Say Hello

[Laurah]

Haha, yes i intend to. Actually i love going barefoot so i know i'll so some of it that way, and i am trying to decide if i want to wear my sandals with socks, or regular hiking shoes (not boots)...I don't want to carry both.
As well, i'm not sure the plane and customs will let me bring my own walking stick (a real tree stick i use on all my walks). Anyone know the answer to that?

Well congratulations Alan! I'm still looking for mine, perhaps eventually?

As do I. I can see why she should, why we should share this experience, but not sure she fully understands that yet. Her biggest quandary is being w/o her boyfriend for 3 months, and having to take her cell phone (uck!) Perhaps she could talk with your son about it? I think if she talked with others daughters/sons who did this with their parents a lot of questions would be answered for her.

Yes, that is a wonderful sentiment. Perhaps it is? I hope so!

My biggest problem is where the money for airfair is coming from! I about Kieled over when i saw how much an airline ticket was (For ONE) to Spain (Madrid was cheapest)!!

[Laurah]

Hi Laurah
I am so pleased to hear from Covey that I am a "recycled teenager" that is a new one to me. But yes that is what I hope I am, we start on Tues Sept 13th from St Jean and hope to do the Camino into SDeC by Oct 16th, we have a few days to spare. The books I have bought (tut tut-I am a "retired" librarian and very seldom buy books-but this time I wanted to "own" them.) and recommend are by Kevin Codd To the Field of Stars, Tim Moore's Spanish Steps, 2 to keep John Brierley's Maps, and a pilipalapress.com Walking the Camino de C. However there are 100's, if you read HuskyNerds advice re Religion and Spirituality it contains good "bits". Go back and forwards through the threads and see what you glean from them. I hope your plans go ahead. Wish you all the best with your planning, and if you are about in Sept ?
Una

yes it IS a fun term isn't it? I'm 46 and act like i'm 26 most the time. It's Youthful enthusiasm.
Good recommendations-Thank you! Hopefully i will find 1-2 books (can't have anymore then that-too heavy to carry!) to take with me...But have thought about just a good map guide and my intuition

Yes I do too. If it's meant to be...thank you Una! Who knows, I'm starting in August-ending in November.

[Laurah]

Hi Laurah,

I'd like to add to Covey's excellent and sage-like advice, that while this is a physical challenge the bigger test is in the mind. It takes a lot of willpower to walk the Camino, especially when there's a perfectly good bus service.

So while you have invited your daughter to join you for physical support, remember that you're a team, and there will be many days where your courage and determination will support and inspire her, on her Camino.

Sincerely Laurah good luck to you both. I'll be somewhere on the Camino Frances from the 27th August now, so may see you along the way.

Wow I've just noticed I've lost my junior member status, 20 posts already, I feel all grown up!

Kind regards
Anso

Oh i'm not lacking in willpower. It's my daughter that needs to find it/a personal reason & attachment to do this. Yes that is the most important reason; for us to go together. Bonding with each other and our own individual spiritual paths. I will do this alone, but would far prefer her to go with me. As I KNOW she will eventually be glad she did. Before i got MS i wanted to do the Amazing Race with her but she wasn't 18, now she is and I can't do that so i told her this could be our modified (way modified) version of that. She liked the idea

Yes perhaps we might?! I haven't set a firm departure date yet, except sometime first week of August.

[Laurah]

Hi All,

I am in the planning stage of my trip yes I'm reading alot comments which does help so thanks to all that post the info.

At this stage of the planning, I'll be traveling alone so hope to meet many like minded people on the way. I'm looking at starting at St Jean and I am working on a time scale of 6 weeks, but hey if it takes longer so be it.

I'd never heard of the Camino de Santiago until I watch the Martin Sheen film "The Way" and wow what a moving film that is..
So when the wife said ok go and do the walk, I've thought of nothing else. My list of things to do before I'm 50 has been put on the back burner and walking the Camino is my soul aime at the moment.

