Anybody starting on May 1st

[PaulR]

Dear Jo and Paul K (and any others traveling on 1 May from Bayonne to SJPP),

As you may recall from earlier posts, my flight gets into Biarritz (from Stansted) at 15.05 on 1 May. I?m getting itchy feet to get to SJPP sooner rather than wait until your 19.30 (approx) arrival at Bayonne. Hence, I have decided to make my own way to SJPP rather than travel with you. I hope that you two are able to find another to share the fare, if you would prefer that.

After a post from Paul K (I think) about proceeding to SJPP without a prior reservation for accommodation (the municipal refuge does not take reservations, of course), I wrote to the Tourist Office to explore the risks of not finding accommodation and received the following positive reply (translated via Babel Fish):

?If you arrive at St Jean Pied of Port without a reservation, you can go to the refuge of the pilgrims to the 39, street of the Citadel which will certainly direct you towards the municipal refuge or worms [rooms?] of the private lodgings which will have availability.?

I hope that this message helps and reassures. I also hope that your tendon problems are being resolved/cured, Jo.

See you on the Camino, whether in SJPP, in Orisson or later.

Best wishes, Paul

[Paul K]

Hey Paul,
Thanks for the update and info, best of luck

[norske99]

Hello: We are six pilgrims traveling from Chicago on 1 May and will begin walking from St. Jean Pied de Port on 2 May. We have a website and blog that we hope to be able to update from time to time on our pilgrimage.
Here is a link to our site:

www.elcamino.norsketech.com/

[Leslie]

hi norske99 had a look at your blog and I have added it to my camino blog roll here http://caminodesantiago.me.uk/hp_wordpress/

It would be great if you could give the forum a plug on your blog - thanks and have a good Camino.

[Sheens]

Hi Paul

Thanks for your reply. Airport meeting sounds good to me. I'm sure we'll meet another couple of pilgrims between now and then to take the cab with us. I haven't booked either. Don't really want to. Once I get to SJPP I simply want to go with the flow, be in the moment and let my adventure unfold. I am a project manager and spend my life planning months ahead. One of the things I am looking forward to is not to have to do or think too much about what might happen but being present, using my intuition, and just 'being' for a month. My injury seems like a real curse at the moment. I am trying to be philosophical about it but I am full of fear and doubt that I might not be able. I have spent many years in the mountains and have been running for the last couple of years. My physical ability to walk the Camino was never in doubt. I guess I took it for granted. Ironically it was in fact my new boots (that I bought specifically for the trip) that did the harm on a walk on Good Friday. I have now bought some trainer/walking/shoes but can't get more than a couple of miles before it sets it off. I will probably make a slow start and pray that it gets better. Anyway, enough of my woes. I keep telling myself its all part of the journey. Happy preparation Jo

Jo

I'm so glad i read your post- about going with the flow- i have been stressing out all day long about arriving in SJPP this Thursday without accomodation booked. I am going to take your advice and go with the flow. I assume the pilgrims office will not let me sleep on the streets! I am really nervous but also excited, although primarily nervous. I hope you are enjoying your camino and that your acchiled is holding up

Report back soon

[Trombananda]

Hello,I am starting on or about May 1st and this is my first time doing anything like this.
I am interested in water,where does one find drinking water along the path?Will I need to know very much Spanish?I am taking Spanish classes now to get ready.
I do walk the beach everyday here in Florida but there are no mounhtains or even hills to climbso that does concern me.I am going anyway so whatever happens ,happens!
Thank you,Franco

[grayland]

Hi Franco...Welcome

Water is not a problem. You can buy bottled water in all of the villages along the way and you can refill your bottle at many public fountains along the way. You do want to be sure that you are carrying enough water each day to get you through. It is nice to get some basic Spanish...but not actually needed as English is pretty much the common language on the Camino. A few basic words of Spanish will get you by.
There are no real mountains (including from St. Jean to Roncevalles) just some hills that feel like mountains.
Your pack weight is the most important concern you should address. Nothing will give you more problems.
The rule of thumb is not to exceed 10kg (22 lbs) and try to get it much lighter. Most people end up sending things back or leaving them on the way.
Everything you need is available along the Camino so there is no need to carry everything you think you might need.\
Decide what you are taking and then wear your pack with that amount of weight every time you walk.

[Trombananda]

Hi grayland,
Thank you very much for your help.I feel much more confident and ready to walk the Camino!
Peace,
Franco

[toledo]

Hi Franco, Grayland is correct, the most important thing is the weight you carry. Keep it to the bare minimum. Don't worry about water, there's plenty along the way, a fountain or tap in every village. Water also weighs heavy so don't carry too much. I believe May 1st is a holiday in Spain so you may want to delay departure for a day or two, the Camino will be busy during the holidays. Get used to getting up early each day and walking with your pack in preparation for the Camino. Try to lengthen your walk each day. The one thing I missed on a morning was to wake to a cup of coffee and the first thing we did every morning was to look for a cafe and a coffee con leche. You may want to take the means to make a drink.
Good luck.

Toledo

[norske99]

Hi Franco,
While the Pyrenees don't count as mountains in the eyes of most people they are big hills. Walking on the beach does not do much to prepare you for hills. The most frequent problems that we saw the first few days were related to footwear. Many people had not worn them enough. After the first day over the Pyrenees raw heels and sore toes were fairly common. Your feet slide forward or backward on the hills and can cause problems if your boots are not properly fitted and broken in.
We walked in May and had hot weather the first few days and very cold and rainy after that, but that was abnormally bad weather for May. We packed light as Grayland suggests and never had a problem finding something that we needed. Some days we wore almost all of the clothes that we had just to keep warm. We walked for an hour or two each day before stopping for cafe con leche because we started before the bars were open.
Keep walking with your pack - you won't regret the time that you spend training.
Chuck

[linlou]

Hello !
I will be starting my Camino on May 1 as well. I arrive Biarritz 3:30 and plan to find my way to Bayonne to catch the next train to SJPP. If it works out, I will look for fellow backpackers and catch a cab instead. Sounds like there are a few out there with the same idea.

Best of luck to all.