I Will Walk 500 Miles
With my 2-year Canadian work visa expiring in August, the pressure has been on for me to decide where I’m heading to next. There’s a thought that the hardest part of long-term travel is making the decision to go. That decisive moment certainly gets your heart racing, I can tell you that – and with that moment you suddenly feel your heart breaking free through multiple ribs and soaring out of your chest like a phoenix reborn; with that moment you feel alive.
That’s exactly how it felt for me anyway. Then a few seconds later, with the realisation that my heart actually needed to be back inside the security blanket of my body, the heart retracted inwards to safety as quickly as it had leaped out. Unfortunately there was already a hole in my chest burned by the path of the decision that had just been made. Cue gut-wrenching feelings of panic.
I have decided to take a trip to Northern Spain to walk the beautiful route of the Camino de Santiago. I know very minimal Spanish, but that’s not why I panicked. I have decided to walk the Camino de Santiago. I could still change my mind but being naturally stubborn, since that decision has been made, I assure you it’s sticking.
I have decided to walk approximately 800 km (~500 miles), starting in France at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port all the way across Northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, furthermore, I have then decided to keep walking onwards to Cape Finisterre (thankfully only another 90 km). Cape Finisterre ‘The End of the Earth’ was thought to be the westernmost point of earth, back when the world was presumably flat. It seems like a pretty appropriate point to end my journey, if I make it that far.
What on earth am I talking about? The Camino de Santiago. I found this video on YouTube which sums it up nicely:
Why am I doing the Camino? Because my work visa expires and as much as I can’t wait to go back home to New Zealand, I still need some time to figure out what I want to do with my life once I get there. Treading on blisters through the Spanish countryside all day every day for over a month will allow me to mull it over. Meanwhile, I hope to make some interesting friends from all over the world and have an adventure, plus I heard that there is a drinking fountain with FREE WINE. I’m sold.
I still have a lot of planning to do for this trip, so keep an eye out if you would like to follow along. I will also need to figure out a new name for my blog that isn’t so place specific. Change is in the air… Watch this space!
Been There, Blogged That 
Reblogged this on mapsworldwide blog and commented:
It will be good to follow your journey on the Camino de Santiago, we sell maps for this route every year, but do not hear from the people undertaking the journey!
Awesome! I’m not sure if I’m going to buy a map or just go with the flow because I hear the route is well sign posted. Need to do some more research first!
I’ve been there, did only 200kms though, but I loved it! Beautiful scenery,lovely people, tranquility, parties… intrigueging stories. Good choice, you’ll always remember it!
I’m super excited, also nervous though. Any good tips?
Pack light (I had 3 t-shirts: one to wear while walking, one in the evening after the shower, and one to dry) and remember your ear plugs (refugios are mostly dorms), be prepared for blisters and achy feet, enjoy the quiet, the chats, the stories, the beauty and the company. Take it as it comes. Oh, and be prepared to get up early, the closer to Santiago you get, the bigger the competition for the beds in the refugios is.
If you learn a few words of Spanish, it will help. The people in the villages are very friendly and happy to chat with you but they don’t use that much English – I often interpreted even though my Spanish sucks.
I blogged about the camino too, in case you are interested.
I thought it was quite interesting to hear the reasons for people to take the journey. I’ll never forget the Italian guy, about 50, who had a disagreement with his wife (in Italy) and told her he’d go for a walk. He called her from Santiago telling her that now he was ready to come home… Or the German who walked the whole distance from the southern parts of Germany for the 7th time…
Thanks for the tips! Did you ever get stuck and have no where to sleep at night? Im definitely trying to read as much as possible from people who’ve done it before I go! I got out a book from the library today on how to learn Spanish for idiots from the library so I feel like I’m making baby steps of preparation.
There is always some place, but you may end up paying more – or walking to the next village ;)
It’s a great experience. I have never done it, but I have a friend that walked it last year. It took him 2 months and it is an amazing journey. Good luck. Blessings, Dawn
GOOD LUCK!!! And congratulations on a new chapter in your life!!! Exciting!
