YOU on the Camino de Santiago
You want to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain but where do you start? What is your first step in preparing and planning for such a big undertaking? Whether you have just now heard of the Camino, or if your flights are booked and you have a start date, this podcast will walk with you as you take your first steps of preparing, planning, and starting your Camino experience. Guide and long-time pilgrim Nancy Reynolds shares her 17 years of experience walking the Camino and leading 13 small groups on the Camino Francés - plus interviews with new pilgrims getting ready for their first ever Camino walks.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
THE NATURE OF CAMINO CONNECTIONS
In my favorite book, The Art of Pilgrimage, author Phil Cousineau talks about "bringing back the boon." What does that mean?
What are the key elements of the Camino experience, and how do you keep them alive in the weeks, months, and years after your pilgrimage?
Join me as I chat with pilgrim David and learn how he brought the pilgrim spirit back into his community.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST,
and get your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap. Then each week you will receive tips and updates about the Camino de Santiago. And who knows, maybe we will be able to connect on the trail!
BE A GUEST ON SEASON THREE OF THIS PODCAST!
Let me know you are interested by submitting the podcast guest request form. I am looking for first-time pilgrims planning to walk September through December, 2023, and any time in 2024, any route.
WALK WITH ME IN 2023!
Let's set up a Zoom call to talk about your Camino dreams and joining one of my September getting-started Camino groups. Not walking in 2023? No problem, the tentative dates for 2024 are here, too.
DONATE TO THE DAMIEN HOUSE
Donations to the Damien House, the charity David is supporting, are always welcome.
Related: In my first conversation with David, we talked about how to pack for the Camino.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
LIVE SIMPLY AND DO COOL SH*T
That's Kathy's motto, and walking the Camino del Norte certainly fits.
Through her preparations for this long walk across Northern Spain, Kathy is finding her courage and learning that it is okay to be the person she wants to be and truly is.
For Kathy, the Camino began the moment she said "yes!", and she has embarked on a journey of discovery that will take her to Santiago de Compostela . . . and then who knows where!
In addition to courage and finding your true self, we also talk about some more practical topics like what to do if you can't find a bed or if you lose the trail.
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT PILGRIM ORGANIZATIONS
American Pilgrims on the Camino
Canadian Company of Pilgrims
Confraternity of Saint James (UK)
BE A GUEST ON SEASON THREE OF THIS PODCAST!
Let me know you are interested by submitting the podcast guest request form. I am looking for first-time pilgrims planning to walk September through December, 2023, and any time in 2024, any route.
GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE CAMINO PLANNING ROADMAP,
and join my email list to receive weekly tips and updates about the Camino de Santiago.
WALK WITH ME IN 2023!
Let's set up a Zoom call to talk about your Camino dreams and joining one of my September getting-started Camino groups. Not walking in 2023? No problem, the tentative dates for 2024 are here, too.
DREAMING OF A WINTER CAMINO WALK?
Check out Anne Born's book, Buen Camino! Tips from a WINTER Pilgrims
THE WEBSITES WE TALKED ABOUT
The Gronze website gives a tremendous amount of information for all Camino routes.
The pilgrim.es website offers stage-by-stage suggestions for each of the main Camino routes.
Related: Listen to the first conversation Kathy and I had, back in fall 2022.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
PILGRIM TIPS, INSIGHTS, AND HOW TO GIVE BACK
Maurice from Asheville, North Carolina, shares his thoughts on getting ready for his first pilgrimage on the Camino Francés, along with his three tips for other first time pilgrims.
We cover a number of topics, including another long answer from Nancy - this time on travel insurance.
CONNECT WITH NANCY
If you will be attending the annual Gathering of the American Pilgrims on the Camino, let's connect! Email: youonthecamino@gmail.com
Or, connect and get your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap by signing up for my email list.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PILGRIMS ON THE CAMINO
It's too late to attend the 2023 annual APOC Gathering, but you can find out more about the organization and find your local chapter on their website.
CHECK OUT LEIGH BRENNAN'S PODCAST
Maurice learned about the "YOU on the Camino de Santiago" podcast from this episode of The Camino Cafe podcast.
DONATE TO THE PRODUCTION FUND
This podcast is free and always will be. Donations for the production fund are gratefully accepted. You can donate here.
