Lindsey, your videos were so helpful before I began on July 25 and now that I'm back in California I watch them to reminisce about one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm 68, walked alone (but one really is never all alone on the camino), had no problems with bedbugs, theft, etc., met simply incredible people and can hardly wait to return next summer to finish the Leon to Santiago segment! Thanks for your generosity and good advice. Ultreia!
Mary McKinley Hi Mary! Ah, a St-James Day start. :) t's funny to hear you say that you watch my videos to reminisce, because I most certainly did the same thing with other people's videos when I got back haha! Your solo Camino sounds perfectly divine. I wish you the absolute best for your second leg next summer. Ultreia a tu tambien amiga!
Hi Mary, I'm in California/LA any time you can, please reach me here. I would love take you for a coffee or tea and ask you about the camino. I'm 50 and counting the days for my camino
Colorida de abril It cost us about 5000. each we went to fly .com and checked daily for flights we flew to Paris from Washington state for 430.USD.... Tuesday-Thursday cheapest and took a train to Bayonne 95.USD then Bayonne to Saint Jean about 40. USD Hostels range between 5-10 Euros a night... we went to Muxia and Finisterre train to Madrid 75.USD from Santiago.. Then Madrid to Seattle 750.USD.... hope this helps... A must is Muxia....
Love the info provided. I am at least a year out but already I have drastically reduced my suspected cost and worries around planning. Thank you again. Please keep them coming :-D
Hey Brian, glad you're getting the cost down! I was confused by your other comment haha I cannot for the life of me imagine the Camino costing that much money! Enjoy your planning, and don't let it worry you too much. :) It's super easy to get overwhelmed by the details and the massive mound of information that's out there about the Camino. But really, when it comes down to it, you just look for the arrows and start walking. Things tend to figure themselves out after that. ;) Good luck!
Thank you. I was originally getting airfares at $2000+ one way so that's what was hitting me the hardest. The Canadian dollar to Euro isn't that great either... That all said navigation is my thing. I served for Canada so I have no worries for the march or navigation. Just cost of Travel and budget for the 6+ weeks I plan to be there.
I have probably seen all your videos on the Camino so far and I really wanted to thanks you for posting them. I am planning on a Camino trip this May or June depending on how fast I get my funds together. I am very excited and your videos have really put a smile on my face :) Thank you very much.
Happy new year Lindsey! Great to see you back posting on RUclips. Good notes, tips and advice to current and future peregrinos. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
Lindsay you are the flashligth of my prep to camino in 2016. I had lots of ??? and your videos cover all of them.You rock girl! my question for you is about how much money it's need for the whole camino?I'll be jobless in 2016 and before go back to work I'll have a long brake, so time will not be a issue and also when is the best time to go? thank you Lindsay,
Nice video. The municipal albergue from Puente la Reina? I would have never thought about it although so many years have gone by since I worked in that town ... So many recollections of the town, really... Greetings from Pamplona
I'm starting my camino April 3rd and when I feel like getting stupidly excited about it I come and look for 1 of your videos. 1 quick question..would u say the cheaper municipal albergues are usually available during April? Statistics say that it's 1 of the quiet months but doesn't Easter kind of make it busy? Oops that's 2 questions. Ps u seem like SUCH a nice person, I wish I could have walked with u a while :)) x
Hi Nigel, haha I totally know that feeling, planning for my Camino this time last year I was CONSTANTLY on the Camino Forum... not cause I necessarily was looking for advice but just because I wanted to think about it and talk about it as much as possible in all my excitement. I don't know really about albergues in April, I think they should probably be open! I have a friend who started around the same time in 2012 and I don't remember him saying anything about albergues being closed. In any case, I wouldn't worry, you should be fine. Also, I arrived in St-Jean on Easter Sunday in 2011 and didn't notice it being any busier than the rest of the Camino, so I don't know! I wish you the very best for your Camino! Haha back at ya! Enjoy. :) Tell me how it goes!
