I need advice and tips on just about everything, any help will be greatly appreciated

[joe]

So, I recently watched a film called "The Way" which is basically all about the Camino de Santiago. After watching it I was really inspired to do it myself. But I suffer from depression, I'm on medication (which I could take with me... or not if it doesn't go through customs), although the medication hasn't been working at all for me since I was put on it... I just want to find peace and maybe answers for the questions I have. The Camino seems like it could help me do this, even though I've never ever done anything like it before, I have never even been outside of my city, let alone country (the UK).

Because of my depression I am really unfit, I have basically sat in my room since I quit my job 2 months ago, I'm not overweight or anything but I have become lazy and unfit. I get tired after walking for one mile... but last year I was in similar health and I went camping with a few friends and got drunk... then at about 5am I decided to climb the hills and mountains of Wales (which is stupid and dangerous), I was up there for 3-4 hours and I didn't stop climbing (and I was only wearing thin cheap plimsoles - which led to a lot of blisters). So I think the walk itself will be ok, I like being pushed to determination, like when I had blisters I carried on walking in the pain and it felt like it was something I "had" to do. I dont know why.

I will be leaving here for Paris on the 18th May (my 21st birthday is 17th May). I will most likely stay in Paris for 2-3 days to sight see before I make my way down to St. Jean Pied de Port, my backpack will weigh approx 7-9kg (depending on what I take), I weigh about 11 stone so I think thats about 10-15% of my body weight (which is what I was recommended).

Now I know the title says I need help on everything, and I've pretty much explained what I plan to do which sounds ok to me... but I need help with things like:

- what to take? I have a rough idea, but I dont know what would be too much or too little, a template list would be handy if anyone has one?

- how long will it take to walk it? (the Camino Frances route). I want to pre book my flight home to get it cheaper... I heard it takes about 30 days to walk it, but I would probably take 35 because of my fitness level. So i was thinking of planning the flight for 6 weeks later (42 days) as I would be in Paris for the first 2-3 days, and then I would be walking to the coast after Santiago, then back, and then I would like to sight see for a day or 2. Plus if i finish earlier than expected I can spend a couple of days relaxing before I have to go home.

- how much money (I will have about 600 euros for the pilgrim itself... is that enough?)

- should I do any training before I go?

- how do I get from Paris to St. jean?

- after i arrive at Santiago I would like to carry on and go to the coast, do many pilgrims do this?

- how do i get home from Santiago? I was thinking of prebooking flights from an airport in a big city near Santiago, and then travelling by bus or train to that city when I finish the Camino.... Would that be better/cheaper than flying straight from Santiago to London? (I guess I would need to price those things myself, but I dont know any travel information sites for Spain, like the trains or buses from Santiago to other cities, any help or info on that would be best for me)


Oh, one last question, are there any other people starting the Camino alone around the 20th May? I would like a bit of company for the beginning at least, I wouldn't mind splitting after a day or two, i think it's all part of the experience to meet new people along the way.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on, and thanks in advance for any replies.

Joe.

[Leslie]

Firstly I am not a doc and all the following is from personal experience.

I suggest that it is a good idea not to drink while taking the pills - your choice though.

Taking meds with you will not be issue.

I don't know if your depression is severe or like I had when younger more like low mood, and an inability to motivate myself, and nothing seems worthwhile or interesting. If it is the second I think it may be helpful walking or excerising every day, this was something that I found very helpful. Following that logic the Camino might be a good idea.

One additional point I found about the Camino. People talked to me about personal things that I think they would not have expressed to a stranger at home in their day to day life- I was the same and I found all this helpful.

The rest of your questions will have been answered all over the forum and I am sure other will jump in to address them - the above is maybe the bit that touches me the most.

All the best.

[Covey]

Joe, it is your Camino, and you walk it your way. There are really no rules and the only thing you need do is to follow the yellow arrows on the pathway, or side of a building, and they will guide your feet.

As for the rest, you look up, say to yourself "I can do this" and just put one foot in front of another and you are on your Camino. In the beginning you might only feel like doing 10-15kms a day but as your legs get used to what you are doing, you can gradually increase the distance, but do not be tempted to over do it because that is when you pick up strain injuries and blisters.

