 780kms from St Jean. I would advise that you book a bed at the albergue in St Jean (L'Esprit du Chemin) and perhaps at the albergue in Orisson www.refuge-orisson.com/ - if you plan on taking two days to get to Roncesvalles. Both will be booked up fast.
Go - walk your camino this year. Its going to be busy, busy next year too because half the world is waiting until after the Holy Year and there won't be the same infrastructure as there will be this year.
Buen camino,
Sil

[Beatrix]

Sil, you are so encouraging that I wish to go now too, this year! I heard about the additional tents and stuff, but I didn't know that there are special events also.
Do you happen to know a site which has a list or something for these events to check? Thanks

[Sil]

Hi Beatrix,
Visit the Xacobeo website at: Xacobeo 2010 and click on the third box 'Programacion' to check the programs in each box - dancing, music, contests, gastronomy, sport, movies etc.
You can also click on the month to check full events for the month.
Good for you - running the London Marathon for disabled kids. I hope you raise lots and lots of money for them. I ran the London Marathon in 1998 - it was (and still is) one of the highlights of my running years! Now I am just an 'ama-walker'!!
Big hug,
Sil

[mosesmew]

Hi, I'll be going this fall, Flying into London Gatwick,then Easyjet to Bairrtz . I am trying to figure out,once I get to Santiago, how/where do I look to return back to Major Airport? Any help is appreciated! Thanks! Nancy

[Covey]

You fly from Santiago de Compostella Airport to London Stansted (daily flight) and then back home on your return ticket from over the big pond.

[mosesmew]

Once again I Thank you! Now I will try to put all this together today! Nancy :0