We lived on about 50 euro day for two of us, staying in hostal. They often offer pilgrim meals for 10 euro. You can spend another 10 or so along "the Way" each day. We took a hotel every couple of weeks. Fortunate to have lots of time, we walked for 50 day. It was the experience of my lifetime! Looking forward to doing it again someday in the not too distant future.
Rick puravida Yeah, that's about how much we spent as well. I'd say that's a pretty good estimate for most people, although it's more expensive in the last week or so.
We are finding your videos very helpful. My wife and I are going this fall. She is leaving late August, I am learn mid September. Thank you for your advice.
We are planning to walk the Camino next year in May. Do the Albergues serve coffee? If not, do they serve coffee in the restaurants? BTW, I’m really enjoying your videos. They have been very informative. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a wonderful day and a great week. 🧑🦯👩🦯🧑🦯👩🦯🧑🦯👩🦯🧑🦯👩🦯
Great Info Lindsey. I have been following your blogs because tkey have offered so much useful info for anyone planning on walking the camino. I am planning my camino in June/July 2015. Cannot wait. Would you have any first hand recommendtions or insights to walking during times of the year?
None firsthand, really. I've noticed the Camino Frances got much busier just in the two years between my first and second Camino, and that was walking in May. Plan for it to be busy! Booking ahead in private albergues might be a good option. It will also be hot. Bring a light sleeping bag and perhaps leave the Gore-tex at home! Enjoy the planning stages, let me know if you have more questions. Glad you've found my videos helpful. :) Cheers!
Found your YT vids, after watching "The Way" with my wife, and becoming curious to learn more about the Camino. Very good vids, will be most helpful if we ever have the fortunate experience of taking the journey! Did you ever get a change to record parts 2 & 3 for the Albergues? Just curious... Thanks!
JTYooper Hey there! I haven't yet, I decided to record videos that people were asking a lot for first. I've just recorded one about options for 1-2 week long Caminos that will be up within the next few days. Might do Albergues part 1 and 2 next. Let me know if you have any questions that come up in your research. :)
Sounds good, looking forward to the new vids! Have you ever seen the movie "The Way", and if so, how well do you think it relates to a real life walk of the Camino?
JTYooper the real is much better.. instead of three other people, its 100's ..not crowed but you run into so many people on the way and you'll have many Camino families .. with different paces.... you tend to say buen Camino a lot...
Thanks for posting these videos! I have watched several of your videos already. I couldn't find the other two parts to this one though… Am I just not looking hard enough?
+Dawn Putnam Sorry Dawn, I actually never ended up making those videos. If there's any specific questions you've got on the topic, I can attempt to answer them here!
Hey Lindsey. Thank you for your videos. I am planning my Camino for the end of May (2014) from St. Jean and will be on my own. Your videos have helped ease some of my anxiety over this huge undertaking. :) Would you be willing to post a video with a packing list of what you took? I know there are hundreds of packing lists out there but I am always looking for more. :)
Hey Sarah, glad to help! :) A packing list video is definitely on my list of videos to make, but can't promise I'll have time to make it before you leave! I'll certainly try though, it's definitely a question I get a lot. :) Enjoy your planning!
Hey Sarah, I'm going at the same time but in 2015. Would you mind getting back on here after you go to say how it was walking alone at that time of year?
Lindsey Cowie Thank you! I saw it last week and it gave me renewed packing inspiration. Only 6 more weeks until my Camino and getting more excited by the day. :)
Sarah Duvall Ahh so exciting! Gah I'm getting so jealous of all you guys, my Camino was now almost a year ago, which is insane, cause it feels like yesterday... but I would go again in a heartbeat! Just enjoy every moment of it... you'll remember it for the rest of your life! Buen camino Sarah :)
Thanks! This is really useful! I am about to leave on22ndd of july from Korea. By the way, in this peak season is it possible to stay in municipal Albergues?
Depends where you are on the Camino! The further from Santiago you are, the more likely it is that the municipals won't be full. When you get into Galicia, it will likely be very very busy. Good luck, burn camino!