Related: Maurice mentioned he had been checking flight fares with my favorite website for that, Matrix ITA Software. I talk about that website in the episode on the most popular starting points on the Camino Francés.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
THE SACRED PRACTICE OF PILGRIMAGE
With special guest, Father Michael Barham.
In 2001, Michael made the Camino pilgrimage by foot, walking 500 miles from the French border town of St. Jean Pied-de-Port to the shrine of St. James the Greater in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
And that was just the start. After completing several more pilgrimages to ancient, holy sites in Europe, Michael wrote his thesis on pilgrimage, and gave it the beautiful title, Holy Lingering: A Spiritual Reflection Model for Compostelan Pilgrims.
In this episode you are going to hear all about Michael’s love of pilgrimage and how he has incorporated that practice into his life and ministry.
Michael shares with us how walking the Camino invites us to bring the practice of pilgrimage into our daily lives, and shows us how the big pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela is calling us to explore smaller, closer-to-home pilgrimage places – simple, quiet, less-well-known places that give us space and time for reflection, meditation, and prayer.
Our conversation covered so many nuances of pilgrimage and walking the Camino, making this the perfect topic to kick off the 2023 Camino de Santiago pilgrimage season.
SMALL PILGRIM PLACES
Learn more about the Small Pilgrim Places Network referenced by Michael.
GET YOUR FREE ROADMAP!
Click here to get your free copy of Nancy's Camino Planning Roadmap. You will also be added to Nancy's email list so you can receive more tips and helpful information for planning your pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.
DONATE TO THE PRODUCTION FUND
This podcast is free and always will be. Donations for the production fund are gratefully accepted. You can donate here.
Related: Get your copy of The Art of Pilgrimage by Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
HOLAAAAA!
It's time for Spanish for the Camino with María Seco. In this episode we will be learning some language rules for how to correctly pronounce words in Spanish. Specifically, we will focus on place names on the Camino Francés, learning tips you can use to pronounce any word in Spanish.
FOLLOW ALONG WITH OUR SPANISH LESSONS
Go to the How to Pronounce Place Names page of Nancy's website for the list of words we will be learning in this episode.
GET YOUR FREE ROADMAP!
Click here to get your free copy of Nancy's Camino Planning Roadmap. You will also be added to Nancy's email list so you can receive more tips and helpful information for planning your pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.
LEARN SPANISH WITH MARIA
Check out all the great things María has to offer pilgrims who want to enhance their experience of walking the Camino.
Related: Nancy was a guest on María's podcast, and the interview was all in Spanish!
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED!
Pilgrims Andrea and Jason ask all the questions you are probably also asking by this point in the podcast series.
Grab your notebook and a pen, pour yourself a beverage, and plop into your favorite chair, because we are about to cover a lot of ground.
WALK WITH ME
Are you thinking of walking the Camino Francés in September? LET'S TALK! I will help you get off on the right foot.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
Related: Don't miss part one of the conversation with Andrea and Jason.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE MEETS FOMO
How do you plan but don't over plan for your first pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago? How do you make sure you don't miss out on any of the best sites and stops on the trail?
Find out how Andrea and Jason answer these questions as well as how they went from planning a two-week walk on the Camino to stepping out of their daily routine to spend five weeks walking the entire Camino Francés.
This is Part 1 of a two-part episode.
FREE STUFF & CAMINO TALK
Join Nancy's email list for even more tips and planning tools to help make your dream of walking the Camino a reality. (If you are on your phone, scroll down the home page to find the sign up form. If you are on a computer, scroll or look for the popup form after three seconds on the website.)
OTHER CAMINO PODCASTS
Nancy had the pleasure and privilege of being a guest on two other Camino podcasts. Check it out:
The Camino Cafe Podcast
Spanish for the Camino Podcast
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
NANCY'S CAMINO TRAINING GUIDE . . . for the non-athlete regular person who wants to walk all or part of the Camino de Santiago
How do you prepare for the physical challenges of walking the Camino de Santiago? Do you really need to prepare?
How much training do you need to do? What do you need to do – is it enough to just walk around your neighborhood a couple times a week? We will find out in this episode of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast!
