Hi Britt – good on you for planning to give the Camino a go. I see the other old hands are giving you some good advice, and while in danger of sounding like your mother I’ll add some more (and yes this is the advise I gave my own kiwi daughter on her first Camino).
NEVERs – I can’t stress Janet’s comment enough, weeks on the road with people little things like this get noticed and really piss people off. Pack the night before, get up and go, makes the day run smoothly.
DONTs – walk in the heat of the day. It’s madness. Try to start early, aim to get to your destination for lunch (between 1-3pm) this will mean you can eat or get your shopping done, before everything closes down for the day (and you are not walking in the afternoon heat), otherwise you will find yourself circling the town with the rest of the hungry pilgrims at 9 o’clock at night.
READ - Before you go, do read and research where you plan to go. While it’s nice to go with the flow, the Camino has an amazing history and a real pain when you realise that 50km back was an amazing church / roman bridge / view / parador you wanted to see. Make the trip your own – pick a starting point that you are interested in, and make the most of the trip and places you pass through. If you start at Roncesvalles then you should do it in 5 weeks, especially as oldies like us did if from St Jean in 4. But also take a look at alternative routes; the VIP is a great alternative.
ATMs- yes they work fine, and take kiwi efpos / Aussie cards. 300 Euro goes a long way on the Camino and it’s good not to carry too much cash on you at any one time. Just keep your cards and passport safe somewhere safe.
PHONE – Take it if you must, probably a good idea if you are heading off on your own. But turn it off, not just to save the battery but also to save annoying the be-jezeus out of us old crankies who hate the things going beep beep, and try and avoid txting or calling to say “guess where I am”, its just lame and will deprive you of the wonderful experience that dropping out on the Camino gives. But your Mum will probably enjoy the odd call to let her know you are still alive, and if you don’t call she may contact the Guardia Seville to search for you as my daughter did when we went off the grid for too long.
SEND POSTCARDs – old fashion yes, but a handwritten note is something people keep and treasure… and it satisfies the base craving to go NahNahNah I am on exotic holiday and you’re not… not very Christian of me I know.
PACK - Proper harness, whatever the size, we use Mac pac (but then most kiwis do). If you go in spring as you plan you won’t need a 65L pack, a 30L pack is fine, aim or 7kg fully loaded (without water) or lighter. As your sleeping bag will take up most of the room in your pack, see if you can get a lightweight one (Mac pac do a good one) or ditch it and take a sleep sack / sheet as the refuges have blankets, a bit manky but useable. Take some merino tramping thermals; check out icebreaker no stink range as these allow you to layer up to keep warm. Take less clothes but make sure it all can be hand washed and dry overnight.
WATER - Camels are great, but take a back up bottle of water as you can easily drink through 2/3 L with the constant sipping. Lots of places to fill up, but not always when you need them.
BOTAS? Walking shoes (Merrell do a great range) not boots – sandals are a good alternative too. NZ tramping boots will give you problems as they are not designed for hard rock Camino walking everyday – and grease your feet with a good foot cream every day before you set off – this is very important (and hard earned) advise.
And do not think you can send your pack or stuff ahead. Alberuges will not let you in if the discover you are “auto-assit” as you are not a real pilgrim. Pack properly and carry it yourself, you will also benefit of the pride in completing the Camino “properly”.
Have a great time!
And most important of all.
Pack light, and look after your feet. You will be fine.
