[Gocamino] Seeking wisdom...

[Mary V. Wallis]

Hi both and thanks for your query. I was short on time in 1998 and walked 
the Camino from Pamplona - it worked out really well and I got to Santiago. 
You can get a bus from Madrid to Pamplona and then just make your way to the 
refugio there for the night before taking off next day. I wd be a pity to 
start in St. Jean but only make it to Astorga or Ponferrada - I suggest you 
consider starting further in on the route so you can get to Santiago.

I went 2ce along the Camino frances. Spring is exceedingly pleasant with the 
flowers, but also has a higher risk of rain. no big deal, really. August is 
hot but dry and I loved it at that time. September, they say, is great and 
has a lot fewer pilgrims due to many Spaniards being back to work, so no 
worries at all about getting into a refugio for the night.

Options for staying? you're pilgrims! stay in the refugios of course! If 
after a few nights you want more privacy or less snoring, there are lots of 
little hotels and pensions. But you will miss the pilgrim-ness of the trip, 
and you will undoubtedly find the pilgrim company extremely rewarding.

take less than you think you need. you can always buy essentials if you 
need. minimize toiletries. you need some all-purpose soap for you, your hair 
and your laundry. you need a towel. Take a pair of light water-repellent 
sandals for showers or around the refugios or if you just want to air your 
feet. forget fashion. forget cosmetics. live light. take a hat with a brim. 
plan to leave a lot of your walking duds in Santiago. old t-shirts. I didn't 
take shorts - just long lightweight pants to protect legs from the sun and I 
cd roll them up if I had to.  don't take jeans - too heavy, they're cold 
when it's cold, hot when it's hot, and they take forever to dry.

other thoughts - don't think so much about the plans, money, reservations. 
just think about what it means for you to be a pilgrim. Get the Everest 
Guide or other one you like. Follow it and don't get hung up on options, 
sightseeing, etc. Stay loose. Just keep walking to Santiago, and reflect on 
what it is like.

that's all!

Buen Camino!!

Mary Wallis

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wes & Rita" <wesrita at comcast.net>
To: <gocamino at oakapple.net>
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 7:57 PM
Subject: [Gocamino] Seeking wisdom...


> We brand new members of your group and are planning to walk part of the 
> Camino this year.  We would love to hear advice and thoughts from folks 
> about the following things::
>
> What is the best time of the year to go (we can only do 4 weeks) and why?
>
> What is the best section to walk for 4 weeks, and why?
>
> What do you think of the options for sleeping from hostel type 
> accomodations to budget places -- what are they, what would we need to 
> have with us, how to choose?
>
> What do we most need to have with us if we are trying to dramatically 
> minimize the size of our load (we would not be camping and we will not be 
> cooking any meals).
>
> Any other thoughts/advice you think novices on the Camino (but not novice 
> walkers) could use -- clothes, money, reservations or not, routes, and 
> especially must sees and must dos, must not dos, et al would be much 
> appreciated.
>
> We have walked  the Coast to Coast (England), Offa's Dyke (Wales), and the 
> West Highland Way (Scotland), and have done much hiking in the Olympics, 
> Rockies, and Cascades here in the States.  Looking forward to hearing from 
> many of you...
>
> Rita and Wes
> wesrita at comcast.net
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