Questions from a new walker

[piper10]

I am a 64 year old male, moderately fit. I plan on starting from StJPdeP in early March. I have a few questions. 1). Food. My understending is that a high protein breakfast and sugary snacks is the best option. Is this correct? 2). I wear a skin and a light rainproof jacket. Should I walk in a fleese or perhaps a shirt ? I am extremely concerned with weight and am trying to keep under 6.5 Kg. 3). In the film "The Way" there was a scene of pilgrims placing votives at a crucifix. Is that fiction? I have never seen reference to it in any forum post.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Piper ~
Congrats on your upcoming camino. 1) Food -- whatever works for you is what's best. For me it is a cafe con leche and a napolitano (chocolate croissant); 2) Clothing -- it's best to plan to layer, then adjust your clothes to the weather and terrain. At minimum you'll want a long sleeve/warm layer next to your skin, a thickish fleece layer, and a good rain jacket layer on top. For hot days you'll want a short-sleeve, light (technical t-shirt) layer after the morning chill is gone; 3) I don't remember this scene from the movie, though I've seen it twice. That said, there are several albergues with their unique rituals and this is one of the joys of albergue life. L'espirit du Chemin in SJPP has its ritual and there are many others, ending with the unusual New Age albergue in Santiago. If you're open to these expressions, you'll have a blast!

[nathan]

by votives do you mean the pebbles scene? i recently re watched the way and that comes to mind.
Talking of the movie...they do seem to have large packs....be swathed in north face equipment....but it never rains? and apart from a bit of foot rubbing....none of the 4 characters gets blisters/ shinsplints/ tendonitis

[grayland]

It is probably a good idea to not take much from the movie as factual. It is not a very close picture of the actual experience.

[Leslie]

The stones that people leave at the Cruz de Ferro are refered to as "sorrow stones" - basically the idea is that people carry a stone from home that represents a sorrow that can or never will be resolved and leave it at Cruz de Ferro - a way of leaving the sorrow - or letting go.

Must admit haven't done this myself - though my other half did and found it worth while. I try to leave people to what helps them no matter what I think.

[netia]

Haha...I had heard of the ritual of taking a special stone from home and leaving it on a pile, in order to rid yourself of all burdens. My problem was I hadn't read which pile of stones was the significant one. On the first day walking from SJPP I came across my first.....of what was to be MANY piles of stones and left my little special stone there : ) It was only when i walked UP to the Iron Cross some hundreds of Kms down the track that I understood where my stone should be. Symbolically tho, I think, I left my baggage right there back at the beginning, which is why I had such a wonderful, wonderful walk : )