So a big Hi to all
Bryan

Hi Bryan!
Seems you and I both are at the same stage However i've thought about and wanted to do Camino for almost 2 decades now. But perhaps my daughter watching th Way film will help to ease questions and the x factor! Wonderful that your wife stands behind you on this. I know how you feel, like your souls is leading the way for you.
Best of luck B.

[Laurah]

Welcome to the Forum Laurah.

Having decided that you are going to walk your Camino, the next decision is when and where. Summer in Spain can be very hot but an early September start might be a good idea.

As to "where" I would suggest you walk the Camino Frances. This is partly because it is a nice route in most places, and partly because it is well developed as a route and there are plenty of places to stay along the Way and you go through various major cities which are convenient start/stop/rest places with good rail and road communications.

You might like to think about starting at Pamplona. Pamplona to Burgos is an interesting and not too difficult stage and when you reach Burgos, then you can decide if you want to walk the Meseta from Burgos to Leon etc etc.

If you are going to start the Camino Frances in Spain (Pamplona onwards!) then plan to fly in to Madrid from the States, and then train or coach to your start point.

Just remember one thing. It is your Camino. You walk it your way, and at your pace. Ignore those who natter on about walking 40kms a day and just do what you feel comfortable with. In September the numbers walking the Camino Frances are not as great as in June-August and the Universities and Colleges and teachers have all gone home, and the Recycled Teenagers come out to play!!

Quite why this Forum for a Catholic Pilgrimage Route ended up with two Moderators who are Methodists is beyond me, but everybody who is a Member will give you all the help, advice and encouragement you may want!!

Thanks Covey!
Yes have to Leave in August (hence wearing cargo shorts) but will be traveling through to October (hence my drip dry micro cargo pants). I am very organized and good at preping so i am doing my homework well , do not fear Covey.

Yes i plan on the Frances route, but am NOT looking forward to walking thru cities. (however it would give me a chance to perhaps make a post or two to facebook and let everyone know i am alright-would keep my daughter sane but i want to get away from technology and hustle/bustle!).

Haha, no i could careless what others are walking (stats). One of the reasons to do this IS taking my time, contemplating, thinking, reveling in the moment. Can't do that if i'm more concerned about how many miles i can walk a day. I expect when i start for the route to be busy, then as the months go so will the people.

Yes that is interesting. But it's not just a catholic pilgrimage anymore is it.

Thanks for all your advice Covey!

[Lipka149]

That Amawalker is a cool site, Laurah. Thanks for pointing it out !

[Filomena1924]

Hola
mil gracias for putting your age out..I've been planning/stopping/re-planning & now I'm working thru logistics & the mind-numbing array of what, where, how & blisters!! It's very intimidating to me at my age & living in coastal Louisiana wher the highest point is an alligator's back. I think I just felt I needed a reason, & that fell into place. Again, buen camino y gracias
Mena

[peregrina]

Hello all

I'm on the eve of my first Camino. I feel excited but also a little nervous, mainly because I haven't got myself as fit as I'd have liked before setting off. I will fly to Paris tonight and then make my way to St JDPP. I just want to say to everyone involved with this site how much I appreciate their hard work. The whole site and the forum have been tremendously helpful for me in planning my Camino. I hope I shall be able to contribute in the future if I can think of something intelligent and useful to say! Thank you all once again.

[Covey]

Buen Camino Peregrina!!

Take care and have a safe journey to St Jean.

Just walk at your own pace, and don't be tempted to overdo it in the first week.

You will be surprised how fit you will feel after 7 days!!!

[Lipka149]

I'm on the eve of my first Camino. I feel excited but also a little nervous, mainly because I haven't got myself as fit as I'd have liked before setting off.

Treasure the moment, peregrina mia. And don't worry about being fit enough ... just listen to your body and you will be fine.

I hope I shall be able to contribute in the future if I can think of something intelligent and useful to say! Thank you all once again.

