New Subscriber with questions

[Jessica Hopkins]

Hello All,

I'm thrilled to have found my way to this listserv,
what a wonderful way to communicate! My name is
Jessica Hopkins, I plan to walk the camino starting as
close to 1 May 2001 as I can. I live in California,
USA, though born 51 years ago in Lima, Peru (dad was
Canadian, ergo Hopkins).

Starting Jan 2000 I started receiving "invitations" to
walk the Camino. After about the 5th "coincidence" the
light went on in my thick head, and my heart answered
with a resounding "Yes!" I have been reading
extensively and preparing for my adventure of body,
mind, and spirit.

I have chosen May/June for my pilgrimage for several
reasons, if I've got any of them wrong, please
disabuse me of my thinking asap. 1)It's spring in
Spain, and I LOVE spring. I expect it to be beautiful.
2)It will be less crowded than a month or two later.
I'm hoping I won't find myself in a "race" each day to
find a cot in a refuge. 3). I do not fare well in
really hot weather. I expect that walking at this time
of year, I can mostly escape days in the 80's and 90's
F. (Though I must say that having read the letters in
this list, Sept/Oct sounds good for another year.)

I have read all the letters posted for the last 4
months and have garnered valuable information. Thanks
to all that have contributed. The journey has come
more alive for me, and my preparatory decisions
confirmed or altered with confidence.

Here are a few questions that I have, any replies will
be greatly appreciated:

1). I am trying to find that find line between being
adequately prepared for weather and carrying too much
weight. My first question is, If you have walked the
French route (I'm starting in Roncesvalles) from early
May through late June, what sort of temps and weather
might I expect?

2.) A friend of mine wants to join me for a week of
walking. She is in fair shape, but somewhat portly.
I'm thinking of having her meet me at one of two
possible points along the way a) as she is a choral
founder and director I would love to share the
experience of a Gregorian Mass with her at the church
in Rabanal del Camino, where apparently some monks
from Santo Domingo de Silas hold a daily service. If
this information is correct, I'm wondering about the
surrounding terrain for someone who is not in the best
shape. Any info on how the terrain is for the week
leading to Rabanal, or after Rabanal? b)If the terrain
surrounding Rabanal is challenging, any other flattish
area you can recommend?

3. I am trying to decide on my city of arrival in
Spain, the choices are Madrid, Biblao, and Bacelona.
 From reading and conversations, I am aware of the
attractions of each of those 3 cities and their
"tourist" potential as I adjust to jet lag... however,
as I suffer from motion sickness (talk about childhood
"Sunday drives" into the Andes!!) I'm interested in
the most pain-free arrival to Roncesvalles. Most of
the info I've garnered shows me that Madrid, train to
Pamplona, bus to Roncesvalles seems fairly direct and
pain-free. Anyone have any info on Bilbao -
Roncesvalles?, Barcelona - Roncesvalles? (I have to
admit that for me personally, Madrid scores high on
practicality, but lags behind the other two as a place
to spend any extra days I might have at trip's end.)

Those are my questions for now. Any responses will be
well appreciated. Thank you so much for your time. My
path will follow your footsteps. Blessings, Jessica

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