First time walker seeking advice

[craigman1211]

My name is Craig, 25 and from the U.S. and suddenly felt to urge to undertake the Camino for no very specific reason. ANYWAYS, I was wondering if anyone had any advice about it, particularly relating to protecting myself from theft, as well as when I plan to go.

Theft is kind of a big issue for me, as I am spending every last dime I have to make this trip happen. Are there places where I can be assured that my property would be secure, are there specific ways I should carry my money and other important documents where no one will be able to get to it? If I took an Ipod or other mp3 players is it better to get something battery powered or something that I can charge? I just worry that it might get stolen while charging, or that my phone might get stolen.

As far as the season goes, I am basically going a bit blind, this is the only time I can go, so no matter what I am going to go in late June-July, any suggestions?

I wonder about is how much Spanish should I learn before I go? As a stereotypical American, I have a definitive lack of fluency in other languages, it would be helpful to know exactly how much I should study before I go.

As a final question, how important is a walking stick?

[Covey]

Craig........... You are going on one of the worlds ancient Pilgrimage walks and funnily enough will be surrounded by pilgrims making their way to the tomb of St James for whatever reason. You might find it surprising to learn that your companions along the Way are not intent on robbing you but will actually go out of their way to help and assist you.

June /July is fine. If you walk the Camino Frances you will find the stage between Burgos and Leon gets quite hot during the day, but you should have good walking weather and not much rain.

As for speaking Spanish, some walk the Camino and speak fluent Spanish and some speak just enough to order a coffee or a beer.

If you are young and fit, a stick is not essential. If you find you need one, then pick one up from the side of the track or buy one in any of the towns.

[HuskyNerd]

Couldn't agree more with Covey. Some additional thoughts:

There are no guarantees against theft of personal items, but it is uncommon on the Camino. If there is something you cannot afford to lose, then the best advice is leave it at home. In my opinion there's no real need for an MP3 player or phone on the Camino. Why not leave these items at home? For Americans the cost of international phone plans is very high and if you're already tight for $s why bother? The easiest (and lightest) way to keep in touch with folks back home is via the Internet. There are pay computers sprinkled throughout the Camino and for 1E every few days you're covered. And it's unnecessary to have an MP3 player to drown out the outside world since you're paying big dollars to enjoy all the sounds of Spain. Also, the voices of fellow pilgrims will fill your ears and you'll wonder why you ever considered an MP3 player.

As for money and documents, keep these with you at all times. I carry my money and credit cards in a zippered compartment in my hiking pants so in big cities I have no fear of being pickpocketed. But I sense that it's much more likely I would lose my stuff than that I would get ripped off. When I'm showering in an albergue I do keep my valuables in a small waterproof bag and bring it in the shower with me. I'm partly wary of losing $s and credit cards, but I'm even more worried about losing my passport and my pilgrim credencial. Again, it's not that they're likely to get ripped off, it's more likely I will misplace them. Losing the passport would mean a trip to a US embassy -- a huge hassle. Losing my credencial would be heartbreaking since it's my connection to the many villages and towns I've walked on the camino.

You should learn a few Spanish phrases prior to your departure so that you disprove the stereotype of us Americans. Even if you mess up, you'll make friends of the Spaniards who sense you respect them and their culture enough to learn the primary local language. There are online resources for camino vocabulary and a few minutes a day will make you a better pilgrim.

Walking sticks. There's vast disagreement on this here in the Forum, but my rule is that a fit person with no hip, leg, or ankle injuries or balance problems does not need walking poles on the Camino. I know that in a few days approximately 1000 other Forum folks will write to disagree with me on this, but I've tried walking sticks and so has my 23 year old son. We have 3 caminos between us and are planning our next one for this coming month and neither of us is taking walking poles. However, my sister, who's joining us, is about 40-50 lbs overweight and concerned about balance. We're encouraging her to use walking poles as a way to steady herself where there's difficult footing. Also, USA transportation folks are nervous about people carrying sticks with spikes on them aboard airplanes, so if you bring poles with you you may have to check your bag which is definitely not optimal for many reasons. Best, then, to purchase walking sticks after you've arrived in Europe if you have the need.