Thanks! I am super excited! Will keep you posted :)
Do it, Kiwi. It’ll be one of the best experiences of your life. I’m 58, have done it twice by two different routes, and I’ll probably keep doing it every year or two till I can’t.
Advice: Give yourself 6 weeks, keep your pack under 10kg, and go in Sept.
Thanks, good advice, I think I’m going to have a bit of trouble keeping my pack under 10kg, but I will certainly try! I’ve heard a lot of people get rid of a bunch of their stuff once they actually start the route.
sounds fantastic – good luck!
Thumps up! I got a link through a friend. Read my blog about my walk last year at ks63.wordpress.com It might help you to learn a bit more about it.
I am in Sydney right now and will go to Brisbane this week to meet friends I made during the walk. That’s a big part of the Camino Santiago walk: make new friends and share thoughts.
!Buen Camino!
Oh my gosh, the Camino! I envy you and am so happy that you are going. I have wanted to go since reading Shirley MacLaine’s book about her experience there. It isn’t easy but so exciting to think about doing it. I can’t wait to read about your experience. Good luck!
Thanks for the support. I get more and more scared the more I think about it. I know it’s going to be anything far from easy, perhaps one of the most difficult things I’ve done so far.
Nothing challenging in life is easy. You have to like walking / hiking. You should have an open mind to pick up new things and have a small printed or electronic dictionary with you so you can communicate with the locals at least to get food etc.. You will meet hundreds of people or not. It depends on you. For me this camaraderie was one of the nicest experiences of the Camino. I am sure you have read some of the forums about the Camino and the suggestions there. Have good hiking shoes and socks with you and have them used before getting started. Take to bear minimum with you 8-10kg. You will add food and water during the day. Use light synthetic clothes that wash and dry easy overnight. Use the onion principle to stay warm. Have some good/light rain protection. If you start in St. Jean de Luc just go to Garrison and stay there over night. You can reserve a room. If you don’t do it and are too late they can and will not accept you and you have to bite the bullet and do the whole mountain crossing in one day. I assume you have read information and know that you can use transportation on the Camino and only must walk the last 100 km to get the certificate. When you are down or feet hurt stay one more night and recuperate. Start walking the next day again. Leave yourself sufficient grace time to pick up any flights or other transportation arrangements so you don’t feel pressured. Set your pace to your preference. I did often 25+ km but today I would not want to do more than 18-22km daily. Your body will tell you. Strength will build up and make it easier. Maintain your soles skin well to avoid blisters. I used a heavy cream that included talcum. Did not get one blister. Treat them well if not avoidable. Focus forward and enjoy the walk at your pace. I had my challenges but over the length of the walk but I never questioned the walking as such. Once you started it will be fun. Don’t forget when you passed the Pyrenees there will be Pamplona. Many of us walking and having met during the first few days met again at the Post Office when sending packages either back home or forward to Santiago to be picked up upon arrival. After the Pyrenees you will find a few items that you don’t want to carry on anymore. Don’t be frightened and don’t question the idea of walking the Camino. It might become your greatest achievement of your life so far and you will look back for years to come and see it as best positive experiences you had. Buen Caminoor forward to Santiago to be picked up upon arrival. After the Pyrenees you will find a few items that you don’t want to carry on anymore. Don’t be frightened and don’t question the idea of walking the Camino. It might become your greatest achievement of your life so far and you will look back for years to come and see it as best positive experiences you had. Buen Camino
Thank you for this! All great advice which I will definitely take on board! I do think I will struggle to keep my packing to a minimum, but since I know that I will have to carry it all, I am going to try my very best to keep it down. I am very much looking forward to all the interesting people I will meet, and hearing their reasons for the camino as well. Hopefully will have a great adventure and make some life long friends! It is very reassuring that others have done it before, makes it seem not impossible for me :)
My wife and I walked the Camino last spring and it was the best trip we have ever experienced. I think about it and the people we met on the trek every day. I can see why people go back and walk the path again and again. Best wishes to you on your adventure! We blogged about our walk on carryoncouple.com.
Reg
Thank you for this little dose of inspiration!