Hey Lindsey, first I want to thank you for your videos and the time you put into them. My boyfriend and I are going to start our camino on 2nd april 2015 in St-jean. Now, since you said somewhere in older replies to comments, that you started in April 2011, I was wondering, what kind of sleeping bag (temperature recomendeation whise) you used and if it was warm enough most of the time...especially in the pyrenees? Thanks so much!
Katie O'Clare Hi Katie! You're so welcome. In 2011, I started from St-Jean closer to the end of April (around the 25th I believe), and it was foggy, damp and cold in the Pyrenees, but the rest of my Camino was very warm. I had a friend who started the first week of April in 2012, and there was still snow on the pass through the Pyrenees. The sleeping bag I carried was rated for 7+ degree celsius, and I found it fine for me, and a bit too warm for some nights. Most albergues do have heavy wool blankets for pilgrims to use as well, if you find your sleeping bag to be too light. So I would say a sleeping bag around the same weight as mine would probably be good. Maybe around 5+ degrees celsius would be good? Good luck! Coming up fast :)
Lindsey Cowie Thank you for your quick reply :) I decided on a lightweight for around 8+ degrees comfort zone down til 3 degrees risk temperature. It has microfleece inside and I could always wear an extra sweater, in case it gets too cold. And when they have whool blankets than it will definitely be fine. :) Just the other day I booked the flights to Biarritz and in two weeks well go backpack shopping...until then I will have almost exerything together (despite some little knick-knacks) and I know how big the backpack needs to be. I have another question. I know that there are water fountains along the way and many pilgrims drink from them and fill their water bottles but I've read on quite a few blogs that people got sick from the water....do you have any experiences with that? Or did you buy bottled water? Thanks again :) PS: I'm super excited already!!! :)
You stay in doors and wool bed roll was fine for me be diligent on quick checking beds for Bed bugs especially in smaller albergue's they freak you out I went in April /May 2014 thanks to Lindsey's help.... I over packed and ended up send lots forward to Santiago a gre..at option ...in Pamplona... You can also send your pack forward to the next municipal 7 euros ... then have a day pack with water ...I drank from all the fountains and never had an issue.... you'll have a great time ... Thank you Lindsey for creating this forum.. I'm going back 2017 god willing to Camino de Portugal
Dean Madison I was able to ship a lot of items ahead to Santiago using the postal service we lost about 20 lbs. off our backs, I'm sure it would work from Barcelona to Santiago ... they were very accommodating... I think the postal service understands your are walking and it will take time to pick it up .... you may want to try only taking what you need to Barcelona .... ... unless your need prevents it ....14 lbs. is a great target weight for a male...
William White Hi William - no, not many people do. There are only a few campsites along the Camino, and it's technically illegal to camp otherwise because you'd be on private property most of the time.
Nope, you would be in excellent company. People from all over the world walk it and aside from Spanish, English is the most common language to see and hear, especially since so many people speak it fluently as a second language. I didn't know any at all the first time and only a little the second time and I made loads of good friends. So no worries ;) I think it's really awesome that you're thinking about possibly doing it! :)
Hi Lindsay. Thank you for all your hard work to help all us beginners on the Camino. I am getting ready to go but do not know when is the best time weather wise (not too cold/not too hot) and also less crowded Albergues. I am thinking that perhaps last of may. I will follow your advice and leave from Houston to Paris and from there to SJPdP. Do you have any words of wisdom regarding backpack and packing essentials?? Thank you. Olimpia
Hi Olimpia, Both my Caminos have been April/May ones, so that's all I can really speak for. On both, there were some pretty chilly days (got snow last year in the high parts) and some very hot days. May is actually one of the busiest months for pilgrims leaving St-Jean. Near the end of my Caminos, most albergues filled every night. But I wouldn't worry too much about the bed race. If you get up at a decent hour (ie. not the last people to leave the albergue) you should get a bed. If the race worries you, you could always consider booking ahead in private albergues. I wouldn't worry about it too much - there's always somewhere to sleep. :) As far as backpacks, I don't really know anything about them. Mine is a Gregory Jade 50L and it served me fine. It's a little bigger than necessary though but it allowed me to bring non-pilgrim clothes for the rest of my travels around Spain pre and post-Camino. A 40L pack is probably around the ideal size, but the fit and comfort is the most important thing to consider when shopping. Do you have REI in Houston? From what I've heard they're a great help with picking a well-fitting pack. As far as packing essentials, I do have one video about a few things I found useful to bring. But I hope to soon make a video where I'll kind of go through my packing list, because so many people ask me. Can't promise it will be by the time you leave though, but I'll try! If you need more answers to your questions, the Camino Forum is a great resource. Good luck with your planning! Lindsey
Olimpia Piccardo Olimpia like I said, I will try and make a video about packing and what to bring. In the meantime, there are loads of other people who have put packing lists up on the internet for people to see. You should check some of those out, because I don't have a packing list. I threw some stuff in a backpack and started walking.
