Dear Clarisa!
The first time I walked the Camino was a year after breastcancer diagnosis. Together with my daughter I walked the last 110 km from Sarria to Santiago (in oct,). It was probably the greatest achievement of my life I thought then... I was so impressed by the people I met who had walked ALL the way from Saint-jean-pied-de-port. Could I ever be able to do that?
The next year I did part of the Camino on bicycle with my husband (in may) - we did more than 400 km. That was quite hard I think - and it went much too fast! Now I was determined to do the the complete thing by foot.
From the first time I had learnt that preparation is a must! We did not prepare much that time, and our feet was not prepared for such a walk, we walked 110 km in five days. I had lots of blisters and terrible pain. I could walk the pain away, but as soon as I stopped and started walking again..it was horrible for some minutes !!!
Last year was determined to do everything right. (15th aug)First of all I did lot of practise.Starting in may I walked 15-20 km once a week with backpack 5kg. this I did for two months. In july I walked 10 km a day with backpack. The last 14 days prior to departure I walked appr. 20 km. a day. (give or take a few).
I walked with different shoes, boots and sandals. I ended up with some lightweight walking shoes (asics) and a pair of sandals MBT (masai body technique). This way I could switch from shoes to sandals half way during the day which was an extremely good idea! This time I walked all the way - no bus or taxi involved!
I was sure there would be a place to sleep provided for me - it never failed.
I had invested in a "drinking bag" 2 litres wich could go in my backpack and a tube you know. I did not like it. Too complicated I think. When I went back to carrying a bottle I had a one litre bottle and that was always enough.But some days I would carry an extra 1/2 litre if I knew water would be scarce. This is no problem!
As to the packing: yes that is a fine art. Half way (Burgos) I sent some stuff home, f.i. my sleeping bag, which left me with my silk sleeping cover (bag). That was not a good idea. It had been hot up till then but after Burgos the weather became colder and in Astorga I bought the smallest blanket in fleece I could find. (70x180 cm) that was fine. Most places in the heights had blankets (or could provide one).
Contents of backpack: one extra underwear, one short and one long trousers, one pareo (also used as towel - evening dress etc., one extra pair of socks, one long sleeve lightweight blouse, one shortsleeve t-shirt. One fleece jacket. (in Astorga i bought one pair of long woolen thights). One rain thing to put over me and the backpack. I did not think it worked well - often the wind took the big thing, and my trousers got wet and the sleeves of the blouse. Next time (!?) I will take trousers and jacket light weight raingear.
The very best ting was the Camino guide! "A Pilgrim's way to the
Camino de Santiago" by John
Brierly that is a must!!! It contains EVERYTHING you need! ISBN no.:1-84409-069-8.
And yes this: my best friend: my backpack. I now have 4 pcs. because I failed to find the right one for several months. I ended up with a "fjaellraeven" whick could be opened lying on the back i.e. just like a suitcase. I know how I the other times have not been able to find what I needed and what I needed always was on the bottom or I had forgot wich pocket I put it in, in the lid or .... This way I could ALWAYS find my stuff without a problem. The lid could be taken off and used as a small bag around the waist, or put on hanging on the front (good for your guide book, and so on..) This way I could switch so the weight also changed a bit).
What else could I tell? I could go on for ages (I have already!) This is good for my - next month I will do a power point presentation of the Camino and whaat it meant to me - at the public library in my town!!
Any other questions? I will be happy to answer
Lots of love
Anne-Marie