earnrunner
New Member
Just completed the Camino Frances and thought to share five key insights from my Camino experience with the novice pilgrims:
1. TRAVEL VERY LIGHT. It's better to have less than more; if you'll miss something, you can really buy everything on the way. Every extra gram your are taking, you will carry on your back for about 200 hours of walking. This forum include some very good packing lists so just make sure you are carrying no more than 6-7 kg (to this you'll have to add food and water on the way).
2. EVERYBODY HURTS. SOMETIMES. Be prepared that in one stage or another you are going to experience some serious pains in your legs and might need to slow down or even rest for a day or two. The accumulated distance has its impact and after about 10 days many discover pains in places they didn't know exist. Just except this and try not to worry too much when it happens.
3. IT GET'S COLD. I started the camino in mid-July and used my fleece jacket quite a lot along the way, and also had about 6 days of rain out of my 30 days on the road (but never used my rain coat...). Overall, I spent more time with a long sleeve shirt than with a T-shirt.
4. LEARN SPANISH. Most people you'll meet on the way, both locals and pilgrims, are Spanish (or Italians...) with practically no English. If you want to make friends and communicate your way around, I would recommend some basic Spanish lessons or just to spend 30 days with an audio CD for basic Spanish skills.
5. DON'T PANIC. The camino has been walked by thousands of people for thousands of years. you can do it as well. it's (almost) idiot's proof. Don't spend so much time thinking about it and just come along. It is an experience of lifetime. Enjoy.
Buen Camino everybody!!!
1. TRAVEL VERY LIGHT. It's better to have less than more; if you'll miss something, you can really buy everything on the way. Every extra gram your are taking, you will carry on your back for about 200 hours of walking. This forum include some very good packing lists so just make sure you are carrying no more than 6-7 kg (to this you'll have to add food and water on the way).
2. EVERYBODY HURTS. SOMETIMES. Be prepared that in one stage or another you are going to experience some serious pains in your legs and might need to slow down or even rest for a day or two. The accumulated distance has its impact and after about 10 days many discover pains in places they didn't know exist. Just except this and try not to worry too much when it happens.
3. IT GET'S COLD. I started the camino in mid-July and used my fleece jacket quite a lot along the way, and also had about 6 days of rain out of my 30 days on the road (but never used my rain coat...). Overall, I spent more time with a long sleeve shirt than with a T-shirt.
4. LEARN SPANISH. Most people you'll meet on the way, both locals and pilgrims, are Spanish (or Italians...) with practically no English. If you want to make friends and communicate your way around, I would recommend some basic Spanish lessons or just to spend 30 days with an audio CD for basic Spanish skills.
5. DON'T PANIC. The camino has been walked by thousands of people for thousands of years. you can do it as well. it's (almost) idiot's proof. Don't spend so much time thinking about it and just come along. It is an experience of lifetime. Enjoy.
Buen Camino everybody!!!