lincasanova

why would walking with a tour group be wimpy? i was wimpy because I didn't finish every stage like the majority of the group.. but hey.. I already have a purple big toe being somewhat wimpy...and was very concerned about damaging my sedentary shin muscles, etc.

My adult daughter now wants to do part of the trail because she figures if mom had FUN in the end (everyone was kind of doubting I would be anything more than everyone's chauffeur!!) then it must be a cool thing.

Her boyfriend has decided to do the Portuguese portion first and is looking forward to it.

Frankly, I am now more interested in any type of pleasant walking route. Just have never taken the time to do any!

JudyC

Many thanks for sharing, enjoy the report very mcuh.

lincasanova

Thanks. My daughter is going up to get her boyfriend this week who has just finished a large portion of the Portuguese route. Lots of nice tales to be told!

noe847

I love this report! Thanks for sharing the practical information, but even more, your impressions. Walking in a Jubilee Year, and ending up on the Eve of the feast day must have been a very special way to experience the Camino.

Some day I'd love to walk, but I have a very bad foot. We are getting our feet wet, so to speak, by bicycling the Camino this summer. Your report has really got me excited!

amer_can

Wow...My daughter has a year's sabbatical and will be in Spain for indepth Espanol..I, at 80yrs, will join her and walk the walk or at least talk the talk and try the walk..thanks for the wonderful insights, She did part of the walk 2 years ago while in Haja so it will be old hat gor her but new hat for me..another notch in my travel belt..

WillTravel

Forgive me for such a mundane question, but what are the toilet facilities like on the trail? I've heard lots of people talk about the Camino, but I have neglected to ask that question.

lincasanova

Well, you sometimes have the woods.. but every few miles there are villages ( on the part of the train I covered) and many times you actually are walking through a proper town.

I am sure there are other parts or section of the trail that are less inhabited, but I was pleasantly surprised at the accessibility of everything. You virtually would have to carry nothing but water if you wanted or snacks as we found cafés and restaurants all along the way.

The section we did is not one of the most remote sections as of course the closer you get to Santiago on any of the various trails coming from all directions, the more civilization there is.

Thank you so much for topping this. Re-reading it, myself, has brought back many pleasant emotions. Great memories. Thanks all for taking the time to comment!

lincasanova

meant to say "trail" not "train".

Robin4

I am so happy to see this report, thanks. It answers several of my questions.

I was wondering if I'd be looking for trouble by walking a few stretches alone. Although I'll have company for most of the Camino, I would like to try it by myself. My sons were worried about their 65 year old mother's safety (truth be told, so was I).

I heard about the service that can carry your pack from town to town, I was not sure if I could trust them. It is funny, I've never met you but after reading Fodor's for so many years, I feel much more confident.

lincasanova

I'm glad I have made you feel confident. I am just a tad younger than you.. so I'd do it in a heartbeat.

It is so well organized. ( You cannot get lost) However, I would not probably take a ride from anyone I didn´t know.

I am sure you will meet some lovely people along the way. Enjoy planning. If I can answer any questions feel free to ask, although I don´t know a whole lot more than what I have posted, I fear!

Viajero2

Linca-- I am going back to The Camino; due to limited time I will be walking Pamplona- Burgos. Where is the town you had the nice "pulpo"?

Viajero2

Robin- I am a female and crossed the Pyrenees (first day of El Camino Frances!) completely by myself. Have ZERO worries about been a solo female traveler- El Camino is incredibly well marked and safe. I used Jacotrans for luggage transfers (7-9 Euros/day) all along The Camino and recommend them.

lincasanova

....We had great Pulpo in Melide.. at a famous place on the main road called Pulpería Ezequiel. It has long wooden tables and benches. Our huge group walked in and within moments all 27 were seated and waiting for the bottles of Ribeira to appear. They also had fresh delicious salads and delicious wine. We ate for 13E/person. I believe each bottle of wine was 3E....



but i think pulpo is pretty good everywhere up there!

This town is not on your way at all.

Have a great camino!

ribeirasacra

lincasanova did you see the section Viajero2 is walking? Outside of Galicia...hopefully they can find some Pulpo. but it will not taste as good as the way the Galicians make it.
Talking of Pulpo the best place, so they say, in Glaicia to partake in Carballiño. I prefer to eat mine at any market, outside in a marque is far better than in a restaurant, with the TV blaring away.

Leburta

By coincidence, just happened onto the movie The Way (Martin Sheen) on the plane. Missed the beginning, so I'll need to see it again, but it was very interesting.

Your post is very inspiring and thought-provoking. I'm tempted but worry that my old knees will fail me.

lincasanova

If you can walk through a mall.. then you can do spurts of the camino. One need not do hundreds of miles to enjoy the stroll. Just be picky about which sections you choose. Stay at special places and make it a real calm holiday. You may only end up walking a few miles one day or another, but will have seen some beautiful scenery, met some interesting people I am sure, and definitely had some fine food.

Ribeira.. yes, I looked up the two cities and I , nor my husband , have done that part. I didn't actually look up the path , itself, but it must be very pretty.

I'll have to keep Carballiño in mind when we get back to that part of the country.

cruiseluv

Hi Lin,

I'm working on (finally!) planning to walk a portion of the Camino in 2012, maybe from near O'Cebreiro to Santiago. Did you use a company to help you with the booking of hotels? If so, could you share the name and alos the name of the properties wher you stayed? I was originally considering an escorted tour with Fresco Tour, but now I'm leaning to do an independent walk with assistance with hotel booking and lugagge transfer. I'll probably do it with my adult son.

Thanks in advance for any further info!

lincasanova

We stopped for drinks/rest our tootsies here and thought it looked inviting and simple.

www.mercadoiro.com

then I really want to stay here on or two nights next time.

http://fogardelecer.blogspot.com/2009/02/arzua.html

write me at my screen name at yahoo dot com and I will get you some more info.

If you re-read my report you will see I liked the Barbadello portion a lot one day.

lincasanova

Villafranca del Bierzo is a fine little town to start or to come into. The parador just reopened last year and there are a lot of rural accommodations.


http://www.pazosdegalicia.com/pazos.php has some beautiful accommodations.

taconictraveler

Lin: thanks for a fascinating read! I'm going to see The Way this evening, so it is serendipitous that I finish reading your report this afternoon. Thanks for all of it, and for your great attitude!