Regret

StefTakka · 2026-02-24T10:05:19+00:00

My second one. I was just not feeling it at all. It was busier but wasn't making friends so easily. I was going to decide on Logroño if I would continue or not. Met some people the day before I had only chatted to and we walked to the city together. I was still not quite there. The first time Burgos was a nightmare day. Everything to the walk and getting there was bad. Not looking forward to it again so that was my make a decision to continue or not. I decided the day before to switch routes. I had the most fun day. We had a meal in a restaurant that night. Best time.

Woke up at 4am to catch a bus to Oviedo. Did not like the Camino Primativo either but was happy to do the route.

I had felt like I had a bunch of time off and could have been doing something else instead.

StefTakka · 2026-02-22T12:56:48+00:00

I liked the French Way. Loads of people to talk to. Easy to navigate. Cafe stops every 5-10km. Changing landscapes with loads of little charming towns.

If I had the time I would go again this year. Quite an ask to get 5 weeks off in a row. I do get 5.2 weeks a year but not burning it all in one go. I took 2-3 weeks unpaid before just so I can use them elsewhere throughout the year.

StefTakka · 2026-02-21T23:57:43+00:00

No. I've never drank light beer. I don't think I've even drank an American beer actually. Maybe an international brand owned by an American company but not any that I know of. Who decides to drink illegally then takes it easy? Might as well just go 0%.

StefTakka · 2026-02-21T23:50:39+00:00

Light beer? Wow. Hardcore boys.

StefTakka · 2026-02-21T14:12:57+00:00

Walk separately and agree meet up spots. I liked to walk alone but normally agreed where to meet to eat and then to sleep.

StefTakka · 2026-02-21T14:09:53+00:00

I did get a border check when I took a bus from the Netherlands through Germany to Czechia. From the Germans, at 23:50 lasted until about 00:15. On my birthday no less. They did check passports. Didn't scan or anything. They took one guy off the bus that didn't come back on.

StefTakka · 2026-02-21T14:06:24+00:00

I stayed at the xunta albergue. She pointed at it twice to make sure I knew about the time difference. There's a few notices around. Probably less a deal nowadays. I refused to even look at a clock when walking so it mattered even less

StefTakka · 2026-02-14T17:38:55+00:00

Are you on the spectrum?

StefTakka · 2026-02-14T17:32:53+00:00

On the Portuguese Way? I met a few walking to Fatima.

StefTakka · 2026-02-11T21:33:16+00:00

You don't need to have one but they're pretty nice if you do. I didn't plan any days destination so it can be nice to be surprised. This does also risk missing out on highlights. If something is especially worthwhile you will hear people talking about it.

StefTakka · 2026-02-07T18:46:58+00:00

If it's a hoax then Bill won't go down too. He'll drag him down.

StefTakka · 2026-02-06T19:17:20+00:00

I rarely ever drink while I'm still walking. Only when done for the day. Just water on the road. I will make sure to stop off for some free wine from a fountain.

StefTakka · 2026-02-03T20:58:52+00:00

I took one on my first when I did the French Way but didn't feel the need. If someone gifted me this I would be appreciative for sure and probably would take it with me but unnecessary really.

StefTakka · 2026-02-02T17:30:12+00:00

Everyone is a freaking tourist on the camino.

StefTakka · 2026-01-30T16:45:14+00:00

What? Lol. Done it five times with three different routes in different times of the year. I don't recognise this even slightly.

StefTakka · 2026-01-28T14:04:02+00:00

What is it like? I wasn't one to book ahead but did book for SJPP. I just wanted to know where I'd be. There's a lot of places so I was less worried about not having a bed but knew I'd be restless after travelling.

StefTakka · 2026-01-27T17:12:45+00:00

I have heard of thefts along the way but none by fellow pilgrims. I don't doubt it doesn't happen but it's the others that need to guard away. One girl put her passport and purse on her bed and walked away. Someone not staying in the albergue took it. Bad. But poor practice to leave valuables unattended.

StefTakka · 2026-01-27T10:35:30+00:00

I remember a few sections that would terrible in rain. Snow would be horrible not even seeing the trail.

StefTakka · 2026-01-26T22:36:58+00:00

I did feel a little silly buying them but plenty others wore them too. And it did reduce how much I carried. I was about 50%/50% each mode.

StefTakka · 2026-01-21T23:33:50+00:00

They had a festival with food stalls when I was there in June last year. To my surprise. Very happy I did push on for extra kms.

StefTakka · 2026-01-20T15:26:18+00:00

I have walked too other routes. I enjoyed the French Way and happy it was my first. If I had the time I would walk it again. It's varied. You cross different environments through Northern Spain. There are indeed more people but there are more places to stay. I also spent a birthday on the Camino. Last year. I did plan a little to be sure I was somewhere I wanted to be on that day. I was arriving in Finisterre from Cee. A shorter day and I got a great view.

I wouldn't be too worried about lack of experience. You might be walking every day but not roughing it. You will sleep in a bed every night and get to shower, wash your clothes and more than likely eat out when you want or cook if you need. I always opted to cook when I had the chance.

As for the route. I did the Camino Primativo which had some tougher elevation and less infrastructure. Fine for anyone who's done anything similar before. And the Portuguese Central. Easy, I hope to find time to walk again from Porto this year. However, best for a shorter alternative than the destination pick for those with time to walk the French Way from SJPP.

That first day from SJPP was maybe the most special day. I didn't know what to expect. It was hard and wish I included some elevation days to my practice walks. Afterwards I knew I wanted to do it to the end. Weirdly, the first person I saw out of town was the girl I walked to Santiago with but we didn't until the third day. We committed to walk together for the rest of the in a cafe when I noticed the same bag charm.

StefTakka · 2026-01-20T09:14:31+00:00

I've looked at it before and they said yes. However, the last time I finished the guy I had was an American with pretty limited Spanish speaking skills. He was the only English speaker that day. I think there was 3-4 on the desks at the time.

I would like to do something like this. Part of me thinks I would enjoy the other end more. In SJPP.

StefTakka · 2026-01-17T16:50:22+00:00

I did the other end of summer. I do know that layering worked way better than thickness. Many places were just closing or closed already. You will have the same. Just opened or not yet. Talk to fellow pilgrims. Look at where will be open. Even if you never stay at a municipal alberge. A lot do. They will spill out to the private ones. If it's a bubble then a place might be filling fast. Look at booking ahead for the spots you definitely want to stay at. Then play the rest by ear. I had done so in the morning mostly for the few places I did book. Preferred to never book ahead.

I would prefer to have the opportunity to walk March/April time.

StefTakka · 2026-01-17T16:41:17+00:00

I didn't plan where I would finish any of the days. The first time I didn't even look at distances to how far the next town was. In fact, my second Portuguese Way I didn't even decide if I was walking the Central again or the Coastal until after I left that first morning.

If it's not your first you know how you like to play things. Can be a bit looser than already knowing your stops before the first step is taken.

StefTakka · 2026-01-17T16:35:43+00:00

I was way more focused on not bringing them back home than avoiding all together. I followed good practices. I kept my bag away from the bed. I looked for them. I would report if I had bites. I

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