El Comino...Walk of St. James

Would you PLEASE correct your spelling! It is El CAmino!

I am preparing to walk the une 2013. I am open to suggestions regarding km/ miles to travel per day , things to pack and not pack, how much money to budget. I am open to suggetions from anyone who has walked The El Camino in the past. I feel I am being called to do this for a very specific reason.
Any honest and good information will not be ignored.

Thanks,
Gypsy Shoes

Nope. I haven't walked it yet! I'm planning on doing the Camino Francais next year about this time. I've got my back pack and I'm filling it with the things I'll need.

I have been on my pilgrimage since Easter when i watched "The Way" by Emilio Estevez. Great movie. What really got me going was researching online and I realized this is a real pilgrimage that real people do. I have been completely fascinated, enthralled ever since. My confessor uses the word "called" and I think that is true. I"m 40, Kathleen and I am going!! If I had the tickets, I would leave tomorrow.

There are a lot of websites for pilgrims, but not everyone is Catholic that goes. Training is essential!!! You get the pack, and you walk every day even if you only walk a mile. The Camino is cooler in September so you are probably going to need a colder weather sleeping bag and warmer clothes. Plus it rains alot in the spring and fall so you will need a poncho. I walk now whether it is raining or not because that will be what it is like, walking every day 12 to 18 miles, regardless of how I feel, regardless of the weather.

I am very excited for you to be going in September. I gave up satellite TV to save money to go. I watch U-Tube videos for free.

The compestela is not for 100 miles though. It is for 100K(ilometers). Because we are Catholic we would get an indulgence and who can't use one of those! Since I will most likely only have this one chance, I am doing the whole thing. I'm planning on starting in St. Jean but I would really love to start in Le Puy. Since I am walking alone St. Jean makes more since because the pilgrim refuges are spread out further along the Le Puy route and involve more actual camping.

Do your research and start your training. God bless!

I am in a womans group at my church on wednesdays. well, last wednesday a woman took the entire time we had showing her FULL journey ot the Camino of St. James, or "the way" You start off where you like, it is apparently old people and people who are young who are trying to figure things out in their heads. They get a passport of sorts so that the lodging on the way can't overcharge you as you are a pilgrime. It is a tough 570 mile walk, but this 50 year old woman did it. I'm thinking of it but I take so much medication and you can only realistically carry the bare minimums. she said people will toss things out of thier bags on the way, and are left with their camera, and REALLY dirty boots and socks. Many of the accomidations for the way have no heated water. One thing good to know is that the really only time to go is in the summer. It starts in the Pyrenese mountains and ends at the huge church with St. James. people hug the statue and then just get some R&R as this is NO vacation. I though my pilgrimmage to St. Philomena's shrine in Mugnano del Cardinale Italy was a trek, but this is hard core. can I ask what age group you are in? I am thinking of seriously just trying to get in the best shape, bring my meds that are needed, and just go to REI and get my packing and flight arrangements to Spain (my hubby working for an airline helps as that part is free) The woman I met it took her 5 weeks for the enire route..but You can get a certificate if you walked at least 100 miles. she said some become Camino junkies, and just end up staying there. the pictures were beautiful and it is really catered to pilgrims. If you have the strength and means, I would say..GO! I wish I had someone to go with at least half the trip..if i feel half human after that, I'll go back to finish the entire journey...but the feeling of getting to a shrine is amazing when you have come from so far! God bless, and be with you during your discernment

Kathleen