Advertisement
Published: March 10th 2012
The Camino de Santiago
I wasn't going to do this; That is, talk about the history of the Camino and all the little details. However, my family, or rather really just my mother, seems to need some sort of peace of mind and I am hoping that by presenting the Camino as the well established journey that it is, might help. **If interested, see previous blog to find out why I am wakling the Camino... There are many caminos, long distance pathways/walks, all over the world. But none have quite reached the popularity level as the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. The Camino involves a pilgrimage route leading to the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela which is where the supposed remains of St James the apostle are burried.
The Camino de Santiago has existed for over a thousand years and was once one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the Medieval times. Legend has it that the remains of Saint James were transported from Jerusalem to Northern Spain where his remains were said to have been burried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. For
this reason many take on the pilgrimage with a religious purpose, but all are welcome to walk the way for whatever their reason spiritual or not.
Pilgrims on the Way of Saint James follow many different routes, with the Camino Frances being one of the most extensive and popular choices. This specific route is about 800km/500mi, starting in St Jean Pied de Port and of course ending at Santiago de Compostela. The average length of time that it takes to walk the entire distance of this route is about five weeks.
The way is marked by yellow arrows,
flecha amarillo, which point in the direction to be traveled. These are the waymarks used so that pilgrims know which way to travel; Although, it is not uncommon to get off tract at least once. Along the way pilgrims stay in pilgrim hostels, refugios or albergues that are set up to accomodate those traveling the Camino. In order to stay at pilgrim hostels and to receive a compostela (certificate demostrating completion of the Camino de Santiago), you need to provide proof that you have walked the whole distance. This is why you must have a pilgrim passport/credential with rubber stamps
of each of the albergues that you have stayed in along the way.
Hundreds of thousands of people, err millions actually, have done this walk, including many solo female travlers. I am not the first and certainly will not be the last. It could be worse Mom, I could have decided to trek the Appalachian Trail... actually, that's not a bad idea! Hmm... just kidding ...you know that next on my list is the Silk Route anyhow 😊
My Packing List Clothes -2 pairs of shorts
-2 pairs of legging/pants
-2 short sleeve shirts
-1 long sleeve shirt
-3 pairs of socks
-3 pairs of undies
-2 sports bras
-1 fleece
-1 lightweight rain jacket
-1 swimsuit
-1 pair of sleeping shorts and shirt
-1 pair of flip flops
-1 pair of walking boots
-sunglasses
Sleeping -1 lightweight sleeping bag liner
-1 blanket
-pillow case (will stuff clothes in to use at night)
-ear plugs
Medical -suntan lotion
-antiseptic cream
-advil
-chapstick
-cloth tape and medical tape
-bandaids
-sterile gauze
-a moleskin type of covering for blisters
-small scissors
-sewing kit (mostly to drain blisters)
Toiletries -deodorant
-toothbrush
-toothpaste
-floss
-dr Bronner's 18-in-1 soap
-litte container of disposible detergent tabs (to wash clothes by hand)
-extra contacts
-contact case
-saline solution
-glasses and case
-towel
-three packs of tissues
-brush
Money Belt -cash moneyyy $$$
-passport
-credit card
-ATM
Pack -rain cover for pack
-water bladder
Misc -trekking poles
-guidebook
-flashlight
-journal and pen
-extra plastic bags
-duct tape
-digital camera
-cell phone
-iPod
-charger
-power plug adapter kit
-thin rope for clothesline (8 ft)
-safety pins
***and last but not least, a picture of my dog ....oh and husband!
I am going to pack a few extra pieces of clothing for my first two weeks which will be spend in Barcelona and... where ever else I may venture. I will most likely just discard the extra clothing before starting on my Camino.
UGH writing out the list makes it seem like I am taking a lot of crap with me! My pack with everything in it weighs about 17.5lbs, which is actually pretty good... but it does feel a lot heavier than that when it's sitting on your back. I tried my best to stick with the bare minimum because frankly I do not want to be hulling around any extra weight then what I've already got on me.
When thinking about convenience, I cannot help but to think how nice it would be to have a... ready for this one...
fanny pack. Oh the shame! Yes, I think I am going to buy a fanny pack and use it. I will have to dwell over this a little bit more and let you know if I actually do get one...
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! Love you 😊
Advertisement
Tot: 0.088s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 10; qc: 32; dbt: 0.0341s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Walking Woman
Jacqui Schebella
Fanny packing ?
I HAD to laugh when reading your comment on the decision to POSSIBLY buy a 'Fanny Pack'. They are called Bum Bags in Australia because here a 'Fanny' is the term for female front bits!!! lol lol - but Diane and I have had the same angst over using one... simply because of the high dullness/dag/and yes - shame factor ......someone at work was saying to me that her sister had removed her already packed bum bag , saying 'NO sister of mine is going to be seen around Paris with one of THOSE things strapped to her' lol lol ..... but I have to confess when we have done longer walks it is a VERY handy thing to have because money/camera/phone/passport/tissues etc etc are all immediately to hand .... we are now 15 days away from leaving Australia - having 3 Bon Voyage parties this weekend ! After that we have to work 9 out of next 11 days ... and will then prob collapse on the plane weeping gently ! :-) Cheers Jacqui