Been there, done that

[Atina Diffley]

Hi Ben -

I'm hoping to walk the camino in February.

Is there a lot of public access to internet along the way?

atina
>
> Hello All,
>
> Oct. 2002 my girlfriend and I did the Camino starting in St. Jean Pier du
> Port and finishing in Santiago de Compostela (4 weeks total).  I was
> listening to some music today that reminded me of the camino, so I decided
> to re-subscribe to the listserv.  I would be happy to answer any questions
> anyone would have about the experience or our preparations.  There were a
> number of very helpful people here who also have websites (can't remember
> them at the moment though, although E.O. Peterson rings a bell) that I found
> invaluable.  Some things that I would HIGHLY recommend above all else is
> proper shoes and socks, and ESPECIALLY in Galicia some decent rain gear.  We
> had some U.S. military issue rain ponchos that fit over ourselves and our
> gear, but if we do it again we will have pants, jackets, and backpack
> specific covers.  Waterproof/goretex shoes are a plus, and a good pair of
> Gators to wear over your shoes to keep out water and mud really made a
> difference (one again, especially in Galicia).
>
> After 10 days straight hiking with few to no rest stops, my feet looked like
> ground beef.  I cannot stress how important taking a break occasionally and
> taking off your shoes is.  There are plently of bars/cafes along the way
> where you can take a break and get a cup of vino, or just crash anywhere
> along the trail.  Be social, try learning some simple Spanish.   You can get
> by without knowning the language, but any little bit helps.
>
> Getting off my soap box, one final thing.  Keeping in mind that the camino
> is not about how much pain I could take was an invaluable lesson I learned
> (finally!!!) in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
>
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