Travel day tomorrow and Thursday back to my restart point in Lleida on the Camno. Final Mass before departure, this morning, at our Parish was a beauiful Traditional Latin Mass. Negative test -- Signs and Portents -- yes, I am on my Way !!!
On the lonliness...I m surprised it's raised an an issue. Firstly, there are plenty of people walking your direction. Secondly, and for me, I just prayed at every church and cross I encountered on the route.
Biggest fear I had was finding a bed (Frances, Sept/Oct 2016). The bed race was certainly on and I hated it. So, I started booking ahead and maybe spent a little too much on private albergues and pensions by the end. I enjoyed the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage in Japan (Sept/Oct 2019) much more as no bed race - it made such a difference.
Yes the bed race can be a distraction, particularly in busy months like May and September. Best to try to avoid it. Some Potential Tips for Newbies. If you find you are competing for beds......... (1) Avoid choke points (like Zubiri) or make sure you book those locations. (2) Stay in mid point locations, not popular 'end of stage' locations. (3) If you seem to be in a wave of Pilgrims, drop 'off the back' of the wave by walking slower or talking a day off, or get ahead of the wave somehow. Again, for Newbies. The 'Bed Race' mainly occurs amongst those seeking cheap Albergue accommodation, that is often not bookable. Hence the 'race' to get in the line for beds. Think of ways to avoid it...........
Hello Rob, first of all, thank you for your videos, they are the most helpful of all for me. I'm planning to go this year (on the French route) - and my biggest dilemma is wether I should go in the summer (when it is quite hot there) or in autumn (when it is rainier). Could you please help me with this topic - in your opinion which season would be the best to go? Thank you in advance.
It’s a very personal choice. I would find summer too hot and winter too cold. That leaves spring and autumn, with spring/early summer being the most popular time, and busiest.
Hello Rob, I'm thinking about the Camino Norte, I will be walking solo and although I'm an experienced hiker, I'm afraid of the physical rigour required on that route.
Wow, you touched on all my fears so thank you so much! I want to go with my flow, walk slow and be flexible. How do I figure out my return date based on not actually knowing how long I’ll take? I plan to walk the Frances route and starting in Burgos. I don’t know return date for a flight home. After your video, that’s my last concern.
There are a couple of approaches you could take. (1) Book a flexible return flight that allows you to change the date. Might only be a day or two. This is what I do. (2) Allow 2-3 days 'buffer' and book the return on that basis. You might use the time for an extra rest day, or keep it for emergencies, or use it at the end to relax and sight see. I also do this. (3) If all else fails and you are running behind schedule, jump forward a day or two on a bus, taxi, train. Just not in the last 100 kms if you want a Compostela.
@@robscamino Thank you so much and for these videos. You’re talking about things many Camino UA-camrs are not. Hugely, hugely appreciated. Oh, and thank you for approaching our fears with compassion and understanding.
You will occasionally hear these reports. Wild stray dogs? No, never heard that. Maybe the odd aggressive farm dog protecting it’s yard. There was one notorious one on the Camino Invierno that seems to have been taken care of. I once met a pack of small yappy farm dogs, and whilst noisy they were harmless.
@@robscamino that's good.... I don't know which video I watched earlier today but your point about not showering in morning so as to not get wet feet then blisters seemed brilliant. I'd never have realised a connection. These kind of tips are so helpful ( in theory - I'm not going anywhere ... but I can dream and sure it will be useful one day ☺)
@@azby7933 I'm somewhat paranoid about getting blisters, and so do everything to avoid them! 40 years ago, when I used to do a lot of hiking, I would get terrible blisters.......
I am kind of worried about getting my stuff stolen in a albergues. Things like wallet, cell phone, chargers, passport. The important stuff I can't lose. People say that you should bring the stuff into the shower with you, but I still worry.
Hi William. I tend to stay in private accommodation, or private room in Albergues. But I will be using the shared accommodation / communal living next time. I am not worried about theft. Yes, it can happen, but is not common. It seems to be thieves posing as Pilgrims. The 'accepted' precautions are (1) have a small grab bag to take with you everywhere including the shower. Put into that, passport, phone, money etc. (2) Don't leave valuables in plain sight. (3) Don't cash too much cash. I carry enough for 4 or 5 days. (4) I carry a backup ATM card in a separate place to my other valuables. Bottom line is, theft can happen. Just take precautions and be sensible. Lastly, in three Caminos I don't know anyone who had anything stolen. But it can happen...... P.S. When I'm walking I have a small fabric chest wallet with a loop around my next. Others use belt wallets etc.
Where do you go to the bathroom on the road? Do you carry toilet paper? Would a woman be better off wearing a skirt or a dress so they don’t have to disrobe? What about the Miseta where it’s all open and no privacy?