Lindsey the walk for me would be to pray with my feet as an act of penance, It would be seek redemption while searching for solace, did you see or experience anything that added wonder to the miracle of our short existence, or was a majority of it just the privileged spending money they never earned while trying to put meaning to an adventure that weighed heavily on money time and a lack of responsibility coupled with visits from lust greed and gluttony? Or does each pilgrim only find what they where searching for through internal dialogue and rationalization? Please answer this question with your heart and not cerebral.
I didn't talk to anyone who had had anything stolen. But just like anywhere else you travel, just be reasonably cautious haha. It could be easy to feel safe when everyone around you is a pilgrim but you never know who they really are so be careful! Buen Camino!
That is how it's pronounced. "Auberge" is the French equivalent of the Spanish "albergue". Obviously pronounced differently but not relevant, pronounced it the Spanish way because I'm talking about the hostels in Spain.
Henna O'Shea Also, Henna, I feel you're spending too much of your time constantly revisiting my videos and leaving negative comments. You shouldn't put so much energy into being so negative. I've blocked you to help encourage you to maybe put your energy elsewhere rather than focusing on things you apparently hate so much about me. Try smiling once in a while. Cheers.
check your bed look into seams ...a brief check every time ... gently shake out bedding and look on the floor ... Europe is pretty successful at keeping them under control...we got them once on our trip and they haunted us ..but every Pharmacia. has sprays that work to get rid of them...pretty easy ... put cloths in a hot dryer...
Yeah!! It's cool, you fill it with stamps n shit. I'll assume you're super fascinated by my answer because apparently you won't be able to respond!! Yay!
Lindsey, your videos were so helpful before I began on July 25 and now that I'm back in California I watch them to reminisce about one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm 68, walked alone (but one really is never all alone on the camino), had no problems with bedbugs, theft, etc., met simply incredible people and can hardly wait to return next summer to finish the Leon to Santiago segment! Thanks for your generosity and good advice. Ultreia!
Mary McKinley Hi Mary! Ah, a St-James Day start. :) t's funny to hear you say that you watch my videos to reminisce, because I most certainly did the same thing with other people's videos when I got back haha! Your solo Camino sounds perfectly divine. I wish you the absolute best for your second leg next summer. Ultreia a tu tambien amiga!
Hi Mary, I'm in California/LA any time you can, please reach me here. I would love take you for a coffee or tea and ask you about the camino. I'm 50 and counting the days for my camino
Colorida de abril It cost us about 5000. each we went to fly .com and checked daily for flights we flew to Paris from Washington state for 430.USD.... Tuesday-Thursday cheapest and took a train to Bayonne 95.USD then Bayonne to Saint Jean about 40. USD Hostels range between 5-10 Euros a night... we went to Muxia and Finisterre train to Madrid 75.USD from Santiago.. Then Madrid to Seattle 750.USD.... hope this helps... A must is Muxia....
