CAMINO de SANTIAGO | 10 things no one tells you before you start! 🥾

I did the Camino Frances in April and May 2023. My tips for a healthy Camino: 1: Train with the gear you are going to walk with. Start your training as early as possible. 2: Spend a lot of time finding the right shoe/sock combination. I walked 603 miles with no blisters or foot problems. 3: Get a good headlamp with a green or red light to use in the albergue so you don't disturb people. 4: Walk your own pace. 5: Book ahead if the Camino is crowded. Knowing you have a bunk at the end of the day makes for a better day of walking. 6: There is no right way or wrong way to walk the Camino, enjoy the hard days and the easy days. Buen Camino

I walked Camino April,May/23 Number one- forget about bacteria’s, viruses and fungi for few weeks ( I am physician) and you will have less anxiety! Always have in your backpack- sardines, bread ( even from supper before, prosciutto, orange and of course water. Picnic middle of nowhere-alone , with someone - fantastic experience. One soap for face, body and hair. Only 35 liters backpack.Don’t overthink all details, gadgets, cosmetics! It takes away all beauty of being pilgrim and doesn’t distance you from what you left behind. Instead of worrying where, how, when I will sleep- I always thought “Camino magic works “, “world will provide “, “ God will take care of it “ if you are religious. Not even once!!! I took the pain pill ( home I do!). “Columbia “ shoes above the ankle, walking sticks ( going down hill- specially for me) and …..stop to listen to the birds, see poppies, make some photos. When you come back- spread your word about Camino, but only to those, who want to listen. Tell your mom, father, grandmother, grandpa - I had my most beautiful 72-birthday ever ( despite army of my friends far away). My next birthday and Camino- PRIMITIVO! Buen Camino!!! Elizabeth

For me the most important tip is: Eat enroute before arriving at destination, if arrival is after 2 pm or so…everything will be closed, and you’ll starve until early evening😂😂

Hi Kate, this is a very helpful video for those who may be contemplating this most wonderful journey of the soul. I walked my first camino in 2018, starting at the end of August in SJPP and finishing some 50 days later in Finisterre! Yes, I took my time, had several rest days and I live in Spain anyway, so I had no deadline to catch a return flight to somewhere. My advice, for what it's worth, would be the following: 1. Don't set a cracking pace in the first few days, either to keep up with others or to reach somewhere by a set time. Even pushing your pace 10% more than normal can lead to various injuries early on. 2. There will be times when you are tired and a bit cranky, so try not to be stubborn with situations and people - let things ride and go with the flow. Be patient with yourself and others. You never know what the other person is going through. 3. Accept that lack of good sleep, tiredness and various aches and pains are part of the experience - unless you are incredibly lucky not to experience any of those things. 4. Enjoy the spectacular views, the countryside and all it entails - for many this might be their only opportunity to walk the route. 5. It helps to speak a bit of Spanish, that way you can communicate more with the people who live in the towns and villages that you'll be passing through or staying in. 6. Deal with any minor niggles and injuries early, BEFORE they become more problematic. If that means shorter distances, slower pace, some rest days, change of footwear etc., then so be it. It is better to respond proactively, rather than go through a self-imposed torture. 7. In the hotter weather, take hydration, shade, sun protection and rest very seriously - consider finishing walking before 1pm (even if that means setting off at 7am or earlier). Protect yourself from sunstroke and heatstroke, it can be very dangerous if you don't. 8. Find out a little about the history of each place on the route, as this may provide more meaning to the experience. It will also help you to be more in-tune with the culture and the locations. 9. There will no doubt be times of tears, laughter, grimace, euphoria and who knows what else - live it, feel it, embrace it in all its fulness. With a bit of grace, there's every chance that you may emerge like a butterfly from its cocoon by the end if your pilgrimage. It may be just one of many such awakenings and realisations along the way. 10. Consider listening more and talking less. Silent and listen - these two words share the same letters!

In my life I made many long trail tracks,in snow in desert, but at age 67 i realised what is walking in paradise.It is Camino de Santiago. I found much more than you can imagine. I met firends. they helped me and I found much more. It is not important where you start your Camino. It is important that you a on the correct way!!!! Buen camino.

Brilliant Kate! Absolutely spot on! I found that when I set off part of my objective aside from moving through loss, I wanted to get a glimmer of how I wanted to live out the rest of my life. As I moved across the Camino and returned home…more importantly I know fundamentally how I don’t want to live. Thank you for sharing and thank you for the laughs, friendship and shared experiences! Buen Camino!

that was excellent Kate! and I've seen many vids. Bravo

There is nothing to know or to prepare to walk this journey. It has already called you and will give you everything you need. It is a very personal journey and you will learn as you go.

Great video. Thanks for the tips. I will take all these into consideration.

isn't it funny all our friends know we can't stop talking about camino, but in your experiences we can vent out this joy bring a friend !! Yhank You Kate!!

I am thinking about doing a camino route this summer so this was very helpful! Thanks :)

Congratulations and thank you for a very informative video!

Hahaha! Your tip about the bathroom lights going out brought back memories! Great tip 😆 Buen Camino from a fellow pilgrim.

Nice Job Kate. I can identify with all of these from my time on the Camino (all except for #3… this one seems to be more unique to Frances Camino). I had to laugh about #10. Hahaha. So true! You have added a lot of things to this list I had never even thought about. It was fun reflecting on your 10 items. Thanks for sharing.

Perceptive advice. I'd emphasise the sheer practicality of a bar of soap. (Don't lose the container!) Also, keep your footwear on the loose side, and consider taping up vulnerable areas of feet.

Thank you for the tips Kate , some usefull information in there

If you walk a Camino in colder or wetter months or season the dormitory radiators and heaters are also on timers that turn off at night. This means anything you hang on a heater to dry overnight won’t dry. When you combine this with less sunlight during shorter days, drying wet boots and clothes is a real issue. Public washing machines and dryers are expensive for small loads. Summer is generally fine for drying if you get in to your alberge early enough. ✌️❤️🙏🇦🇺

Thanks for the tips!

Amazing !!

Nice video Kate. Well thought out.