Hi Pauline. Yes a common concern. If you are on a popular route like the Frances, you are never more than an hour or two from a village (with cafe and facilities). But Yes, we carry a bit of TP, just in case. Make sure to buy some rather than take if from the bars/cafes. (they go through a lot). My wife Pat needs to stop to pee a lot. She wears hiking pants and it was never any problem. Make sure not to leave the TP behind, but take it with you in a ziplock bag or doggie poop bag. Pat used a ziplock bag and just rinsed it each day. You get very expert at finding discrete places to stop and pee. Just be aware others will have been there before you and may have left a surprise! We carry a tint light trowel to bury more serious business. (and carry the paper out) Whilst the Meseta is quite barren, you will still find a spot, even a dip in the ground will screen you from view for a minute or two. A common concern, so thanks for asking.
I was thinking that maybe if you are not used to hiking ypu could try skirt or trousers at home in the shower or bathtub to see what would work better for you...
Hmm. #9 😳 I haven't been bitten yet or even seen one, but I'm very careful. Once I arrive at my accommodation I carefuly check the bed, particularly the seams of the mattress.
One fear after walking the Camino, at least for me, is eating too much. I’m used to eating chocolate, and everything I want, and not gaining any weight, then when I get home, I continue eating the same and start putting on a lot of weight.
👇 TIMESTAMPS (in case you want to skip) 👇 00:00 - Intro 02:09 - Being Alone 05:42 - Can You Get Lost? 07:33 - Clothing & Equipment 08:34 - Fitness 10:00 - Safety 10:59 - Where will you sleep? 15:35 - Injuries 17:30 - Food and Water 20:32 - Recap 22:48 - Outro
Pilgrims have been walking the various Camino de Santiago routes for over 1,000 years. You have little to fear.
Yes.. Since 891 ad.
That's what my tee shirt says.😂
thank you so much for all the information and encouragement!
My pleasure. thanks for watching.
Travel day tomorrow and Thursday back to my restart point in Lleida on the Camno.
Final Mass before departure, this morning, at our Parish was a beauiful Traditional Latin Mass.
Negative test -- Signs and Portents -- yes, I am on my Way !!!
Have fun! Very jealous......🙂
I wore a pair of old running shoes, but they where padded in the sole for running during my whole Camino...
No foot problems at all.
Glad it worked for you
On the lonliness...I m surprised it's raised an an issue.
Firstly, there are plenty of people walking your direction.
Secondly, and for me, I just prayed at every church and cross I encountered on the route.
Depends on the route of course. On my last Camino I didn't meet a another Pilgrim for the first week, and all the churches were closed. (VdlP
Biggest fear I had was finding a bed (Frances, Sept/Oct 2016). The bed race was certainly on and I hated it. So, I started booking ahead and maybe spent a little too much on private albergues and pensions by the end. I enjoyed the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage in Japan (Sept/Oct 2019) much more as no bed race - it made such a difference.
Yes the bed race can be a distraction, particularly in busy months like May and September. Best to try to avoid it. Some Potential Tips for Newbies. If you find you are competing for beds......... (1) Avoid choke points (like Zubiri) or make sure you book those locations. (2) Stay in mid point locations, not popular 'end of stage' locations. (3) If you seem to be in a wave of Pilgrims, drop 'off the back' of the wave by walking slower or talking a day off, or get ahead of the wave somehow. Again, for Newbies. The 'Bed Race' mainly occurs amongst those seeking cheap Albergue accommodation, that is often not bookable. Hence the 'race' to get in the line for beds. Think of ways to avoid it...........
Hello Rob, first of all, thank you for your videos, they are the most helpful of all for me. I'm planning to go this year (on the French route) - and my biggest dilemma is wether I should go in the summer (when it is quite hot there) or in autumn (when it is rainier). Could you please help me with this topic - in your opinion which season would be the best to go? Thank you in advance.
It’s a very personal choice. I would find summer too hot and winter too cold. That leaves spring and autumn, with spring/early summer being the most popular time, and busiest.
@@robscamino Thank you. Then October seems to be the best option for me. I will think about it. 😊👍
Hello Rob, I'm thinking about the Camino Norte, I will be walking solo and although I'm an experienced hiker, I'm afraid of the physical rigour required on that route.
I haven't walked the Norte, but I have heard it is tougher than other routes. As an experienced Hiker I'm sure you'll be OK.
Don'r bring a stupid big back pack.
You going there to walk (and pray I hope) and not "to carry".
People like to be in each other's company. It's in their human nature.
Very true. I love to walk alone, but it's nice to have company at the end of the day...
@@robscamino 🙂
Wow, you touched on all my fears so thank you so much! I want to go with my flow, walk slow and be flexible. How do I figure out my return date based on not actually knowing how long I’ll take? I plan to walk the Frances route and starting in Burgos. I don’t know return date for a flight home. After your video, that’s my last concern.