Municipal Albergues - the best way to meet people. Another great video Lindsey
Love the info provided. I am at least a year out but already I have drastically reduced my suspected cost and worries around planning. Thank you again. Please keep them coming :-D
Hey Brian, glad you're getting the cost down! I was confused by your other comment haha I cannot for the life of me imagine the Camino costing that much money! Enjoy your planning, and don't let it worry you too much. :) It's super easy to get overwhelmed by the details and the massive mound of information that's out there about the Camino. But really, when it comes down to it, you just look for the arrows and start walking. Things tend to figure themselves out after that. ;) Good luck!
Thank you. I was originally getting airfares at $2000+ one way so that's what was hitting me the hardest. The Canadian dollar to Euro isn't that great either... That all said navigation is my thing. I served for Canada so I have no worries for the march or navigation. Just cost of Travel and budget for the 6+ weeks I plan to be there.
I have probably seen all your videos on the Camino so far and I really wanted to thanks you for posting them. I am planning on a Camino trip this May or June depending on how fast I get my funds together. I am very excited and your videos have really put a smile on my face :) Thank you very much.
Hey Daniel thanks for the support! So glad you found them useful! Buen camino my friend :)
Happy new year Lindsey! Great to see you back posting on RUclips. Good notes, tips and advice to current and future peregrinos. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
Thanks so much! Happy new year to you as well!! xx
Lindsay you are the flashligth of my prep to camino in 2016. I had lots of ??? and your videos cover all of them.You rock girl! my question for you is about how much money it's need for the whole camino?I'll be jobless in 2016 and before go back to work I'll have a long brake, so time will not be a issue and also when is the best time to go? thank you Lindsay,
Nice video. The municipal albergue from Puente la Reina? I would have never thought about it although so many years have gone by since I worked in that town ... So many recollections of the town, really... Greetings from Pamplona
Super useful. Thank you!! Leaving Sept. 19 for my first Camino!
John Larkin You're welcome John! Buen Camino!
Love the tips!!! Keep em coming!!!!! THANKS!!!!!
Thanks!!
I'm starting my camino April 3rd and when I feel like getting stupidly excited about it I come and look for 1 of your videos. 1 quick question..would u say the cheaper municipal albergues are usually available during April? Statistics say that it's 1 of the quiet months but doesn't Easter kind of make it busy? Oops that's 2 questions.
Ps u seem like SUCH a nice person, I wish I could have walked with u a while :)) x
Hi Nigel, haha I totally know that feeling, planning for my Camino this time last year I was CONSTANTLY on the Camino Forum... not cause I necessarily was looking for advice but just because I wanted to think about it and talk about it as much as possible in all my excitement. I don't know really about albergues in April, I think they should probably be open! I have a friend who started around the same time in 2012 and I don't remember him saying anything about albergues being closed. In any case, I wouldn't worry, you should be fine. Also, I arrived in St-Jean on Easter Sunday in 2011 and didn't notice it being any busier than the rest of the Camino, so I don't know! I wish you the very best for your Camino! Haha back at ya! Enjoy. :) Tell me how it goes!
We lived on about 50 euro day for two of us, staying in hostal. They often offer pilgrim meals for 10 euro. You can spend another 10 or so along "the Way" each day. We took a hotel every couple of weeks. Fortunate to have lots of time, we walked for 50 day. It was the experience of my lifetime! Looking forward to doing it again someday in the not too distant future.
Rick puravida Yeah, that's about how much we spent as well. I'd say that's a pretty good estimate for most people, although it's more expensive in the last week or so.
We are finding your videos very helpful. My wife and I are going this fall. She is leaving late August, I am learn mid September. Thank you for your advice.
Hi there, you're very welcome! Feel free to ask if you have any questions :)
We are planning to walk the Camino next year in May. Do the Albergues serve coffee? If not, do they serve coffee in the restaurants? BTW, I’m really enjoying your videos. They have been very informative. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a wonderful day and a great week. 🧑🦯👩🦯🧑🦯👩🦯🧑🦯👩🦯🧑🦯👩🦯
Welcome back , beautiful as ever. I like the way you pronounce the spanish words.
