guopinc
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2016
Greetings all.
I did Camino del Norte from Irun to Santiago this Sep, it was my first camino, or long distance walking I should say. So, like many of you, before the trip, I went up and down this forum nonstop to hunt down all relevant info to prep myself. In the end, this camino was one of the best experiences I've ever had, so I would like to share a bit with this lovely forum...
1. Don't take forum discussions too seriously - yes, including the one I'm posting now
thousands and thousands of pilgrims from different backgrounds are walking this 800+km route, there will be different sensations and feedback for sure - depending on weather, physical ability, age....or maybe just luck?
2. Try not to over-pack - easier said than done! If you really need something, get it on the way. Yes, it might cause some inconveniences missing item abc, but that's life isn't it? To me, walking with a light pack provides ultimate joy. Not sure if you need a walking stick? Don't bring one from home, pick up some random stick in the woods and try them out. Grab some 5 eur tshirt and wear it as pajamas along the way, end up wearing it 30+times when you reach Santiago, that's a sweet deal if you ask me.
3. Something bad might happen, followed by good ones - pouring rain, beds bugs, no beds, bad food; nice cafe con leche, cut throat scenery, occupy the whole albergue by yourself (avoid "official stages" in guidebooks is the trick), remote beaches. It's a fair game.
4. I don't know if September counts as "busy" season but there were several nights where the albergue was fully occupied, some days ~50%; having said that, the camino walk itself is not really packed during day time, there were many days I saw more cows than people.....until Arzua (where Norte connects to Frances route 40km before Santiago)
5. Just ask for help - Fellow pilgrims are your best friend
Several times, especially in towns of Cantabria and Asturias, I stood in the middle of the street looking confused, local people approach me in <30 seconds and ask me what do I need, in Spanish of course 
I don't speak much Spanish but somehow always worked my way through it.
Last but not least, I want to say thank you to all the previous contributors of this forum, you have no idea how helpful you are!
I did Camino del Norte from Irun to Santiago this Sep, it was my first camino, or long distance walking I should say. So, like many of you, before the trip, I went up and down this forum nonstop to hunt down all relevant info to prep myself. In the end, this camino was one of the best experiences I've ever had, so I would like to share a bit with this lovely forum...
1. Don't take forum discussions too seriously - yes, including the one I'm posting now
thousands and thousands of pilgrims from different backgrounds are walking this 800+km route, there will be different sensations and feedback for sure - depending on weather, physical ability, age....or maybe just luck? 2. Try not to over-pack - easier said than done! If you really need something, get it on the way. Yes, it might cause some inconveniences missing item abc, but that's life isn't it? To me, walking with a light pack provides ultimate joy. Not sure if you need a walking stick? Don't bring one from home, pick up some random stick in the woods and try them out. Grab some 5 eur tshirt and wear it as pajamas along the way, end up wearing it 30+times when you reach Santiago, that's a sweet deal if you ask me.
3. Something bad might happen, followed by good ones - pouring rain, beds bugs, no beds, bad food; nice cafe con leche, cut throat scenery, occupy the whole albergue by yourself (avoid "official stages" in guidebooks is the trick), remote beaches. It's a fair game.
4. I don't know if September counts as "busy" season but there were several nights where the albergue was fully occupied, some days ~50%; having said that, the camino walk itself is not really packed during day time, there were many days I saw more cows than people.....until Arzua (where Norte connects to Frances route 40km before Santiago)
5. Just ask for help - Fellow pilgrims are your best friend
Several times, especially in towns of Cantabria and Asturias, I stood in the middle of the street looking confused, local people approach me in <30 seconds and ask me what do I need, in Spanish of course I don't speak much Spanish but somehow always worked my way through it.Last but not least, I want to say thank you to all the previous contributors of this forum, you have no idea how helpful you are!