There are a couple of approaches you could take. (1) Book a flexible return flight that allows you to change the date. Might only be a day or two. This is what I do. (2) Allow 2-3 days 'buffer' and book the return on that basis. You might use the time for an extra rest day, or keep it for emergencies, or use it at the end to relax and sight see. I also do this. (3) If all else fails and you are running behind schedule, jump forward a day or two on a bus, taxi, train. Just not in the last 100 kms if you want a Compostela.
@@robscamino Thank you so much and for these videos. You’re talking about things many Camino UA-camrs are not. Hugely, hugely appreciated. Oh, and thank you for approaching our fears with compassion and understanding.
@@brendaoquin We all have those fears at first Brenda 🙂
I read in one book there were packs of wild stray dogs that chased people in certain areas. Is that still true?
You will occasionally hear these reports. Wild stray dogs? No, never heard that. Maybe the odd aggressive farm dog protecting it’s yard. There was one notorious one on the Camino Invierno that seems to have been taken care of. I once met a pack of small yappy farm dogs, and whilst noisy they were harmless.
@@robscamino that's good.... I don't know which video I watched earlier today but your point about not showering in morning so as to not get wet feet then blisters seemed brilliant. I'd never have realised a connection. These kind of tips are so helpful ( in theory - I'm not going anywhere ... but I can dream and sure it will be useful one day ☺)
@@azby7933 I'm somewhat paranoid about getting blisters, and so do everything to avoid them! 40 years ago, when I used to do a lot of hiking, I would get terrible blisters.......
I am kind of worried about getting my stuff stolen in a albergues. Things like wallet, cell phone, chargers, passport. The important stuff I can't lose. People say that you should bring the stuff into the shower with you, but I still worry.
Hi William. I tend to stay in private accommodation, or private room in Albergues. But I will be using the shared accommodation / communal living next time. I am not worried about theft. Yes, it can happen, but is not common. It seems to be thieves posing as Pilgrims. The 'accepted' precautions are (1) have a small grab bag to take with you everywhere including the shower. Put into that, passport, phone, money etc. (2) Don't leave valuables in plain sight. (3) Don't cash too much cash. I carry enough for 4 or 5 days. (4) I carry a backup ATM card in a separate place to my other valuables. Bottom line is, theft can happen. Just take precautions and be sensible. Lastly, in three Caminos I don't know anyone who had anything stolen. But it can happen...... P.S. When I'm walking I have a small fabric chest wallet with a loop around my next. Others use belt wallets etc.
@@robscamino Thank you
Where do you go to the bathroom on the road? Do you carry toilet paper? Would a woman be better off wearing a skirt or a dress so they don’t have to disrobe? What about the Miseta where it’s all open and no privacy?
Hi Pauline. Yes a common concern. If you are on a popular route like the Frances, you are never more than an hour or two from a village (with cafe and facilities). But Yes, we carry a bit of TP, just in case. Make sure to buy some rather than take if from the bars/cafes. (they go through a lot). My wife Pat needs to stop to pee a lot. She wears hiking pants and it was never any problem. Make sure not to leave the TP behind, but take it with you in a ziplock bag or doggie poop bag. Pat used a ziplock bag and just rinsed it each day. You get very expert at finding discrete places to stop and pee. Just be aware others will have been there before you and may have left a surprise! We carry a tint light trowel to bury more serious business. (and carry the paper out) Whilst the Meseta is quite barren, you will still find a spot, even a dip in the ground will screen you from view for a minute or two. A common concern, so thanks for asking.
Toilet Tips from my 'Boss' Pat. ua-cam.com/video/8tTKSbXLmUU/v-deo.html
I was thinking that maybe if you are not used to hiking ypu could try skirt or trousers at home in the shower or bathtub to see what would work better for you...
My biggest fear is bed bugs.
Hmm. #9 😳 I haven't been bitten yet or even seen one, but I'm very careful. Once I arrive at my accommodation I carefuly check the bed, particularly the seams of the mattress.
One fear after walking the Camino, at least for me, is eating too much. I’m used to eating chocolate, and everything I want, and not gaining any weight, then when I get home, I continue eating the same and start putting on a lot of weight.
Yes. I eat like a Horse on the Camino! And when I get home, try to cut back, and still end up eating like an Ass !
So true 😆
👇 TIMESTAMPS (in case you want to skip) 👇
00:00 - Intro
02:09 - Being Alone
05:42 - Can You Get Lost?
07:33 - Clothing & Equipment
08:34 - Fitness
10:00 - Safety
10:59 - Where will you sleep?
15:35 - Injuries
17:30 - Food and Water
20:32 - Recap
22:48 - Outro
Losing your cell phone.
Yes indeed! Though my fear would be losing all the photos and video rather than the device itself. (That could be replaced) So I upload regularly.