Haha thank you Antonio, did I do okay with my Spanish??
Lindsey Cowie I know spanish and i am still learning from you!! lol
antonio silguero Haha muchas gracias mi amigo!
Hi Lindsey, thanks for posting these very valuable videos, especially for our first timers. Have you posted Albergues 102 yet? Thank you. Tom Muller
Great job Lindsey! You missed the parochial albergues which are church run. They are very fraternal and sometimes you get to sleep in the sanctuary!!
True! I enjoyed my experiences in those ones!
Great Info Lindsey. I have been following your blogs because tkey have offered so much useful info for anyone planning on walking the camino. I am planning my camino in June/July 2015. Cannot wait. Would you have any first hand recommendtions or insights to walking during times of the year?
None firsthand, really. I've noticed the Camino Frances got much busier just in the two years between my first and second Camino, and that was walking in May. Plan for it to be busy! Booking ahead in private albergues might be a good option. It will also be hot. Bring a light sleeping bag and perhaps leave the Gore-tex at home! Enjoy the planning stages, let me know if you have more questions. Glad you've found my videos helpful. :) Cheers!
Found your YT vids, after watching "The Way" with my wife, and becoming curious to learn more about the Camino. Very good vids, will be most helpful if we ever have the fortunate experience of taking the journey!
Did you ever get a change to record parts 2 & 3 for the Albergues? Just curious...
Thanks!
JTYooper Hey there! I haven't yet, I decided to record videos that people were asking a lot for first. I've just recorded one about options for 1-2 week long Caminos that will be up within the next few days. Might do Albergues part 1 and 2 next. Let me know if you have any questions that come up in your research. :)
Sounds good, looking forward to the new vids! Have you ever seen the movie "The Way", and if so, how well do you think it relates to a real life walk of the Camino?
JTYooper I'm going to make a video about that too! :)
JTYooper the real is much better.. instead of three other people, its 100's ..not crowed but you run into so many people on the way and you'll have many Camino families .. with different paces.... you tend to say buen Camino a lot...
Thanks for posting these videos! I have watched several of your videos already. I couldn't find the other two parts to this one though… Am I just not looking hard enough?
+Dawn Putnam Sorry Dawn, I actually never ended up making those videos. If there's any specific questions you've got on the topic, I can attempt to answer them here!
Really enjoyed that, keep doing what you are doing, planning to go solo
Thanks Pauline! Awesome decision, I loved my solo Camino.
Hey Lindsey. Thank you for your videos. I am planning my Camino for the end of May (2014) from St. Jean and will be on my own. Your videos have helped ease some of my anxiety over this huge undertaking. :) Would you be willing to post a video with a packing list of what you took? I know there are hundreds of packing lists out there but I am always looking for more. :)
Hey Sarah, glad to help! :) A packing list video is definitely on my list of videos to make, but can't promise I'll have time to make it before you leave! I'll certainly try though, it's definitely a question I get a lot. :) Enjoy your planning!
Hey Sarah, I'm going at the same time but in 2015. Would you mind getting back on here after you go to say how it was walking alone at that time of year?
Hey Sarah, don't know if you've seen, but I posted a packing list video last week! Check it out if you're still looking for more packing lists haha ;)
Lindsey Cowie Thank you! I saw it last week and it gave me renewed packing inspiration. Only 6 more weeks until my Camino and getting more excited by the day. :)
Sarah Duvall Ahh so exciting! Gah I'm getting so jealous of all you guys, my Camino was now almost a year ago, which is insane, cause it feels like yesterday... but I would go again in a heartbeat! Just enjoy every moment of it... you'll remember it for the rest of your life! Buen camino Sarah :)
Thanks! This is really useful!
I am about to leave on22ndd of july from Korea. By the way, in this peak season is it possible to stay in municipal Albergues?
Depends where you are on the Camino! The further from Santiago you are, the more likely it is that the municipals won't be full. When you get into Galicia, it will likely be very very busy. Good luck, burn camino!