Here are all the links mentioned in this episode:
LINK TO NANCY'S WEBSITE
Nancy's Camino Training Walking Plan
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
OTHER PODCASTS
The Camino Cafe Podcast with Leigh Brennan
Spanish for the Camino Podcast with Maria Seco
WORKOUTS AND INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
How to adjust your trekking pole straps, with Jayah Faye Paley
How to stretch for walking
Get the MapMyWalk App
The Tabata Workout
PopSugar Workouts
BOOK SUGGESTION
Walk in a Relaxed Manner, by Joyce Rupp
Related: Selecting Your Boots for the Camino
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
WALKING THE CAMINO WITH FAMILY
Meg from Tacoma, Washington, USA, is planning a walk on the Camino Francés with her mom and sister - in the heat of July.
How does the weather impact your Camino? Is it better to walk alone or should you be recruiting family and friends to walk with you? And if you do walk with "your people", how do you ensure each person has the experience they are seeking?
In this episode, Meg shares how she and her family are preparing for their Camino walk, leveraging each person's strengths and interests.
WALK WITH ME!
Is this your year to walk the Camino de Santiago?
Let’s begin this journey together, with expert guidance getting ready and getting started on the Camino Francés route.
And let’s get you connected to the pilgrim community before you start your walk, with a small group of pilgrims who are, like you, embarking on their first ever pilgrimageon the Camino de Santiago. Start here.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
BE A GUEST ON THIS PODCAST
Are you ready to share your getting-ready Camino story and get some personalized advice on your planning and preparations? Let me know you are interested here.
Related: Who will you walk the Camino with?
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
HIKING CLOTHES & RAIN GEAR - Know what's right for you for your pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain
When you walk the Camino de Santiago you will be outdoors walking for hours each day. How do you dress for walking the Camino? And what will you wear when you are not walking, in the evenings? How do you protect yourself from the elements? What gear will you need for walking?
Our goal here is to be sure you have the right clothes for the job, which means, the right clothes for the weather you are likely to encounter while on the Camino. Having the right clothes will make it possible for you to pack light – no extras, just in case. It means you will be comfortable on the trail. It could even be a question of safety, which means staying dry and preventing overheating in hot weather and hypothermia in colder weather.
Here is what we will cover in this episode:
What hiking clothes you will need
What you will wear when you’re not walking
How to choose your rain gear
How many undergarments and pairs of socks to bring along
Does brand matter?
And of course, there is a top tip that’s sort of related to packing for the Camino (but not really).
Want to learn more about layering? Here is a good article on what hiking clothes to get.
If you want your Camino pilgrimage to be about more than just your packing list, come walk with me!
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
Related: Hear what an experienced pilgrim has to say about packing for the Camino.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
A CONVERSATION WITH PILGRIM KATHIE
Join me as Kathie from Dallas shares her experiences walking the Camino Francés in Fall 2022.
Last summer I had the pleasure of talking with Kathie as she was getting ready for her first-ever Camino pilgrimage. We talked about her fears, doubts, and concerns about walking the Camino de Santiago, plus her hopes and aspirations as she headed off into the unknown on what would be for her, a significant religious pilgrimage. You can listen to that conversation here.
Did Kathie’s greatest fears come to pass? Did she get lost on the meseta? Did she find a "Camino family"? And was it the walk with God, the Mother Mary, Jesus, and Saint James she hoped it would be? Find out in this episode of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast.
YOUR Camino Experience
What about you? Are you getting ready to walk your first Camino pilgrimage? You are invited to take advantage of all the getting-started resources available on Nancy’s website. Learn all about the Camino de Santiago and how to go from ‘yes, I want to do this!’ to your first steps on the trail.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
SHARE YOUR STORY
Would you like to share your story of getting ready to walk the Camino, and get some expert input on your planning and preparations? Be a guest on this podcast and let's spend some time together talking about your Camino dreams and answering your most urgent questions. Let me know you are interested here.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
SELECTING YOUR BACKPACK, PLUS GOALS FOR PACKING FOR THE CAMINO
Walking the Camino isn’t “normal” travel, it isn’t a weekend away, and it isn’t backpacking. It is something in between, something so different that it brings up all kinds of fears and self-doubt in people who already know how to travel. And for first-time travelers, the task of packing for the Camino may be completely confounding.
This is the second in a series of episodes on How to Pack for the Camino de Santiago. We will be building your packing list step by step, beginning with selecting the backpack or luggage that's best for the type of walk you will be doing.
How big of a backpack do you need? How do you be sure your backpack fits you well and will be comfortable for the many hours and days you will be carrying it on the Camino? Besides holding all your stuff, what else do you need from your backpack? What do all those straps do? This episode has the answers to all your backpack questions.