Hope this helps. Buen camino~
Sandy

[BHinSanDiego]

Most if not all of your questions have been answered but I want to give my thougths and ideas on a couple of items. The Ipod/MP3 player, leave it at home, you're going on a great adventure, enjoy the sound of nature and your fellow pilgrims, the only people I saw on my Camino with music devices were young Spanish girls, luckily it wasn't intrusive but I did hear it. With you concern about theft it is one thing you'll have to worry about when charging the device, that is unless you want to sit and babysit it while it charges you'll have to leave it by itself while you're off doing better things. Also you'll have to buy an adapter to be able to use the Spanish electrical outlets, no point on spending money on that. Prior to my Camino a friend here encouraged me to take my Ipod, I said no and was glad I did. The internet is readily available though it is dated and slow. Camino life can be so simple, walk, eat, converse, sleep, start all over again the next day, it doesn't get any easier than that.
Ultreya,
Barry

[craigman1211]

Thanks for all of the advice, and just to defend myself a bit, I am bringing the mp3 player so that I can sleep, I have a hard time sleeping with other noises going on around me, so a pair of good head phones and some music will work wonders for me.

[craigman1211]

How do I get from Pamplona to St. Jean De Pied Port?

[allisgroovey]

Just returned from Camino Frances and agree with advice and ideas above. Leave the electronics at home. Pilgrims with headphones or their nose in their Blackberry somehow seemed out of place and out of reach of other pilgrims. I found internet service about every third day at Albergues, 1 Euro for 20 to 40 minutes, more costly toward Santiago. Can't beat that really. Security was never an issue as we were careful with our belongings. I used small locks for the backpack zippers. We used a money belt, and as much as I dislike them in general, they are secure. Put the contents in a zip lock bag to prevent moisture from your body damaging the contents. I keep credit and debit cards there, and a copy of personal info, medical info, copy of passport, names and addresses... I kept a small wallet in a sipper pocket in my pants for a little cash.

[grayland]

As is often stated here.....the Camino is a very personal experience and each person has an opinion that is important to them. However, one must remember that it is only an opinion. I take both phone and MP3 (really just one as iPhone has iPod built in) and the entire group of people I walked on and off with both Caminos had one or the other. It really is just what you are comfortable with.
I can't think of anytime when someone bothered other people with electronics.
Preconceived ideas of what constitutes a "proper" Camino is always a bad idea.
Lots of different opinions regarding many things....albergues vs hotel.....phones....MP3s....etc. People who find that being with other people think albergues are the only proper way to go. People who are really not into sleeping with strangers find them to be less desirable. Both are right. Your enjoyment does not translate into the same as others.

[Covey]

My normal advice is "It is your Camino and you walk it your way" but occasionally I think that I should add "as long as what you do does not affect others"!

99.5% of pilgrims cause no problems what so ever to their fellow travelers along the way, but occasionally you find those (mostly the younger generation!) who have difficulty in working out the difference between walking one of the ancient pilgrimage routes to the tomb of St James, and being on a cheap 5 week holiday.

Personal hygiene when living in very close proximity to a lot of other bodies, both male and female is important. Last year we physically ejected someone from the albergue because they smelled worse than the rankest French cheese. The young mans hippy type lifestyle did not fit well with those who were used to frequent close encounters with soap and water!

Those who cannot wake up in the morning without their mobiles set on alarm are one of my major irritants! Quite why anyone should think it is OK to have their alarm go off at 0500hrs, thereby waking up everyone else in the room, is beyond me.

The Albergues lock up at 10pm and then mobiles start ringing at 11pm as the pilgrims family back home call for a chat. Have they never heard of switching the phone to silent! or even better, switching it off!!

I carried an ipod (cannot afford an iPhone!!) in 2009 for the first time, and enjoyed occasionally listening to some soothing music for an hour in the evening before going out to eat, but those who walk plugged in to their music risk not hearing the cyclists coming up behind and a couple of times I have seen pile up's between a cyclist and a walker who never heard there was someone behind them. In one of them the cyclist received quite a bad cut on her leg.

