falconbrother
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June - July 2024
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I agree with this. Plan your packing and your travel to Europe, and then just let the rest happen.In my experience with three Camino’s under my feet and currently planning my fourth is the less you know the better. I was so green on my first pilgrimage and it was my absolute best. Learn as you go, let things happen organically.
Snap. Given that you are going to have no more than a day or two in Santiago, why a large suitcase?If you are flying in, walking and flying home again I'm wondering why you need a suitcase at all. Easiest would be to just take your packs as carry-ons.
What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
That was my immediate thought too … your question @falconbrother about what do you need to know …>>> an answer could be: You need to know that it’s possible and quite standard to carry your gear. Many exceptions exist with fitness and need for special equipment or just preference … all valid. Just wondering if you were aware that the bag transport is not an essential .If you are flying in, walking and flying home again I'm wondering why you need a suitcase at all. Easiest would be to just take your packs as carry-ons.
Same assumption that your bag is going direct to Santiago . (Which might be your plan???).Given that you are going to have no more than a day or two in Santiago, why a large suitcase?
I’ll throw two pieces of information on the pile I think are vital. Absolutely no cotton anything belongs on you or in your packs. Merino wool or quick dry space-age material are better in my humble opinion. Shoes and packs get mentioned often and that’s good information, but don’t scrimp on your rain gear (that includes covers for your packs). I got soaked to the bone because I bought cheap rain gear during my first Camino … that’s the fast track to misery for me. I can handle hot and cold, but wet makes me miserable.I’m 60 but, reasonably athletic. I did rupture my quadricep tendon over a year ago but, I got through all of the PT and walk several miles every day. My wife is 56 and we both are regulars at the gym. We are mindful of the miles we will need to walk on the Frances in June.
Our plan is to fly to France or Spain around the 26 of May. Then spend all of June walking to Santiago and fly out around the 2nd of July.
The rough plan is to take our packs and one large suitcase to have forwarded to Santiago.
What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
Try listening to your heart. You are on Camino after all.I’ll throw two pieces of information on the pile I think are vital. Absolutely no cotton anything belongs on you or in your packs. Merino wool or quick dry space-age material are better in my humble opinion. Shoes and packs get mentioned often and that’s good information, but don’t scrimp on your rain gear (that includes covers for your packs). I got soaked to the bone because I bought cheap rain gear during my first Camino … that’s the fast track to misery for me. I can handle hot and cold, but wet makes me miserable.
I always wear cotton, and it suits me well. The one cotton thing to absolutely avoid in all circumstances however is cotton socks.I’ll throw two pieces of information on the pile I think are vital. Absolutely no cotton anything belongs on you or in your packs.
falconbrother, you've been on the forum for a few months now, so you'll have seen all the important topics at one time or other. I'd summarise these as knowing:What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
If you are flying in, walking and flying home again I'm wondering why you need a suitcase at all. Easiest would be to just take your packs as carry-ons.
I always have several "tourist days" before and after my Camino, so I bring a suitcase with my clothes for those days. When I get to Santiago and I'm reunited with my suitcase it's like Christmas because I usually forget what I've packed!Snap. Given that you are going to have no more than a day or two in Santiago, why a large suitcase?
Express Bourricot in St Jean (close to Pilgrim Office) can send the suitcase to Santiago for you.
I never bring a suitcase to send on to Santiago. Instead I do minimal clothes shopping once I arrive for something fresh and new to wear. If I can't cram it in my pack going home, I exchange it for something weary I've been wearing for weeks. I never bring expensive clothing on the Camino anyway, so no problem leaving a few things behind to make room for the new.
Super! A scarf / foulard / shawl / shesh - a magical and transformative travel item. My favourites are medium size, very lightweight and a combo of cotton and silk. I usually take two - but one will do - can be used as a quick drying towel, a privacy screen on a lower bunk, for warmth around the neck, draped over the head and shoulders for shade from the sun. Love my sheshe (plural of shesh) .In September when we arrived in Santiago we also had booked a table at Casa Marcelo. So we went into Zara.
I bought a simple white T shirt and a colourful shawl so I did not have to wear the walkingshirt from Decathlon.
I combined it with the grey trousers ( from Uniqlo ) I wore in the evenings on the Camino.
Oh yes, I always bring a scarf, too. They have so many purposes and for the ladies it can turn our pilgrim attire to almost "posh"Super! A scarf
Wise words.remember to go to the toilet before you leave the albergue in the morning.
Start slow. Spend the first night in Orisson. Take it easy in the first week-ten days. If you get to Logroño without injury you should have no problem getting to Santiago.I’m 60 but, reasonably athletic. I did rupture my quadricep tendon over a year ago but, I got through all of the PT and walk several miles every day. My wife is 56 and we both are regulars at the gym. We are mindful of the miles we will need to walk on the Frances in June.
Our plan is to fly to France or Spain around the 26 of May. Then spend all of June walking to Santiago and fly out around the 2nd of July.
The rough plan is to take our packs and one large suitcase to have forwarded to Santiago.
