Questions and Answers about the Camino
I am in Viana which is about 10 km to go to Logrono. Have completed about 150 km with about 623 to go.
Looks loke I will spend more time in the albuergues and not bother with hotels for the foreseeable future. Was unable to email yesterday because the town only had one bar and the internet at the albergue was inoperative.
Slept really well last night and the meal at the albergue was fabulous.
Questions:
1. How long do you walk each day, approximately? I'm sure it depends on the terrain and other factors, but would like an idea.
A. 6-8 hours Have been doing 25-30 km each day. Terrain contimues to be a lot of up and down which slows the pace. A little more flat today and I was able to do the 30 km from Villamajor de Monjardin in 6 hours and 35 minutes. Today was a great day because it was cloudy, cool and a bit breezy. The heat can be a killer.
2. What have the refugios been like? Full of people? Clean?
A. They have all been very good. Each one has filled up and in fact they have had to turn people away towards the evening.
3. How many pilgrims have you encountered, e.g. in the refugios or passed along the way? Hardly any? Dozens? 100?
A. Lots of pilgrims. I passsed probably 20 today. I am guessing that each stage has about 75 people. Not all are going all the way and some are moving very slowly. What I have done in 6 days some have taken 8-10.
4. How many different countries have they come from, or do you have an idea? I'm sure you haven't spoken to each one, but those to whom you've spoken, where are they from?
A. Denmark, Ireland, England, Hungary, Germany, France, Spain, Brazilo, Venezuela, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Australia so far
5. How is it working with washing out your stuff every night? Does it dry by morning or are you walking the path with your gotchies flapping in the wind behind you?
A. Every albergue has washing failities and clotheslines strung up all over the place. Stuff has been dry within a few hours with the warm weather and wind. Nothing flapping so far
6. What time do you leave in the mornings? Do you get breakfast at the refugio or do you have to buy something the day before to keep for breakfast?
A. Have been leaving between 6:15 and 6:45. Only a couple of places have provided breakfast. We stop at a bar or mercado along the way and have a coffee and then buy fruit and pana and cheese and sausage. Every town has a square where you can get a bench and eat your breakfast or lunch.
7. What about lunch? Can you eat in the towns through which you pass, or do you have to carry some food?
A. See above
8. How do other people's packs compare to yours: heavier or lighter?
A. Mine is pretty heavy compared to others. A few send their big packs ahead by car to the next place they are planning to stay....camino lite!
9. Do you find the walking staff helpful? How?
A. I would recommend it highly. It is like having a third leg. A lot of the terrain is really rough with rocks and mud and water and roots. The staff uis really good for going downhill under rough conditions. On steep uphills it helps to give me a push.
Looks loke I will spend more time in the albuergues and not bother with hotels for the foreseeable future. Was unable to email yesterday because the town only had one bar and the internet at the albergue was inoperative.
Slept really well last night and the meal at the albergue was fabulous.
Questions:
1. How long do you walk each day, approximately? I'm sure it depends on the terrain and other factors, but would like an idea.
A. 6-8 hours Have been doing 25-30 km each day. Terrain contimues to be a lot of up and down which slows the pace. A little more flat today and I was able to do the 30 km from Villamajor de Monjardin in 6 hours and 35 minutes. Today was a great day because it was cloudy, cool and a bit breezy. The heat can be a killer.
2. What have the refugios been like? Full of people? Clean?
A. They have all been very good. Each one has filled up and in fact they have had to turn people away towards the evening.
3. How many pilgrims have you encountered, e.g. in the refugios or passed along the way? Hardly any? Dozens? 100?
A. Lots of pilgrims. I passsed probably 20 today. I am guessing that each stage has about 75 people. Not all are going all the way and some are moving very slowly. What I have done in 6 days some have taken 8-10.
4. How many different countries have they come from, or do you have an idea? I'm sure you haven't spoken to each one, but those to whom you've spoken, where are they from?
A. Denmark, Ireland, England, Hungary, Germany, France, Spain, Brazilo, Venezuela, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Australia so far
5. How is it working with washing out your stuff every night? Does it dry by morning or are you walking the path with your gotchies flapping in the wind behind you?
A. Every albergue has washing failities and clotheslines strung up all over the place. Stuff has been dry within a few hours with the warm weather and wind. Nothing flapping so far
6. What time do you leave in the mornings? Do you get breakfast at the refugio or do you have to buy something the day before to keep for breakfast?
A. Have been leaving between 6:15 and 6:45. Only a couple of places have provided breakfast. We stop at a bar or mercado along the way and have a coffee and then buy fruit and pana and cheese and sausage. Every town has a square where you can get a bench and eat your breakfast or lunch.
7. What about lunch? Can you eat in the towns through which you pass, or do you have to carry some food?
A. See above
8. How do other people's packs compare to yours: heavier or lighter?
A. Mine is pretty heavy compared to others. A few send their big packs ahead by car to the next place they are planning to stay....camino lite!
9. Do you find the walking staff helpful? How?
A. I would recommend it highly. It is like having a third leg. A lot of the terrain is really rough with rocks and mud and water and roots. The staff uis really good for going downhill under rough conditions. On steep uphills it helps to give me a push.
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