And here is the reference mentioned for how to get the right fit for your backpack: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-adjusting-fit.html
Wait! Before we even get to those questions, we will look out our goals for packing for the Camino:
Pack light
Pack simple
Pack smart
(Tell me more!)
COME WALK WITH ME!
Does the whole idea of getting ready to walk the Camino feel a bit daunting to you? Is the thought of having to start the walk alone not feeling quite right? Join me on the trail in May or September and we will get started together.
BE A GUEST ON THIS PODCAST
Would you like to share your experience of getting ready to walk the Camino de Santiago and receive some personalized guidance on your planning and preparations?
If you have not yet walked a Camino and would like to be a guest on this podcast, please let me know you are interested here.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
Related: What if you can’t or don’t want to carry your backpack the entire way? Learn all about the luggage transport services in this two-part episode.
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
PACKING FOR THE CAMINO
What do you really need to take with you when you walk the Camino? How much should your pack weigh? What happens if you take too much stuff?
Pilgrim David Guiterrez shares how he answered these questions while walking the Camino Francés in Fall 2022. There is some solid packing wisdom in this episode!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
David shares with us about his upcoming fundraiser to build awareness about the Camino and his mission work with Damien House in Ecuador. Damien house serves people with Hansen's disease (leprosy), giving them love and medical care as they navigate life under the stigma of this disease.
David is co-hosting a dinner on February 11, 2022, to raise money for Damien House. He and 30 other pilgrims will also be sharing with the attendees how the Camino impacted their lives and is leading them to make a bigger difference in their communities and the world. ***Donations welcome after the event, at any time.***
If you would like to make a financial donation in support of this organization, please go here: http://www.thedamienhouse.org/index.html Donations welcome at any time.
COME WALK WITH ME!
Are you getting ready to walk your first Camino pilgrimage? You are invited to take advantage of all the getting-started resources available on Nancy’s website. Learn all about the Camino de Santiago and how to go from ‘yes, I want to do this!’ to your first steps on the trail.
BE A GUEST ON THIS PODCAST
Would you like to share your experience of getting ready to walk the Camino de Santiago and receive some personalized guidance on your planning and preparations?
If you have not yet walked a Camino and would like to be a guest on this podcast, please let me know you are interested here.
#caminodesantiago #caminofrances #santiagodecompostela #camino #pilgrimage #travel #santiago
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
7 STEPS TO TRANSPORTING LUGGAGE ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
This is Part Two of a two-part episode. Did you miss Part One?
One of the most frequently asked about topics in the Camino Facebook groups and on the online forums is the luggage transport services on the Camino. You have probably heard pieces of information on this topic but I bet you've been left with some questions. In this two-part episode, we are going to cover this topic from end to end.
You might have some questions like:
How does it work?
What can I send with the transport services?
Is it safe?
What company should I use?
Do I have to book in advance or can I just wing it?
Is it easy to set up or is it complicated?
I don't speak Spanish so how's that going to work?
What if I have things I won’t need while walking?
Here is the whole story, broken down into seven easy to manage steps. It is so much information that breaking it into two smaller episodes seemed to make sense. Part One has steps 1 & 2, and Part Two has steps 3 through 7.
ALL THE DETAILS ON CASA IVAR, CORREOS, AND MORE
Here is a link for some of the luggage transport companies plus information on shipping and storing items in Santiago de Compostela:
BE A GUEST ON THIS PODCAST!
Let's spend some time together talking about your Camino dreams and answering your most urgent questions. Let me know you are interested here.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
Related: How do you select your backpack for the Camino?
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
7 STEPS TO TRANSPORTING LUGGAGE ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
One of the most frequently asked about topics in the Camino Facebook groups and on the online forums is the luggage transport services on the Camino. You have probably heard pieces of information on this topic but I bet you've been left with some questions. In this two-part episode, we are going to cover this topic from end to end.
You might have some questions like:
How does it work?
What can I send with the transport services?
Is it safe?
What company should I use?
Do I have to book in advance or can I just wing it?
Is it easy to set up or is it complicated?
I don't speak Spanish so how's that going to work?
What if I have things I won’t need while walking?
Here is the whole story, broken down into seven easy to manage steps. It is so much information that breaking it into two smaller episodes seemed to make sense. Part One has steps 1 & 2, and Part Two has steps 3 through 7.
