Camino Frances - part 1

Ah, the excitement of the first day...

I was trying hard to pack everything and not leave anything behind. I said goodbye to my hosts and after a quick map check, I set off through the city. The sky was quite cloudy, but this was not the promised doomsday storm.

On the outskirts of the city I met several pilgrims who were looking for the first arrows. Here I met a German lady, with whom I eventually set off on the path. For the first 8 kilometres we were still very happy that it was only dripping rain, we enthusiastically took photos, because everything has to be captured, and we followed the signs.

Unfortunately, the storm forecast seemed to be coming true on the next leg. I quickly started looking for my rain pants, which of course I couldn't find anywhere. Even though I checked what I had packed at least a hundred times before the trip, they were nowhere to be found.

Tip: before you leave, make a list of the things you're bringing. You can practice unpacking and packing, always in the same order, so you don't leave anything out.

The pilgrim office warned us to stay on the highway because there had been an accident the previous week where a pilgrim had slipped on the forest path and was slightly injured. I think it is important to take these warnings seriously, the locals are more familiar with these situations and road conditions.

As we walked higher and higher into the clouds, the rain and wind got heavier. In situations like this, it's always good to have someone with you, so there's less chance of getting hurt or getting lost.

Tip: The other thing I recommend to everyone is a loud whistle attached to the bag (there is also one on the backpack strap, but it is usually not very useful). So if we get into trouble, we can use it to signal where we are even in areas that are not clearly visible, leading emergency staff looking for us to the trail, or asking for help from other pilgrims.

On this section you don't have to go all the way to Roncesvalles, you can also look for accommodation halfway, especially since there is a fairly significant, almost 1000 meter elevation gain on the first day.

Soaked to the skin and with muddy shoes, we stopped at the first bar for a hot tea, for the first stamp, and to dry off a bit. I am a fan of goretex shoes on these roads, I like it when my shoes don't get wet in the dewy grass in the morning, but there are times when this doesn't matter.

Tip: When it comes to shoes, I always recommend buying something that you feel comfortable in, has proper flex, doesn't slip, and is one size bigger. If you walk a lot with extra weight on your back, your feet will swell, and on slopes, it's not good if your toes touch the front of the shoe because it can damage the nail, which can lead to serious infections.

My favorite place to sleep during the first week was in Roncesvalles, which is a huge 183-bed dormitory in an old but beautifully renovated building. If you don't like sleeping among a lot of people, this won't be your place, with 72 beds per floor, but I think it perfectly fits the pilgrim feeling. The volunteers welcomed me very kindly, gave me a hot tea and helped me get out of my wet coat.

The other one in Puenta la Reina is Albergue Estrella Guía, which looks more like a small hippie community and has a rather relaxed atmosphere.

Albergue de Peregrinos Roncesvalles Albergue Estrella Guía

Shoes must be taken off after entering, so it's practical to pack your slippers (or sandals) on top of your backpack or attached to its side. Wet shoes dry faster if you stuff them with newspaper (usually available at albergues) and replace them with a fresh batch in the evening.

Tip: In the rain, the other most important thing is to protect your belongings in your bag from getting wet. There are rain covers, ponchos that the bag can fit under, and waterproof containers inside the backpack. I usually carry a regular garbage bag with me for this purpose, it's cheap, doesn't weigh much, and you can put everything in it and put it in the backpack. Believe me, you don't want to realize in the evening that your sleeping bag is soaked with water.

Everyone says that once you get over the first mountain, the rest of the road is easy. Don't believe that, there will be plenty of more mountains. But that's good news, because the view from the top is always breathtaking.

On the first week, one of the largest cities will be Pamplona, ​​it is worth planning shorter distances for such places to have time for sightseeing. Since there are many accommodations on this route, we can easily extend the previous day's distance or shorten it on the next section. Leaving Pamplona, ​​we reach a point called Alto del Perdón, or the Hill of Forgiveness, where a statue of the pilgrims awaits with a wonderful view and huge windmills. It is worth taking a short lunch break here and enjoying the charm of the place.

Alto del Perdón

On the sixth stage, don't miss the wine fountain in the village of Irache in the morning. Yes, there is one, and yes, it's worth tasting. There's a wall fountain on the side of the local winery, with water flowing from one side and the local red wine from the other. Here, you can use your shell to drink in true pilgrim fashion.

Irache

By the end of the first week, I arrived in Logrono, which became one of my favorite cities, especially because I celebrated my birthday here with my new pilgrim friends. A delicious dinner together always creates a good atmosphere.

Tip: If you are in a big city, it is good to have a phone or a map with you, so that you can always find your way back to your accommodation and find your route more easily. Camino signs can be hidden among the many signs and advertisements. My personal favorites are the Gronze and Camino Ninja apps. It also doesn't hurt to have a power bank handy, it happened to me before that my phone died in the evening and I only found my way back to the hostel with help.

Hope these stories get you in the mood for your next adventure, and you found some useful information.  If you still need more details or build up confidence and courage for the start of your journey, don't hesitate to contact me or email me, I'm happy to help.

You can also find me on social media with more useful advice and travel pictures at @wander.with.dora name. Safe travels everyone.