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<P><BR><BR></P>Dear Rod </DIV>
<P>I just got back from the camino (absolutely wonderful!) 10 days ago. I caught the train from Madrid to Pamplona (a bit more than 2 weeks walk!) because of the convenience. I was able to check the schedules via the internet before I left <<A href="http://www.renfe.es/">http://www.renfe.es/</A>> and then buy my ticket at the RENFE office at Madrid airport on arrival (no problem, even jetlagged and with minimal Spanish!). It left from Charmartin station which was easily reachable using the Metro. Returning from Santiago to Madrid I took an overnight sleeper which left 10.30 at night and arrived at Madrid at 7.30 in the morning. </P>
<P>Happy Planning!</P>
<P>Kay Young</P>
<P>New Zealand </P>
<P> </P>
<P> </P>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: Rod White <RODaCIRCLEOFHOPE.NET>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
<DIV></DIV>>To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Questions from Philly planner
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 09:19:56 -0500
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Hello everyone,
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Thanks for all the very helpful talk on this list, since I joined! You are
<DIV></DIV>>an interesting, caring group!
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I haven't been learning fast enough from eavesdropping and reading all the
<DIV></DIV>>books. So I decided to ask for some advice.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>1) My wife and I only have three weeks to be pilgrims next summer, but we
<DIV></DIV>>feel quite moved to be on the road to Santiago. I'm thinking we will fly to
<DIV></DIV>>Madrid, where we have friends, and then travel to a spot on the camino where
<DIV></DIV>>we can start our journey. Given that we are 47 and reasonably in shape.
<DIV></DIV>>Where is a good starting place that is about two weeks from Santiago?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>2) I also have not discovered what is the best way to travel from and back
<DIV></DIV>>to Madrid. Is the train a good way to travel in Spain? Have you ever tried
<DIV></DIV>>one-way car rentals?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>3) We are very interested in making kind of a side-pilgrimage on the way
<DIV></DIV>>back to Avila, since we have been greatly influenced by Teresa. Does anyone
<DIV></DIV>>care to give us hints on how to explore there for a day?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Perhaps I am jumbling too many questions together. So I appreciate your
<DIV></DIV>>patience, in advance.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Thanks,
<DIV></DIV>>Rod White
<DIV></DIV>>Philadelphia
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