Embarking on the adventure

[stephanie]

Hello there everyone!

I am going to be doing the Camino - route 'Frances' from the 8th June.
I am a 19 year old female from London, and if you have any advice, help or if you will be doing it at this time please shout this way!

I may be doing the Camino by myself for half or all of the walk - I feel okay about this, but is it survivable - ? Everyone I know has been looking at me aghast when I mention this!

In terms of travelling, I am planning to get the eurostar to Paris, and then a train to St Jean ... from where I will begin the walk and where I will obtain my pilgrim passport - is the pilgrim passport difficult to get hold of?

I am giving myself a month to do this - I am quite fit and active (or so I like to think!) but is this enough time?

In terms of packing and rucksack size I am slightly apprehensive... how much weight should be adequate?

Like I said, any advice, help or words from fellow walkers would be fantastic

Thank-you!

Steph

[JenSea]

Hi Stephanie, I'm a 19, female and from South Africa, doing the Camino in September. I have been researching a little bit and from what I have found:
-A pilgrim's passport is quite cheap and can be obtained at the main departures, definately at St Jean
-Most pilgrims are able to walk in four weeks
-A good weight for your backpack is 10% of your body weight
-You will probably be walking 15-25km a day so be very careful about your footware choice, it is a good idea to take a needle and thread for blisters as well as wrapping your feet in wide adhesive bandages (changing them every three days) if possible

As for doing it alone, I am in the same boat - and the way I feel is that if you are prepared to trust yourself and the journey, you can do it easily. If you are able to spend time alone with yourself it won't be a problem. There are lots of people on the walk and I've heard you meet TONS of new people, and you're never REALLY alone.

If you worry abput being alone you could lose out on oppurtunities...

That is my opinion

A great site for information is http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/links.html

Take care and good luck on your journey!
I would love an email from you after you have completed the walk about your experience.

Jenna

[Leslie]

You sound completely fine. A month should be more than enough, you will met and talk to others.

As for rucksack - it should be no more than 10% of your body weight - that can be quite a challenge.