ALL THE DETAILS ON CASA IVAR, CORREOS, AND MORE
Here is a link for the details on some of the luggage transport companies plus information on shipping and storing items in Santiago de Compostela:
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
BE A GUEST ON THIS PODCAST!
Let's spend some time together talking about your Camino dreams and answering your most urgent questions. Let me know you are interested here.
READY FOR PART TWO?
Here are steps 3 through7 on how to use the luggage transport services on the Camino.
Related: How do you select your backpack for the Camino?
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Your Camino Plan
This is the final episode of Season One of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast, and I want to thank you for tuning in each week, and for joining me on this journey to make your Camino dream a reality.
And when I say thank you I am sending that message out around the world. Do you know why? People are tuning in from the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and a few more – 44 countries in all. My global heart is so happy to have you here with me.
Thank you.
I hope you are finding this podcast helpful, useful, enjoyable . . . or at least interesting. What have you taken away from this season? Favorite top tips, most useful topics, new ideas for your Camino journey. What are your Camino plans? I would love to hear from you. I have an easy to remember email address where you can send me a note. It’s youonthecamino@gmail.com.
In This Episode
In this episode I share with you what I am working on for you for next year, and then I give you a wrap up of Season One. By now you should have a pretty solid Camino plan coming together.
I also give you a preview of Season Two and ask for your input on which topics are most important to you as you plan and prepare for your upcoming Camino pilgrimage.
Here are all the links I mentioned in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast:
> Tell me what you want for Season Two, which starts in late January
> Donate to the podcast production fund (or buy me a coffee or two!):
> Be a guest on this podcast
> Find out why you would start your Camino walk with The Camino Experience
Related: Never miss an episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast. (You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast player.)
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
How much does it cost to walk the Camino?
How does the amount you spend for your pilgrimage influence, or even determine the experience you will have on the Camino? Or from another perspective, think of the experience you want: how much will that cost?
The costs on the Camino are what they are, and in episodes 14 and 15 I shared with you what I paid for food and accommodations on the Camino Francés in 2022. That second question, though, is meant to suggest that you can spend however much – or little – you want on the Camino, in order to have the experience you want.
Your on-the-ground Camino expenses are largely made up of two categories: where you sleep and where and how you eat. When people ask how much does it cost to do the Camino, I think this is usually what they are asking about, so I am going to talk about those expenses first.
Then, I will look at how much your travel expenses might be, to get to the Camino and to your starting point, and then back home again. And finally, I will talk about those expenses that come before you get on the plane or train to go to the Camino, what I call preparation costs, or pre-travel expenses.
There is a fair amount of detail coming your way in this episode, so you may want to have handy a pen and paper to make some notes. Also, you may want to open the webpage with the sample budgets I put together for you, so you can refer to them as we go.
When you look at the sample budgets, you will notice that in order to put together your Camino budget, you will need to know a few things. For example, you will need to know how many days you expect to be on the Camino, how many days you want at you starting and ending points, and if you will continue on to Fisterra or Muxia after you reach Santiago.
There are a few other things you will need to know, and I will walk you through those in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Learn more about Eating on the Camino
Learn more about Sleeping on the Camino
Shop for flights, buses, trains, and taxis with Matrix ITA Software here.
Compare and shop for travel insurance policies on Squaremouth here.
Related: How can you save money while traveling (and not just on the Camino)?
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Where do You Find Food on the Camino?
What is available, when is it available, and how much does it all cost?
On the first day of my first Camino walk, I walked 17 kilometers powered only by pastries. Why? Because I had no idea where and, more importantly, when to find food in Spain.
Eating on the Camino can be an exciting adventure and a culinary journey in and of itself. Some days you will wade through a gourmet extravaganza provided by some very creative kitchens. Other days you will find yourself in a culinary wasteland, where the only goals are to stave off hunger and find some basic nutrition.
Either way, you won’t go hungry.
You may have heard that the Spanish diet is heavily oriented towards meat and bread. Where does that leave the vegan and vegetarian eaters? And what if you require a gluten free diet? Well, good news, things have been evolving in Spain, and there are now plenty of food options for everyone. You do have to work for it some, but it is completely doable. And I will include some tips for all of you in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast.
İBuen provecho!