PS. In the British Army, anyone who neglected their personal hygiene was warned and if they did not take the hint were given a Regimental Bath. This consisted of being pinned to the ground naked, soaked with a hosepipe, sprinkled with a very liberal amount of scouring powder which was then agitated vigorously with a yard broom.

I never ever heard of anyone needing a second Regimental Bath!!!

[grayland]

Obviously, Covey has had a different experience than I have had. We all have different experiences and memories.
I have not seen those things, or at least noticed them, on my Caminos. Another reason why many (who can afford it) opt for hotels often.
The basic premise of not bothering other people very important when in close proximity with others.
However, there are a lot of other things that cause problems other than someone else having a phone or MP3. Getting up at O dark Hundred and rattling plastic bags looking for stuff is a top one of mine. Walking around with bright headlights in the albergue when everyone is sleeping. Even those who get up at 5 am and actually turn on the lights and don't seem to understand or care why that bothers anyone. Taking the roll of toilet paper when they leave in the morning in case they need it...leaving none for those behind (no pun intended)......
Lots and lots of ways to be annoyed.

[craigman1211]

Thanks for all of the comments, its kind of interesting to hear how people experience the Camino, its about all I can think of or talk about lately. I have had dreams all week about walking the Camino , its quite exciting. As for the mp3 player, I would probably only use it at night when I am trying to block out the coughs and snores of other travelers, my sleep is going to be very important along the way. I really don't intend to turn on my phone unless in an emergency, like many of you have suggested, I will just use email to contact home most days.

I have planned for most things, and really the only issue that I seem to be having a hard time getting my head around is travel.

Basically, I am coming from America, and I have a hard leave date of June 28th, so I can get that ticket as long as I want before hand. The real issue is when I am trying to come home. From what I understand the Camino takes about 35-40 days to walk if you go from St Jean Pied De Port to Fisterra (which is what I intend to do). Should I just wait until I am almost done walking and order my ticket? It could take a week or so to get a ticket on short notice, but I could probably find a ton of things to do in Spain while I wait.

Along the transportation line again, are short notice bus and train rides freezable when it come to getting from the airport to the start or the Camino, and also getting from the end to the airport home?

Sorry I know I have a million questions, but I would so much rather know the logistics of what I am about to do so that when I get there I am not overwhelmed and unable to achieve my goals.

[Covey]

HuskyNerd said..............Couldn't agree more with Covey. Some additional thoughts:

Walking sticks. There's vast disagreement on this here in the Forum, but my rule is that a fit person with no hip, leg, or ankle injuries or balance problems does not need walking poles on the Camino.

I think the area of any disagreement has to do with those who use the sticks the whole time, and those who just use them when needed. I fail to see any advantage in using sticks when walking down a perfectly flat road, unless you have just given up smoking and need to do something with your hands for a few hours!!

Those who carry two sticks in their hands for 8 hours a day often need gloves to stop the blisters, and on the flat the sticks provide no benefit. On a steep rocky surface with a lot of loose stones, then sticks can be invaluable in helping a person keep their balance, especially as they are carry an extra 10kgs on their back which changes their centre of gravity and usually makes one less agile in the early stages of your Camino.

If you are just doing Sarria to Santiago, then sticks are not necessary. If you are walking the full length of the Camino Frances, then I would have one strapped to your pack to use when the going gets steep and the surface is loose. You might only use it for 5% of the journey, but to me having a telescopic pole is a useful insurance policy.

I also use it for prodding away stray dogs which we often encounter along the Camino Frances.

[grayland]

On the issue of a return ticket. There is discussion on another thread that would indicate that a return ticket is important.
The gist of it:
1. You may get turned away at the airport without a return from the EU.
2. The much higher cost of two one way tickets.
3. I suggest just picking a date that you are comfortable with and book the return. Changing to return date will be cheaper that 2 one way tickets and will insure you will get entry into the EU.

[Covey]

Last year (Holy Year) there seemed to be a pervasive thought by those who had not walked the Camino before that you had to leave at 5am otherwise you were not going to find a bed that night.

