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Dear Mary,<br>
Stop worrying! By the sounds of things you're in much better physical shape
than I was. Oh I paid the price, but I would do it again (and actually plan
to do it again) as soon as possible. If your husband "has his heart set on
it" and he wants you to be with him, go. GO! I think everyone on all the
lists you joined (I got your message three different ways!) will agree that
the details take care of themselves. We stayed in refugios sometimes and
in small hotels other times. There are two small hotels in Roncesvalle that
are clean and comfortable. In many places you can make reservations at a
hostel so you know you have a bed. Use the next several weeks to get into
shape by walking with your pack. Do some hill walking as well as flatland.
Others will have tons of practical advice. Go. best wishes, Lydia<br>
<br>
Anne Burke wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid20040215090449.30952.qmailaweb13304.mail.yahoo.com">
<div>Mary</div>
<div>I began the Camino last year on the 23 September from St Jean Pied
de Port after arriving from Bayonne the day before. SJPP proved to be a lovely
surprise and we spent the day walking the cobblestones, visiting the citadel
and finally to "Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques des Pyrenees" and a most
wonderfully helpful Frenchman who told us it was the best thing we'd ever
do. He said for my friend and I (both 50+) and her 15 year old daughter it
would be first and foremost a journey of the heart.We filled out the forms
and he gave us our credentials and went through the Liste de Refuges with
us. He told us where we would "dominate" and where we wouldn't:-) From there
we went to 'L'Esprit du Chemin" for our overnight accommodation and at 6.30am
with our breakfast in our packs, we klomped on the cobblestones in the half
light....like so many pilgrims for so many centuries before us. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Reality, as it does, bit us hard:-) The scenery was stunning but the
area where we were to"dominate" with the eagles turned into the first of
many disasters! The wind began, then rain and finally hail. At one point
the wind blew so hard, my poncho took off and landed on a sheep! Then the
mist rolled in....etc etc Despite the huge numbers who finish (and we were
three of them 34 days later.....sans bus trips!) many people began that day
but most certainly didn't continue.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>11 hours later, Mary, we arrived in Roncesvalles and stayed an extra
day before walking the next stage to Zubiri.Yes, the hardest day of the Camino.
No, I wouldn't stay in Hounnto if I was to do it again- it's not far enough
along the way. What we had to learn was to keep going despite any hardship....a
lesson we had to refer to many times later on our journey. But ....we did
it!! And it was that day we became pilgrims.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Anne</div>
<div> </div>
<div><br>
<br>
<br>
<b><i>Pat Harrison <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Pilgrim_OCDSaATT.NET"><Pilgrim_OCDSaATT.NET></a></i></b> wrote:</div>
<blockquote class="replbq"
style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16,16,255); padding-left: 5px; margin-left: 5px;">Hello
All:<br>
<br>
I am new to this email list. I am writing to help me make a decision about
doing the Camino with my husband this year. Right now, I do not feel that
I am in good shape and don't know if the next four months of getting into
shape would be sufficient to do the Camino. My husband has his heart set
on doing the Camino and I don't want to disappoint him. Yet, I am 55 years
old and aware of my limitations. If we went, we would leave on May 23rd and
fly into Paris. We would start the pilgrimage in St. Jean. I have reservations
about hiking through the Pyrenees.<br>
Could someone give me an idea of how rigorous the hike through the mountains
would be to get to Roncevalles?<br>
<br>
Also, in reading various email threads, I learned that 600,000 to 900,000
people are estimated to do the Camino this year. Another concern is about
sleeping accomodations. I don't really wan! t to sleep on the floor of
a Refugio if there are no more beds available or sleep on the ground under
some tent that the Spanish army would set up. Did anyone do the Camino in
1999 when St. James feastday fell on a Sunday, too? If so, what were the
crowds like, what does one do if there are no sleeping accomodations? It
is the unknown that is causing me to have anxiety. Any information would
be beneficial to help me make a decision.<br>
<br>
Thanks very much!<br>
<br>
Mary Frances Harrison</blockquote>
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</blockquote>
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