Christmas on the camino

[er325]

Hi everyone,
I am a third year medical student in the US. The summer before I started med school I did the Camino del Norte--one of the best decisions of my life!

Now fast forward to third year. I took my boards in June, started third year a week later and went through a torturous break-up that stretched over about three months just recently. I couldn't figure out how to be happy again, and then I remembered...the Camino!! So with my parents blessing I'm leaning towards skipping Christmas and spending my break on the Camino Frances!

I thought it would be fun to see if I could start a thread for people doing the Camino over Christmas. I want to hear about why people are doing it, any extra plans for staying warm, etc. Also if anyone has questions, as a veteran I could probably give my thoughts on how to prepare .

 

[whariwharangi]

A few years ago I spent some time learning Spanish. The time in Spain included time over Christmas. One thing I remember being very impressed by is that people in Spain take their holiday's very seriously. NOTHING is open Christmas eve or Christmas day. I mean NOTHING.

I would expect that you might find an albergue open (MAYBE) but certainly not a restaurant, bar, mom & pop, or grocery store.

Couple that with a Sunday when almost everything is closed and the tendency for things to close early every day ... well ... you need to plan your victuals well in advance.

I guess this is meant to say that you may encounter logistics problems when you need them most.

 

[norelle]

Don't forget to search the forum - I remember reading a pligrim blog where she spent Christmas at Granon! Sounded wonderful.

Another Australian pilgrim was on the Camino Frances last Christmas and I'm sure her blog is somewhere on the forum - sorry I can't help with links.

buen camino

 

[mikevasey]

Until recently I was thinking of starting on the Frances on the 22 December and walking for about 28/29 days, but have changed it so I start on the 2nd January. In the research for the Xmas period I realised that only very few Albergues are open year after year, Granon being one of them. The others change, even if they are not officially open, they might open depending on what the Owners/ Hospitalero(a) plans are for the holiday period, if they are in a good mood that day, if they do or don't like the look of you etc. It seems to be a totally random thing, however that is part of the attraction of walking at that period, it really is an adventure. There will be other pilgrims, Koreans seem to like walking at this time. Some people will be quite pragmatic about it and get buses and taxis when they run into a no accommodation situation, others will sleep on church porches, a good roll mat or sleeping rest will be essential, down bags could end up being useless because of the damp conditions.
If you do walk over Xmas I will envy you, it is a very special time to walk and the Frances is a very special Camino.

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Not Christmas, but the same season:

http://kaybeetravels.blogspot.com/2009/01/pamplona-to-puente-de-la.html

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Includes Christmas:

http://www.jo-camino.blogspot.com/search/label/Day 27

 

[cher99840]

I couldn't figure out how to be happy again, and then I remembered...the Camino!! So with my parents blessing I'm leaning towards skipping Christmas and spending my break on the Camino Frances.

For what it is worth, I think it is a lovely idea, and since you've already accomplished the Norte, you have some idea of what you are getting yourself into. I'm not sure how long your break is, so am wondering how much of the Frances you want to do. Buen Camino. Keep us posted please.

 

[Al the optimist]

Watch out for Three Kings day on January 6th! You might have trouble that day and the previous.

 

[er325]

Thanks everyone! I will definitely look into where to sleep on the days around Christmas. I already have 2 compostelas, and haven't really decided if I will go for one this time or just walk. My dates are December 18-January 2 or so since I need to be back for school January 5. So I guess I miss the other big holiday. The Frances seemed like a big tourist trap when we intersected with it from the Norte, so I am quite excited to get to see it in low season .

 

[Al the optimist]

I have corrected my post above. Originally I had said to watch out for the 6th and the day after when I meant the 6th and the day before as events begin on the evening of the 5th and there may be some disruption that day.

 

[waveprof]

Watch out for Three Kings day on January 6th! You might have trouble that day and the previous.

That's actually bigger in most of Spain than Christmas day, although that will begin the evening of the fifth. That is when Spanish children get their presents*, delivered by the three kings (rather than Santa).


* Not how it works in Basqueland however. There they have taken their own figure of Olentzero and co-opted him as a semi-Santa Claus figure
http://www.nabasque.org/old_nabo/NABO/Olentzero.htm

 

[Al the optimist]

Olentzero

Yes, In Bilbao I have seen him hanging off balconies climbing up to get in. Very festive.