Hey Lindsey, first I want to thank you for your videos and the time you put into them. My boyfriend and I are going to start our camino on 2nd april 2015 in St-jean. Now, since you said somewhere in older replies to comments, that you started in April 2011, I was wondering, what kind of sleeping bag (temperature recomendeation whise) you used and if it was warm enough most of the time...especially in the pyrenees? Thanks so much!
Katie O'Clare Hi Katie! You're so welcome. In 2011, I started from St-Jean closer to the end of April (around the 25th I believe), and it was foggy, damp and cold in the Pyrenees, but the rest of my Camino was very warm. I had a friend who started the first week of April in 2012, and there was still snow on the pass through the Pyrenees. The sleeping bag I carried was rated for 7+ degree celsius, and I found it fine for me, and a bit too warm for some nights.
Most albergues do have heavy wool blankets for pilgrims to use as well, if you find your sleeping bag to be too light. So I would say a sleeping bag around the same weight as mine would probably be good. Maybe around 5+ degrees celsius would be good?
Good luck! Coming up fast :)
I used a wool blanket... we were in beds all of the time ...it worked fine for me
Lindsey Cowie
Thank you for your quick reply :) I decided on a lightweight for around 8+ degrees comfort zone down til 3 degrees risk temperature. It has microfleece inside and I could always wear an extra sweater, in case it gets too cold. And when they have whool blankets than it will definitely be fine. :)
Just the other day I booked the flights to Biarritz and in two weeks well go backpack shopping...until then I will have almost exerything together (despite some little knick-knacks) and I know how big the backpack needs to be.
I have another question. I know that there are water fountains along the way and many pilgrims drink from them and fill their water bottles but I've read on quite a few blogs that people got sick from the water....do you have any experiences with that? Or did you buy bottled water? Thanks again :)
PS: I'm super excited already!!! :)
You stay in doors and wool bed roll was fine for me be diligent on quick checking beds for Bed bugs especially in smaller albergue's they freak you out I went in April /May 2014 thanks to Lindsey's help.... I over packed and ended up send lots forward to Santiago a gre..at option ...in Pamplona... You can also send your pack forward to the next municipal 7 euros ... then have a day pack with water ...I drank from all the fountains and never had an issue.... you'll have a great time ... Thank you Lindsey for creating this forum.. I'm going back 2017 god willing to Camino de Portugal
Dean Madison I was able to ship a lot of items ahead to Santiago using the postal service we lost about 20 lbs. off our backs, I'm sure it would work from Barcelona to Santiago ... they were very accommodating... I think the postal service understands your are walking and it will take time to pick it up .... you may want to try only taking what you need to Barcelona .... ... unless your need prevents it ....14 lbs. is a great target weight for a male...
I enjoyed your videos Lindsey, thank you. Do many people sleep in Bivvies or tents on the journey? Kind regards, William.
William White Hi William - no, not many people do. There are only a few campsites along the Camino, and it's technically illegal to camp otherwise because you'd be on private property most of the time.
i don't speak any spanish, would i be at a significant disadvantage on the camino? like, culturally isolated or something?
Nope, you would be in excellent company. People from all over the world walk it and aside from Spanish, English is the most common language to see and hear, especially since so many people speak it fluently as a second language. I didn't know any at all the first time and only a little the second time and I made loads of good friends. So no worries ;) I think it's really awesome that you're thinking about possibly doing it! :)
Lindsey Cowie yeah i miss the outdoors. need to get back into hiking.