What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
What people are capable of daily on a shorter hike is most often more than they are capable of on a proper long-distance one.Just picking up on the point made by @Susan Peacock - only you know what long distances you're used to and comfortable with - but day on day walking those distances is something else.
I have read most of the answers, and the question in the headline, ie 'Tell me what I need to know' and I wonder. If I have any suggestions, it is theseWhat do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
The camino doesn't (necessarily) start in St Jean pied de Porte. There is no need to rush, Santiago isn't going anywhere. Orujo isn't just for breakfast. The Menu del Dia in the scruffiest, grubby, crowded Meson in any town, any time, (so long as its lunchtime 1pm to 4pm) will be a meal worth remembering. The Menu Peregrino may not be. Santiago may have stood with the Divine. Remember that when you get there.What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
Yes. we've used Correos to send a suitcase to Santiago and were very happy with their service and cost. And you can send it from any post office in Spain, I think. Here is the link: https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/transfer-luggageExpress Bourricot is NOT cheap (IIRC @ €70) but they are the safest, most reliable way to get a suitcase from SJPdP all the way to Santiago.
Once you are in Spain and have easy access to the Correos (post offices), anything surplus to needs can be mailed to Ivar at Casa Ivar. The Correos is very reasonable, reliable and easy to use. Search here, in the Forum, for instructions.
Hope this helps.
Tom
For the folks in the back, let me say it louder: COTTON IS ROTTEN!! Do not pack it! I had given my sister a list of gear she should have and I recommended merino underwear. She brought her thinnest cotton underwear and we were both shocked when they were still damp 24 hours later. We were not staying in an albergue and it rained every day. After washing they were rolled in a towel to squeeze out extra moisture and they still took forever to dry.I’ll throw two pieces of information on the pile I think are vital. Absolutely no cotton anything belongs on you or in your packs. Merino wool or quick dry space-age material are better in my humble opinion. Shoes and packs get mentioned often and that’s good information, but don’t scrimp on your rain gear (that includes covers for your packs). I got soaked to the bone because I bought cheap rain gear during my first Camino … that’s the fast track to misery for me. I can handle hot and cold, but wet makes me miserable.
Works for the blokes too. Mine is also long enough to go round my head, Berber style, as a piece of headgear.Oh yes, I always bring a scarf, too. They have so many purposes and for the ladies it can turn our pilgrim attire to almost "posh"when added if heading to a restaurant for dinner.
Four things you ned to know (IMHO):I’m 60 but, reasonably athletic. I did rupture my quadricep tendon over a year ago but, I got through all of the PT and walk several miles every day. My wife is 56 and we both are regulars at the gym. We are mindful of the miles we will need to walk on the Frances in June.
Our plan is to fly to France or Spain around the 26 of May. Then spend all of June walking to Santiago and fly out around the 2nd of July.
The rough plan is to take our packs and one large suitcase to have forwarded to Santiago.
What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
It will most likely be hot on the CF in June. Make sure you have a good hat and sunglasses (and maybe a buff if like me you are light on top). Consider buying some good quality walking sticks and learn how to use them properly. Have a good strategy for blister prevention. Don't overthink it and stay open to the possibilities. Enjoy every moment! Buen Camino.I’m 60 but, reasonably athletic. I did rupture my quadricep tendon over a year ago but, I got through all of the PT and walk several miles every day. My wife is 56 and we both are regulars at the gym. We are mindful of the miles we will need to walk on the Frances in June.
Our plan is to fly to France or Spain around the 26 of May. Then spend all of June walking to Santiago and fly out around the 2nd of July.
The rough plan is to take our packs and one large suitcase to have forwarded to Santiago.
What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
Have a browse around the forum for a few days. Everything you ‘need’ to know is on here and it may allow you to refine your questions. You could do worse than seek out @Anniesantiago s YouTube content.I’m 60 but, reasonably athletic. I did rupture my quadricep tendon over a year ago but, I got through all of the PT and walk several miles every day. My wife is 56 and we both are regulars at the gym. We are mindful of the miles we will need to walk on the Frances in June.
Our plan is to fly to France or Spain around the 26 of May. Then spend all of June walking to Santiago and fly out around the 2nd of July.
The rough plan is to take our packs and one large suitcase to have forwarded to Santiago.
What do you think a first timer from the US needs to know?
Pelerina! I’m actually looking for this exact type of item for my Camino. I’m having trouble finding some quite right. I’ve never heard the terms foulard or shesh, so now you’ve given me some extra google search terms! I’ve been looking for a lightweight wool/silk blend but am also open to cotton linen hemp and silk. Anyway just rambling now but wanted to thank you for the extra vocab!Super! A scarf / foulard / shawl / shesh - a magical and transformative travel item. My favourites are medium size, very lightweight and a combo of cotton and silk. I usually take two - but one will do - can be used as a quick drying towel, a privacy screen on a lower bunk, for warmth around the neck, draped over the head and shoulders for shade from the sun. Love my sheshe (plural of shesh) .
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