Resources for Vegans and Vegetarians
Happy Cow: Website & app
Facebook groups:
- Vegetarians and Vegans on the Camino
- Camino de Santiago – Veg, Vegetarians and Vegans
Related: More details on eating and drinking on the Camino de Santiago, please!
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
And get your FREE copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually make the top 10 lists).
#youonthecamino
#caminodesantiago
#firsttimepilgrim
#thecaminoexperience
#caminopodcast
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Where do pilgrims sleep on the Camino? And What is an Albergue?
In this episode I give a full run-down on the what, the where, and the how-they-work of the pilgrim’s hostels, or albergues, on the Camino. And I explore the other sleeping options, in case sleeping in shared dorm rooms isn’t for you.
What about the idea that the albergues are the heart of the pilgrim community, and that true pilgrims stay only in the albergues? We will look at that, too, in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast.
Camino Resources
Here are my favorite websites that have up-to-date lists of albergues:
- Gronze
- Eroski Consumer
Here are the most popular Camino Apps:
- Camino Ninja (not available in some places, and not updated since summer 2022)
- Wise Pilgrim
- Buen Camino
Ready to Upgrade from the Albergues?
Discover the Spanish Parador Hotels
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Correction:
According to the list of albergues handed out by the Pilgrim's Office in Saint Jean Pied de Port, roughly 40% of the albergues on the Camino Francés are open all year (not roughly half, as mentioned).
Related: What else do you need to know about staying in the albergues?
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Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Someday-Pilgrim Kimberly Talks About the Idea of Walking the Camino de Santiago
From the kindness of strangers to gaining an expanded sense of community to being connected to centuries of history - there is so much to be discovered and experienced by walking the Camino de Santiago.
Join me for a poignant and uplifting conversation with Kimberly as she explores the possibility of someday being a pilgrim on the Camino in Spain or Portugal, in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast.
UPDATE: The fabulous albergue mentioned at the end of this episode - Vagabond Vieiras - is no longer a donativo albergue. You can now reserve your bed and pizza dinner in advance on booking.com. Or simply turn up as you walk through the beautiful Valcarce valley.
Say YES! to Walking the Camino
How do you take your dream of walking the Camino de Santiago someday to actually taking your first steps on the trail? Check out The Camino Experience to learn how to go from "yes, I want to do this!" to making that dream a reality.
Be a Guest on This Podcast
For all of you first-time or someday-pilgrims, would you like to be a guest on this podcast? I would love to hear from you! Let me know you are interested here.
Related: Looking for stories about pilgrims who have already walked the Camino?
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Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
When you imagine yourself on the Camino, who is there?
Are you on your own? Is your spouse or partner there with you? Are you with a big group of your favorite people, perhaps family, perhaps not?
The question of who are you doing this with is, I think, broader than it appears at first glance. That’s because there are so many parts to getting ready for and walking the Camino, and so many points at which you may want or need someone to do it with you.
This episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast has a lot of detailed information to assist you as you determine with whom you will walk the Camino. Click here for the promised lists of questions and other resources discussed in this episode.
Are you somewhere in between wanting to walk the Camino on your own and wanting to start the walk with a few people?
The Camino Experience might be exactly what you are looking for! Learn about starting your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience here.
Related: In case you missed it, Pilgrim Amanda shared her plan for walking the Caminho Português with a friend. She shared with us the questions they are talking about before they leave home, to help make the journey go smoothly.
P.S. This episode is dedicated to my dear friend, Heidi Fowler, who is blessing me by bearing witness to my journey and allowing me to bear witness to hers.
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Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Pilgrim Kathy Gets Ready to Walk the Camino del Norte in 2023
What does it mean to be brave for yourself? As Pilgrim Kathy prepares to walk the Camino del Norte in 2023, she shares about her regrets, fears, and being her own super hero.
We also cover a wide variety of practical pilgrim-centric topics, such as travel insurance, checking a bag on the airplane, how and when to find food on the Camino, and the contributions the hospitaleros, or hospitality hosts, make to the pilgrims.
How Many Pilgrims Complete the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela Each Year?
And as promised, here is the website where you can follow the statistics for pilgrims reaching Santiago and receiving the Compostela certificates.
Laundromats in Santiago de Compostela
And also as promised, here are the addresses for those two gorgeous laundromats in Santiago:
Rúa das Hortas, 10 and Rúa de San Clemente, 1815705 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña
YOUR Camino Experience
What is in the way of you making your Camino dream a reality? Let’s talk about your Camino Experience.