Telling us your story would be the best thanks you could give. You go girl !

Buen Camino, y ultreya !

[Precious1]

Hi Leslie,

So glad you started this site and that I discovered it through a friend.

It's been a month now since I was in Galilcia, probably right outside of Santiago about now. I would like to return to Santiago also just to walk to Finisterre this time.

I had a real time of it adjusting when I returned as much as I love where I live, western Massachusetts in the Berkshire mountains. I never thought of it as a loss because I kept thinking of it as a new beginning of a pilgrimage of life, but I did have a gut wrenching pain of absence, the brevity of it, the humongousnes of it, and the mystery of it has been overwhelming, a pain that is just starting to ebb. I too think of it every night and it does get under your skin like Robert says. And like another friend said I find my eyes misting over and my heart beating faster whenever I think about it.
But now that I read it described as such, of course loss also is what I am feeling, but still with the vision of going back soon, and planning my life around making it possible. The gain is that somehow I have grown and am growing from this experience-- hopefully for the better of the community around me as well in the process.

Thanks for the opportunity to share and to meet other peregrinos,

Kate

[Lipka149]

... somehow I have grown and am growing from this experience-- hopefully for the better of the community around me as well in the process.

Thanks for the opportunity to share and to meet other peregrinos,

Kate

Yes Leslie, and all of you who work to make this Forum possible, I echo Kate's thank you !

And Kate, you have made this community better by sharing your wonderful sentiments, observations and descriptions. Thank you, too !!!

[zzotte]

Thank you for creating this forum, even though I have not yet walked the camino I would not think of it without this forums help

Thanks
Zo

[Bernie]

Hello people,i have not yet walked the Camino but planning to do so next may/june,this site has been a godsend for information.

Thank you,
Bernie.

[Jessica Krebs]

Hello!
Supreme thanks to everyone. I begin mi Camino in September. Can't wait!

[DannyPye]

Hi everyone, my name is Danny and I was introduced to the idea of St. James way by a friend and as I spend much of my free time hiking through the lakes, Scotland and Wales etc I thought I would look into it. So far I find this site to be the most informative for English speaking viewers and just wanted to say hello and thank you.

Danny, 20, Cheshire, UK

[netia]

Hi everyone! I'm in the final stages of planning for my first camino...solo. i'm confident that i'm mentally and physically fit ...but i'm well aware that anything can happen!!
If anyone has last minute advice on medical kits etc. I would much appreciate it.
Also, I am hoping to take my Ipad, so i can communicate with family and friends. What unforeseen problems am i likely to run up against?
Netia

[Caminobd]

Hi terra.

I'm new as well. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible for a pilgrimage next summer from St. Jean to Santiago and am pleased to be able to read as much of others experiences as possible before then. Are you planning to walk any part of Camino de Santiago?

[nollaigc]

RE: Say Hello,
First time to post but a big reader of all the Camino Forums- you can never have too much information.
I have got to say 'Great Work Leslie', this website is a mighty resource!
This will be our fourth camino and we are more excited than ever and we are not kids.
So if anyone comes across a smart-assed Irishman and an even more smarted-assed Englishman, somewhere between SJPD and Logrono(30/9-10/10), say high- we won't bite.

NollaigC

[snowlion]

im proud and pleased to be new here on this forum!!! i am joining becuase i am planning to walk the camino next year - so i thought i would join and pop in here for some tips and information etc!!! all the best ...david

[grayland]

Welcome to all of the people (Pilgrims to be) who are new to the forum.
Be very comfortable in asking questions or for advice. The experienced members here welcome your interest.
Buen Camino.
Ed

[HuskyNerd]

Welcome to the Forum, David, and congrats on your upcoming camino!