This meant that quite a lot of the older pilgrims were up and out before dawn, and come 6pm they wanted to go to bed, curtains pulled lights off. For the rest of us whose normal routine was eat, back to the albergue around 9pm, repack ready to pull on ones clothes at dawn and be out of the albergue in 10 minutes found ourselves trying to repack in the dark surrounded by sleeping pilgrims. I have to say I prefer the albergues where the lights are controlled by the staff and not the pilgrims!

[Covey]

Craig...... Everyone who walks the Camino Frances takes a gamble with return dates because it is long and much might happen to you along the way.

People pick up injuries, some of which like blisters you learn to live with and keep walking, but if you end up with an ankle or knee strain/sprain, it might mean you need to slow down or stop and rest for a few days.

Those who lose time up to Burgos often skip all or part of the Burgos to Leon stage to make up time again. If you want your Compostella from the Pilgrim Office at the Cathedral in Santiago, then you HAVE to have walked the last 100kms (Sarria to Santiago).

Most allow 5-6 days to walk to Finesterre and bus back to Santiago and that will give you two nights in Finesterre to catch the sunset.

If you are arriving in Madrid then I would allow 1 day to get to my start point, 34 days for the Camino Frances to Santiago, 6 days to Finesterre and back to Santiago and 1 day back to Madrid. ie: 42 days.

You have to work out how much money you have for the trip once you arrive at Madrid. That is probably your most "non-elastic" factor so take what you have available from when you arrive in Madrid in euros and divide by 40. The answer is the number of days you can afford to be on the trail. That covers your albergue, travel, food and the odd beer or two. It is not luxury living, but coaches and trains are cheap in Spain and providing you stick to albergues, you should be OK. Most medical items from the pharmacies tend to be expensive.

You will need full travel insurance and medical insurance for Europe for the number of days you are away. Be aware that many standard travel insurance policies cover a maximum trip duration of 28 days. You will need longer!!

[craigman1211]

I noticed you said I should fly into and out of Madrid, I was actually planning on flying into Barcelona, and flying out of Madrid. What is your opinion of this?

[Covey]

When dealing with folk intent on walking the Camino, we have to assume that in the absence of any information to the contrary, pilgrims will travel on the most logical routes.

Usually, for those flying intercontinental from the States or Australia, New Zealand etc the cheapest flights are to the major European centers of London, Paris or Madrid, and then on to Pamplona/Roncesvalles/St Jean by the easiest and cheapest way. That might mean a Ryanair cheap flight from London to Bairritz, bus to Bayonne and then the local train to St Jean. If you arrive in Paris, you could fly to Bairritz etc OR catch the night train from Paris to Bayonne and then on to St Jean OR arrive in Madrid, train or coach to Pamplona and then get Express Bouricot to pick you up and take you to St Jean.

Your route home is usually back to your point of entry and then the long haul flight home.

The controlling factor is often the cost of a return ticket from "home" to Europe. Depending on where exactly you live, I suspect either London or Madrid will offer you the cheapest route in to Europe.

The simplest route is Madrid. If you drew a line from Madrid to Pamplona to Santiago to Madrid, you have a triangle and you are in Spain and in Spain almost everything goes to and from Madrid. Unless Barcelona has moved recently, it is the wrong end of Spain, being on the south coast and you are going to be walking the Camino Frances which runs parallel to the north coast of Spain. Rather like arriving in Florida to visit New York! If you are needing to get to Roncesvalles and finish in Santiago then Madrid is your best entry point.

Your problem is that St Jean is actually 5kms inside France and from Madrid you go to Pamplona and get a "Camino taxi" like Express Bouricot to transport you to St Jean. There is no public transport from Pamplona to St Jean.

The alternative is to start from Roncesvalles or Pamplona. As many start from Roncesvalles as start from St Jean and getting from Pamplona to St Jean can be expensive. Having paid quite a lot to be transported to St Jean, you then spend 3 days walking back the same route you drove over!!! Express Bourricot

From Santiago you can fly/train/coach back to Madrid.