Related: Check out this Facebook group to learn more about the Camino del Norte and to ask questions.
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Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
How to Get to the Most Likely Starting Points on the Camino Francés
Tens of thousands of pilgrims start their pilgrimages in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, each year, and many who have come from within France and other European countries finish in Saint Jean or pass through on their way to Spain.
In addition to being a busy, bustling jumping off point for pilgrims, Saint Jean is also a popular tourist destination. As an American, when I used to think of what France would be like, I imagined narrow cobblestone streets, old buildings with flower boxes in the windows, and men in berets sitting in cafes sipping coffees. Well, turns out, Saint Jean is that picture-perfect image of France.
Add in the medieval bridge reflected in the river, fabulous regional food and wines, and the enviable location at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, and you have a place that is worth visiting for more than just a pass-through on your way to Spain.
Saint Jean is what the guidebooks show as the official starting point for the Camino Francés, and in my opinion, Saint Jean is a fantastic place to start your pilgrimage. But it’s not the only place to start.
In fact, you have many choices for where to start your journey on the Camino Francés. In this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast, I will walk you through the most likely starting points and how to get to each one.
This is another long-ish episode, and there will be a lot of details, so you may want to have pen and paper handy to make some notes. And it wouldn’t hurt to have a map on hand so you can see where we are going and coming from to get there.
Online Resources
In this episode I refer to too many to list in this space, so I have compiled a list of all those websites here.
Come Walk With Me!
Does the whole process of getting ready to walk the Camino feel a bit daunting to you? Is thought of having to start the walk alone not feeling quite right? Join me on the trail in May or September and we will get started together.
Related: Just for fun, I thought I’d share what Lonely Planet finds interesting in Saint Jean Pied de Port.
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Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Pilgrim Amanda Talks About Getting Ready to Walk the Caminho Português
Pilgrim Amanda is about to take her first steps on the Caminho Português as this episode goes live! Walk with us through her preparations and how she went from hiring a company to plan everything to using her super powers to do it herself.
Amanda also shares with us the "ground rules" she and her walking partner came up with the ensure they will have a smooth trip as they share the journey from Porto to Santiago de Compostela.
Not Planning to Walk the Caminho Português?
The most popular Camino route is the Camino Francés, which starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France. You can learn all about how to get started on the Camino Francés on my website, The Camino Experience.
Related: Check out this Facebook group to learn more about the Caminho Português and ask some questions.
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Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
How long does it take to walk the Camino?
Well, that depends. In this episode we are going to continue on with our Camino planning roadmap, still working with step four, spend some time thinking about what you want.
This episode is a big one. A really big one. By that I mean that it’s a bit on the long side. But also, I think it’s an important one, as this is where we really begin to design the Camino experience that suits you perfectly.
If you have been following along with this podcast series, then you should, by now, be fairly certain that you do want to walk the Camino. You should have some idea of when you would like to go, what season you would like to walk in, and when a Camino walk would fit into your life. Ready to book your flights?
Mmmm . . . almost. This episode will get you much closer to that point, I promise. Before we dive in, you may want to have a map handy. I will be talking about all the different Camino routes that lead to Santiago, and it may be helpful to see them on the map to give you a sense of how grand the task before you is. I will also be doing some basic mathematical calculations, so you might want to have a pen and paper nearby, too.
To answer the question “how long does it take”, we first will need to answer the question of what “it” is. What do I mean by that? Find out in this episode of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast.
Some Questions to Ponder
Here are the questions I pose at the end of this episode:
What would constitute a ‘real pilgrimage’ by your standards?
How much time do you want to take for your Camino?
How many miles or kilometers will you need to walk each day to complete the walk in that time frame? Is that doable, or will you need to adjust your timing or expectation?
How much time do you want in your starting and ending points?
How many rest days will you plan for?
When you add it all up, how does it feel?
In case you are ready to pick up a guidebook for your walk, here are the most popular ones.
Related: Ready to start looking for flights to Europe? Click through for favorite tool for that, which is this episode’s top tip.
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YOU on the Camino de Santiago
With guide and long-time pilgrim,
Nancy Reynolds of
The Camino Experience
www.thecaminoexperience.com
@youonthecaminodesantiago
Click here to join Nancy on the Camino!