Hi Lindsay. Thank you for all your hard work to help all us beginners on the Camino. I am getting ready to go but do not know when is the best time weather wise (not too cold/not too hot) and also less crowded Albergues. I am thinking that perhaps last of may. I will follow your advice and leave from Houston to Paris and from there to SJPdP. Do you have any words of wisdom regarding backpack and packing essentials?? Thank you. Olimpia
Hi Olimpia,
Both my Caminos have been April/May ones, so that's all I can really speak for. On both, there were some pretty chilly days (got snow last year in the high parts) and some very hot days. May is actually one of the busiest months for pilgrims leaving St-Jean. Near the end of my Caminos, most albergues filled every night. But I wouldn't worry too much about the bed race. If you get up at a decent hour (ie. not the last people to leave the albergue) you should get a bed. If the race worries you, you could always consider booking ahead in private albergues. I wouldn't worry about it too much - there's always somewhere to sleep. :)
As far as backpacks, I don't really know anything about them. Mine is a Gregory Jade 50L and it served me fine. It's a little bigger than necessary though but it allowed me to bring non-pilgrim clothes for the rest of my travels around Spain pre and post-Camino. A 40L pack is probably around the ideal size, but the fit and comfort is the most important thing to consider when shopping. Do you have REI in Houston? From what I've heard they're a great help with picking a well-fitting pack.
As far as packing essentials, I do have one video about a few things I found useful to bring. But I hope to soon make a video where I'll kind of go through my packing list, because so many people ask me. Can't promise it will be by the time you leave though, but I'll try!
If you need more answers to your questions, the Camino Forum is a great resource.
Good luck with your planning!
Lindsey
Lindsey, I am traveling sometime in May from Houston to Madrid and then to SJ. I need your help deciding what to pack. Please help.
Olimpia Piccardo Olimpia like I said, I will try and make a video about packing and what to bring. In the meantime, there are loads of other people who have put packing lists up on the internet for people to see. You should check some of those out, because I don't have a packing list. I threw some stuff in a backpack and started walking.
Olimpia Piccardo Hey Olimpia, I made a packing list video last week, you can find it on my channel page if you're still interested!
Are you supposed to pay tips for restaurants and albergues?
Lindsey the walk for me would be to pray with my feet as an act of penance, It would be seek redemption while searching for solace, did you see or experience anything that added wonder to the miracle of our short existence, or was a majority of it just the privileged spending money they never earned while trying to put meaning to an adventure that weighed heavily on money time and a lack of responsibility coupled with visits from lust greed and gluttony? Or does each pilgrim only find what they where searching for through internal dialogue and rationalization? Please answer this question with your heart and not cerebral.
Thank you.
great tips and videos
Thanks, Paul!
what about theft ? heard some scary stories ... but I don't know if it was just urban legend
I didn't talk to anyone who had had anything stolen. But just like anywhere else you travel, just be reasonably cautious haha. It could be easy to feel safe when everyone around you is a pilgrim but you never know who they really are so be careful! Buen Camino!
That is how it's pronounced. "Auberge" is the French equivalent of the Spanish "albergue". Obviously pronounced differently but not relevant, pronounced it the Spanish way because I'm talking about the hostels in Spain.
Henna O'Shea Also, Henna, I feel you're spending too much of your time constantly revisiting my videos and leaving negative comments. You shouldn't put so much energy into being so negative. I've blocked you to help encourage you to maybe put your energy elsewhere rather than focusing on things you apparently hate so much about me. Try smiling once in a while. Cheers.
Lindsey Cowie AWESOME comeback Lindsey!
check the beds first for bed bugs
whose guitar is that? :)
It's miiiiiine but I never play it anymore!
you should. then I could record it...
Thanx.
Muxas gracias, i suscribe
what about the bedbugs?
Kyriakos Fatouros Not sure, really! I never encountered them, so I can't really speak to that. Good luck!
check your bed look into seams ...a brief check every time ... gently shake out bedding and look on the floor ... Europe is pretty successful at keeping them under control...we got them once on our trip and they haunted us ..but every Pharmacia. has sprays that work to get rid of them...pretty easy ... put cloths in a hot dryer...
ALBERGUE ALBERGUE ALBERGUE! ahahah
Hahaha I know it's like SHUT UP LINDSEY
Nah, I think these videos are super useful, man. Keep'em coming :)
V.useful
Thanks Jonathan, glad you found them useful!
A pilgrim passport!!!!
Yeah!! It's cool, you fill it with stamps n shit. I'll assume you're super fascinated by my answer because apparently you won't be able to respond!! Yay!