30000

I have three questions:

Are you any better at Maximum Overthruster? Is Lee awesome? What is the "fucked up thing you do" from Dude (I totally miss you)?

Also, the PoD is the the most quoted movie in my house, and the roommates have I have probably watched it 50+ times. Keep up the good work!

Not OP but I did the camino in 2005. First of all, it's awesome and I would totally do it again.

You don't need much training. It's rarely rigorous terrain, and you can go at your own pace, so don't feel like you need to train for a marathon or anything. But at least be able to walk a good distance with a pack on your back.

I got some blisters. Best thing to do is break in your shoes, but you'll prob get them anyway. Mole skin works. Socks for sure. Otherwise, just deal with it. It'll only be for the first couple days, by the end your feet will be badass.

I went in May of 2005, so it was kinda popular but not as much as it is now. If you are starting at the beginning (St Jean pied du port), it will be relatively quiet. As you approach the end, expect the auberges (hostels for pilgrims) to fill up quickly. People tend to do the camino in stints as they don't all have the time for the whole thing, or lots of people just do the last week of it or so.

I wish I would have brought a better pillow and blanket. Walking stick is very nice to have too. I just bought a cheap one somewhere. Bring a multitool and a good knife too, you never know. Keep it light. If you are wondering if you'll need it, you don't need it.

I had nice hiking shoes and a pair of Teva sandals. 2 days in I tied the shoes to my backpack and they fell off and I never noticed until we had already walked for hours, so I ended up only wearing the sandals the whole time, but I loved it. If i did it again I would only bring tevas. My buddy did it in birkenstocks, so take that as you will.

Most of all, enjoy the scenery, the people, and the food! There is plenty of time for thinking and you will definitely be in your own for head for a long time. Good way to learn about yourself. I'm an american, so I had a blast talking and learning about all the other people on the camino. The wine is so good and so cheap, and the pilgrim meals are the best! I miss that garlic soup!

That's pretty quick! It took me 34 days. Did you start in St. Jean Pied du Port?