last minute plan to walk some of the Camino Frances around Easter

[valzen]

Hello

I would like to walk some of the Camino Frances around Eastertime probably for about a week or 10 days.

Is there any forum for meeting up with people who might like to do the same?

Is it really OK to go it alone?

I was also wondering about the weather mid April. Walking alone may not be the end of the world but walking alone in fog and/or rain might well feel like it!
As I haven't done this walk before I would be quite keen to meet up with one or two people or even a group to travel with for the first time .My idea is that when I have some experience I will return and do the whole route.

I look forward to hearing what some experience Camino travellers have to say.
Thanks

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Valzen ~
Your plan sounds fine. With 7-10 days in April you might want to walk from Burgos to Leon or perhaps Burgos to Astorga. It's hard to predict the weather, but this stretch is general warmest and driest of the Camino Frances and may save you from some rain/fog this time of year.

Yes, it's really ok to go alone. I've always started alone and quickly joined up with other singles/groups along the way. I've never had a problem with too much solitude on the Camino. People are friendly and everyone spices the walking with conversation. New faces are welcomed. The albergues and bar/cafes are the heart of this. After you see another person 4-5 times and sleep next to them or across the room you've got a lot in common.

While it's possible to hook up with people via the Internet to walk together it's not really necessary or, to my mind, even desirable. Why? Because you never know until you start walking together whether or not you'll actually blend well. Some pilgrims walk fast, some slow. Some want to talk non-stop, some want quiet. Some are leftists, some are right wing. You generally learn enough after 10 minutes of walking together to decide whether you've made a long-lasting friend. If, on the other hand, you commit to walking 10 days with someone you don't really know you may discover you've made a mistake. The Camino is very free-flowing, with people giving each other room to chat or to walk alone. I encourage you to trust that starting alone will quickly transition to meeting many new friends.
--Sandy

[grayland]

Sandy has given you excellent advice. You will not be alone after the first morning unless you want it that way.
Hooking up with a stranger before hand would be a mistake for the reasons that Sandy has pointed out.
Trust that you will be fine starting out alone.
Buen Camino

[BHinSanDiego]

I second what Husky says, last year prior to my Camino I had made contact with someone on this board and we planned on meeting up somewhere along the way, we never did, but what it did do was cause a mild case of stress and a string of emails, once you are on your way you'll meet with plenty of people to walk with. Also don't be put off if someone you meet desires to walk alone at one time of another, everyone does it at times, its all part of the experience, you'll more than likely want some solitude too at times, you will meet up with the friends in the alburgues at the end of the day to share stories.

[Covey]

I always like Bayonne Railway Station.

We all stand around looking at each other, trying to work out who speaks which language and desperately hoping that our pack does not really look too large or heavy. We look at those whose packs are covered with badges from all the long distance walking trails and whose Teva sandals look as though they have been twice around the world and hope to God we can keep going and not have to give up. We try and see those who smile and look relaxed and look as though they might know where we are going and what to do and edge a little closer

And suddenly, there is a rush to climb aboard the little train to St Jean and everybody starts talking and introducing themselves and we are off on the adventure of a lifetime.

No one is alone on the Camino unless they want to be.!

[valzen]

Hi and thanks so much. The replies I have received have encouraged me to go and am just finalising travel arrangements. One small thing. If you are moderator of this site could you please tell me where to find the place to change my membership category. As you will see by my photograph I am patently not a junior member!! Thanks again from Val who now can't wait to walk part of the camino.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Valzen --
Congrats on your upcoming camino. Unfortunately Junior Members are all those with less than 25 posts. Age has no part in it. Sorry!

[valzen]

Can someone please tell me if and how I can get a pilgrim passport in Burgos. I am walking from Burgos to Astorga in a couple of weeks. How will I fare if the place that can issue them is closed by the time I arrive in Burgos from the airport?

[grayland]

What time do you arrive?
Normally, Pilgrim passports can be obtained in an albergue or at the Cathedral. I am not familiar with albergues in Burgos as I did not stay in an albergue in Burgos.
Maybe someone can come up with the information.

[Covey]

You get your Pilgrim Passport at the Official Albergue just behind the Cathedral in Burgos.

Last time I was there it opened 9am to 10pm. every day.

[valzen]

Thanks- your advice was great and I had a truly wonderful time walking from Burgos to Astorga in April. I now want to go back and walk the rest of the trail to Santiago. I can get away for the last two weeks in June but am wondering just how hot it might be, and also whether the trail is much busier in June than in April when I was there, and does that make it difficult to get into albergues etc.

This is a fantastically helpful forum. I was encouraged to go, not only that also to go alone. I am so glad I walked some of the camino and walking alone really does give you the chance to meet some amazing people. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!