I will check out your blog! I’m very interested to hear about everyones experiences.
I walked in late April – good time to start, not too much pressure on refugios, and it’s not too hot, so you can walk much later in the day (in summer months, too hot in afternoon) …….. first day is really tough, 13 miles uphill, straight, but there’s a flatter route you can take if you don’t fancy it. After that, you can handle anything, and nothing to be scared of … probably, you have enough advice now. Too much advice can be a burden, too. It’s your camino, and it is what it is ………. don’t go with expectations …… you’ll find your way. Buen camino!
Thanks for the encouragement! I can’t wait!
I did not try to pass the Pyrenees in one go. Stopped over night at Refuge Orrison +33-559491303, mobil 0681497956 http://www.refuge-orisson.com It is about 7 km up hill. Nice short walk to get into a routine. Book ahead as only 18 can stay overnight. One does not have to leave Saint Jean Pied de Port that early and if it’s a nice day has sufficient time to sit in the sun, wash and make new friends.
Doing the Camino is always a good decision, and it sounds like you have the open attitude (especially towards the people you will meet) that will make it the experience you need.
(Just a note, the wine fountain runs low by the afternoon, get there early! I learned to love wine on the porches and stoops of albergues along the way.)
Buen camino.
Oooh – we are doing the Camino too later this year. When you will be doing it? We will be there from September.
After we committed to doing it, we are not freaking out a little about the distance – when it sinks in that we will be walking 800km… yikes!
But we simply cannot wait to experience it.
I’m planning to start on the 1st of September, I want to take my time so I’m giving myself a total of 2 months to get to Finisterre. Might see you there!
Oh wow! We start on the 4th :-)
And we are doing it in about 45-46 days but not going all the way to Finisterre.
Well hopefully we do run into you along the way :-)
oops – I meant we are **NOW** freaking out a little :-)
The greatest experience in my life! Do not over-plan, just let things happen. It took me 56 days, slowing down was one of my greatest gifts. Don’t smell the roses….watch them grow!
Thanks for mentioning this, I plan to give myself a window of 2 months and take as long as I need. I’ve heard though that people don’t really like slowing down too much because then they can’t necessarily walk with the people they started with, but I guess that’s part of the Camino too!
Kiwi, I started a group called “The Snail Gang,” the fun gang who walks slow! http://caminopilgrimsnailgang.wordpress.com/tag/snail/ Walking by yourself but not alone….hmmmm will be the door opener!
I saw that you like my post and decided to check out your site and am very excited to see you’re walking the Camino! This walk is on my to do list so I am also looking forward to following your experience. Buen Camino!
That is very cool Stacey, the Camino have been on wish list for years but I struggle to find the time block a month + in my “busy” life :)
But some day! Buon Camino ;)
Understandable. I figure now is the best time for me as my work contract in Canada will be expiring, and I can afford to be unemployed for a month or two before I head back to NZ to look for work. I have always been interested in taking a long walking holiday, so I can’t wait! If you really want something, you CAN make it happen. One day you’ll get to the Camino I’m sure.
Sounds perfect Stacey :-)
Silly thing is I’m taking time out this year to follow a dream or two and I have not been working since September or had an address apart my car, friends and family.
So this would seem like the perfect year but I have been sitting on my ass for six weeks after a minor climbing accident and got the cast of this weekend, I’m facing another six weeks of physio before I can hope to walk normally again.
So for now the Camino is just a dream but might be a nice “getting fit again project” ;-)
My mum had a sign in the kitchen when I was growing up that said “Life happens when you’re making other plans.” It’s unfortunate that you were injured and unable to go now, but the anticipation and the physio will make it all the more a success when you do eventually get there. It is definitely important to take care of your health first and foremost and not push yourself too hard. Sending my best wishes to you!!
Thanks Stacey, I do love the planning fase of every adventure :)
This is so exciting! I was planning on doing it this year but life got in the way and I had to leave Europe before I planned to. Best of luck and enjoy!!! :)
Thanks! I’m super excited, but more and more as the day gets closer I’m realising how unprepared I am. Oh well, gotta take everything in my stride!