[snowlion]

thanks for the welcome guys. ive been browsing the forum for a few tips etc.

my plan is to do the whole of the camino - dont ask me where im starting becuase i dont know! i am following my friend edmundo, he is my inpsiration for the trip - he did 10 days this year and wants to go back next year for the whole lot - so i presume we may be starting in st jean or roncevalles or somewhere thereabouts.....although he lives in huesca so maybe we start from there???
i have set aside enought time for the trip, i will not be booking a return flight so i wont have any deadlines to make. i am allowing maybe 6 weeks.
i am a total novice walker, a bit unfit, so i am starting some longish walks now ( 3 to 4 hours ) and then building up from there, luckily where i live is lovely walking country.
kitwise i have decided to try and keep it under 5kg plus water and snacks. so ill be buying myself a nice small pack, plan to try a few on this week. ill be looking at deuters, gregory and an osprey if i can find one. im a bit of a gear freak so its a nice opportunity to do a bit of research and hopefully tracking down the right stuff. footwear wise i think im going to get some trekking sandals, probably some ecco's. ill also be taking my trusty alpkit carbon trekking poles.
we will be travelling in september mainly, i hope i can get away without taking a proper sleeping bag as such - i have two silk sleeping bag liners, i was thinking of taking both of those.
ive been reading about footcare - vaseline, compeed etc etc and all this aspect is a bit new to me. is there a different regime for sandal as opposed to boot wearers?
im really excited, i wish i could get stuck in tomorrow. but i suppose the expectation is all part of the excitement.

[Pam]

I am so glad to have this forum. Thank you for offering it so this pre-Pilgrim can learn and prepare for my walk in September. I have studied the road for many years, but this year I will spend 35 days on the road to celebrate my 60th birthday!

May whoever is reading this post be blessed and filled with God's joy and peace.

Hello Susan. I am planning to walk the Camino to celebrate 59/60 years of my own life here on this earth. As I have been reading and planning I realized I want to walk to celebrate these good years. I am of the Camino will speak to me and I will listen. I would enjoy hearing about your Camino and any tips you have. I am starting at Sarria in June 2012. I hope you were indeed blessed and filled with Gods joy and peace. Pam

[Pam]

Hi everyone! I'm in the final stages of planning for my first camino...solo. i'm confident that i'm mentally and physically fit ...but i'm well aware that anything can happen!!
If anyone has last minute advice on medical kits etc. I would much appreciate it.
Also, I am hoping to take my Ipad, so i can communicate with family and friends. What unforeseen problems am i likely to run up against?
Netia

Hello. Did you take your iPad? With what result? Pam

[Rogerio Wagner]

Hi, my name is Rogerio Wagner, from São Paulo - Brazil. I've readed the forum anonymously for some weeks, learning from others experience and planning (for 2nd time) my first camino (frances).

[netia]

Good luck Rogerio!! You will have the experience of a lifetime : ) I finished walking my first Camino on September 27th and had the most amazing time! Netia

[netia]

Hello. Did you take your iPad? With what result? Pam

Hi Pam, Yes I did take my ipad and it was invaluable as I wrote a blog which I was able to update almost every day, as wifi was available in the majority of places...even the very small villages. I was also able to upload my photos each day to facebook...so not only were my family and friends able to read about my experience they were also able to see, most days, the terrain that we walked through. Now that I'm back in Australia, I have a wonderful pictorial diary, which when I read back on it.....I'm flooded with the most wonderful memories : ) If you're interested my blog address is wheresnetia.wordpress.com
Good luck Pam....and have so much fun!
Netia

[Rogerio Wagner]

Good luck Rogerio!! You will have the experience of a lifetime : ) I finished walking my first Camino on September 27th and had the most amazing time! Netia

Hi Netia, i read a lot of posts that you made before you leave Oz, now i've bookmarked your blog to read with care. Do you have more pictures on Facebook?

[netia]

Hi Rogerio, Yes I have all my photos on facebook...each day I loaded the photos from that day...which sort of correspond to my blog.
Hope you enjoy reading it, when you have time : ) Netia