Q & A

People have been asking lots and lots and lots of questions about this next adventure, the pilgrimage. i figured it's a good time to do a little Q & A using actual questions that have been asked in the past few weeks.

1. Where are you going and what are you doing this time?
I will be going to France and Spain and hiking the El Camino de Santiago...aka Le Chemin de Saint Jaques...aka The Way of St. James

2. The el cah...huh? 
The El Camino de Santiago. It has existed for over 1000 years and during medieval times was a well traveled route of Christian pilgrims whose destination was Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Christian worshippers would literally walk out the door of their homes and follow or forge a path to Santiago. At that time, Santiago was considered a holy city, along with Rome and Jerusalem, as it was thought that the remains of St. James were buried there.

3. You are going on a pilgrim path? is there a path?
I am going to be walking along the most traveled of the paths, the Camino Frances. From what i gather, in parts it is a dirt path, other areas it is a paved road, there are sections that are stone...it changes and it is one of the things i will be documenting along the way!

4. How long is it- distance and time?
In general, it is said that the route is 800km = 497miles. However, there are detours one could take out of necessity or curiosity which would add to the distance. It is said one can walk it in 1 month.

5. You are going to WALK the whole thing? You are going to walk 500 miles?! how many miles will you walk a day?
Yep, that's the goal anyway. as i have flexibility in time and there are villages/cities i will surely want to explore i will probably walk somewhere between 15-20 miles a day and take a few days off from walking here and there.

6. What do you take? Do you have to carry everything you need?
I will be taking the bare minimum although i am already finding that challenging as the weather along the route will change significantly. Still, i will be staying in "refugios" or "alburgues" which are essentially pilgrim hostels so i do not need to bring camping equipment.

7. So you will be a pilgrim? what the heck does that mean?!
Yep, i will be a pilgrim since i officially have the credencial, which is a special pilgrim passport that allows me to stay in the hostels for one night each, and allows me to purchase pilgrim meals (discounted meals) at local establishments that offer them.

8. Hold on, um...you have to officially become a pilgrim? 
Well, you don't have to. However, getting the credencial is necessary in order to stay in the pilgrim hostels, purchase the pilgrim meals, and ultimately receive the compostela (basically a certificate of completion) in Santiago.

9. So...can i start introducing you as my friend, the pilgrim?
as opposed to my friend, the nomad??

10. I know someone to did the El Camino and they talked a lot about the blisters. Did anyone tell you about the blisters?
Indeed i have heard quite a bit about blisters and all types of foot related ailments and injuries. i will be working on a "blister prevention and treatment" pack this week.

i will add more in the next few days.
nos vemos.