long term planning!

[barb]

Hi
A group of friends and I (possible 10 people) are hoping to do part of the camino frances in 2009 in October. I'm doing the research! Would you recommend one of the companies who take your bags ahead to hotels as a way to do it, or would you say this is not necessary? We are all 40s and 50s but fairly fit! (or at least will be by then). Planning on 6 or 7 days.
Any comments welcome at this stage.
Barb

[Leslie]

Either way - some people like the tour companies to do all the arranging for them and some, like myself, like the freedom of justing walking everyday until I decide to stop.


I have heard little about the tour companies on the Camino, which leads me to believe they must be okay or I am sure I would have seen the complaints - and no I have no interest in any tour company or affiliations.

[Judy vd Meulen]

Hi Barb:

Just came back from doing a portion of the Camino. One of our group found her bag was too heavy and used the "taxi" service to shuttle it ahead to the next private albergue that we had reserved. It seemed to work out just fine. She usually paid in the 7 euro bracket I think.

[barb]

Thanks for your comment. Out of interest, which section of the camilo did you do, and how did you find it? I was in Santiago de Compostela last week for a few days, and watched people coming into the city from the camino. It was fascinating to see people at the Pilgrim's mass in the cathedral. Though not especially religious myself, I could see that it was very moving for many people.

Having done one section, do you think you'd like to go back and do more?
Cheers

barbara

[Judy vd Meulen]

Hi Barbara:

We started at St. Jean Pied de Port and walked to Estella. We then took a bus and resumed walking in Sarria. We come from the mountains in British Columbia and so we most enjoyed the mountainous areas of Spain! When we got down to the flat section, I found it quite warm and had to do some singing to make it through! The first night we stayed at Orisson where we had made reservations. That was a great choice for a first night. The last section intrigued me with the small farms and humble people that we met. I must say the Pilgrim's mass was a disappointment. We arrived on a Sunday and it was a bit of a circus with tours flocking hither and to with no regard whatsoever of the sanctity of the church. Along the Camino we went to serveral masses and enjoyed those visits much more than the Pilgrim's Mass at Santiago. Although not of the Catholic faith, I found the quiet time very refreshing.

Would I do more sections? Perhaps but there are so many other places I want to explore. We had wonderful weather (no rain in the 2 weeks) and wonderful travelling companions.

One evening before sleep came, I composed a letter to the Pope asking him if he could not please sponsor some public washrooms along the Camino. I feel sorry for the poor farmers whose fields get strewn with human waste.

Have fun with your planning and hope the trip is all you have hoped for.

[Covey]

The ability to have your bag taken on to your next stop has been around for a few years and now you can arrange to have your bag transported from most albergues along the way. Most albergues (Official and Private) will have a flyer on the notice board with a number to ring, which is usually a local taxi driver.

Most pilgrims view the bag service as the work of the devil, trying to distract the true Pilgrim from the path of pain and suffering!! but for those who are injured it can provide a useful break from the weight on your back and give your muscles a bit of respite so they can recover.

The downside is that it assumes that you will get to the appointed albergue to be reunited with your rucksac!! If not, you have a major problem.

One of the nice parts of walking the Camino is that you decide when you want to stop, and where. Quite often I will decide that instead of doing 30kms that day, I will stop earlier wherever I find a nice albergue and interesting village/town, and use the time saved to do my laundry and have a beer or two! This you cannot do if you have to meet up with your bag!

Over the past 5 years there has been a huge increase in the number of private albergues (Azura in 2003 had none, and in 2008 had 5) and the standard of accommodation and facilities is much better than the official (municipal) albergues although they are generally a little more expensive.