Don't be worried by those who talk of doing 40kms a day, just think about what you want to do. The Camino is not a race and there are no prizes for coming first.

You will find people who are like minded souls walking along the trail and you can chat if you want or just look around you and enjoy the peace and quiet and the countryside. Most arrive at their start point on their own, but most end up in small groups or "families" who some days will walk together and on other days will walk alone and meet in the evenings for a meal and a beer.

On the Camino, nobody worries about who or what you are, where you come from, or what you do in life. Rich or poor, young or old we all pull our boots on in the morning, hoist our pack on our backs, look up at the dawn and head off for another days adventure.

Buen Camino

[geraldkelly]

Hi Joe!

First of all, good luck with your Camino. I hope it helps you sort things out in your life. I wish I'd discovered the Camino when I was your age.

On the money issue: €600 is cutting it a bit fine. You'll have about €20 a day, your costs will be about €6 to €10 for a hostel and then the rest for food. Given that meals in restaurants start at about €10 you'll find it difficult to manage on that money. If possible have something in reserve.

On travel home, Ryanair and (I think) Easyjet fly from Santiago to the UK so check out their websites.

You can save some money by cooking for yourself and some hostels have kitchens. I've done a guide to the Camino which is free and which tells you which hostels have kitchens. It can be downloaded from Camino de Santiago Guide - St James Way - free guide to download

I know there was a lot of questions in your initial message but hopefully the whole thing is becoming clearer for you now. If you still need more info just ask again but ask one or two questions at a time because when people see ten questions they don't reply because they don't know where to start.

Buen Camino!
Ger

[joe]

Yeah, I asked this question the first day I decided to actually do the Camino... my initial thoughts were "this will be dirt cheap" then after 2 days of researching, planning, and spending I found that this will be more expensive than I thought. I have enough money to live on about €30 each day (and €35 when I arrive in the bigger cities). I think this should be enough as there will be days when I will only spend €20.

I was planning on making my own meals, buying fruit for snacking, and drinking water (maybe the odd pint of cider on some evenings). If I run out of money, my mum has said she will let me borrow up to £200 (€220?), so I don't think I will have to worry about money.

I have booked my flights, luckily the cheapest flight in May to Paris was £26.99 and it was on the 18th... the day after my 21st birthday! (I'm taking that as a positive sign). I have booked my Santiago flight with RyanAir to London, the cheapest I could find was €70 (which is pretty cheap I think). I have 42 days in total to complete my Camino... I plan to start walking on 22nd May after spending a couple of days in Paris! I'm not going to rush my Camino, but I will aim to reach Santiago by 25-26th June so that I can carry on walking to Finisterre... my flight back to London is 1st July which should give me slightly more than enough time to finish... but as I said if I am slower than I predict and don't have time to reach Finisterre, then I can always come back next year and start from Leon and go to Finisterre then.

Thanks for all of the help guys, I did exactly what you said and I have read through the forums and I have found more information than I expected! This is a really good information site for new people and experienced people alike. I will be on here for the next month or so and then when I return from my Camino I will definitely let people here know about it

[geraldkelly]

Joe

It sounds like you have everything organised already. About the train ticket from Paris to Bayonne, if you book in advance from voyages-sncf.fr you'll often get it cheaper. I like your plan to give yourself loads of time. You don't want to be rushed on the Camino.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Get yourself a good sun hat, you're going to need it!

Ger

[BHinSanDiego]

Hey Joe, looks like you have a good plan, I started my Camino last year on the same day of the month, May 22nd from St Jean. It took me 33 days to arrive in Santiago on June 23rd, so I think you have allotted yourself enough time to make it and not rush yourself. I took only 1 break day, in Burgos, never really felt I needed more, but you have built yourself enough time in if you want to take more. You can save money by making your own meals in the alburgues, even more so if you combine with other pilgrims, just don't buy too much at any one time since it adds weight you'll have to carry, I vividly remember the weight whenever I carried food compared to when I didn't, it really does make a difference, toward the end of the camino some of the alburgues do have kitchens but some don't have anything to cook with, maybe that's change since last year I hope, but don't worry about it. Have a good Camino and look forward to hearing about your adventures.
Ultreya,
Barry

[Buffalo Girl]

I'll be traveling around the same time, joe. Good luck and I'll look for ya