Camino de Santiago Q & A || Solo Female Travel

[@isobelcunningham281]

Hi Lindsey - I want to tell you how much your videos of your Camino walk have supported me. Your calm demeanor, your helpful tips and - - frankly, your resemblance to my beloved daughter have boosted my morale after the awful experience of having to cancel due to Covid 19 in 2020. I am 73 years old and I am back on track to walk the Camino Frances in September. I have already booked my first night in Orisson (that was quite a post when you checked in!). I just watched your post as you walked into Cathedral Square and although I have been called a tough old bird, tears were gently rolling down my cheeks as I felt your emotion at having finally completed your wonderful journey. Thank you a thousand times.I just completed a four day hike around Mount Megantic here in Quebec and feel I will be OK with an average 20 km per day. However, I took your cautious approach to heart and I know this will not be a race. So, from Granny here in Montreal - merci mille fois.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Your message means so much to me!! 🧡 Many blessings to you along the way. Buen Camino! 🐚

[@janehills7929]

Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your Camino Frances journey Lindsey. I have loved watching and learning from your experience as I plan to walk the whole ‘way’ next year with my husband. Coincidentally I was walking four days ahead of you in 2019 where I started in SJPDP and finished in Los Arcos a week or so later. The heat was incredible but I loved it so much I wanted to come back (planned for 2020) and now 3 years later we decided let’s go the whole way like you did. Keep walking your own way and following your own rhythms and instinct - you are awesome 🤩. Once again thanks for the insight and inspiration 🙏

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks for your kind message! I hope you have a fabulous and transformative time.

[@mags9599]

Hi Lindsey I watched your journey from beginning to end and i was so very inspired. I cried so much when you started crying as you entered Santiago you looked overwhelmed. you were very brave and persevered to the finish. Thank you for your experience, you have got me looking at seashells and hiking shoes .... x

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thank you! Been Camino!

[@andreaq7892]

Yay!! My question got answered! Thank you! And yep you're right, i didn't get to go on my 1st camino on 3rd April which was terribly sad and disappointing. It is what it is and I guess it wasn't my time to go. I now have secured another job full time for the next 2 years so no opportunity to take a couple of months off to hike.. .maybe June 2022 now! Love your presenting style, no nonsense, honest and no waffle! Thank you x

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks, Andrea!

[@yucasola]

Good to see you Again. My daughter and I are hopeful for a next spring camino. Be safe and keep walking.

[@daveratcliffe9993]

Great to hear from you again, Lindsey. I’m still planning my trip but not until 2023 as I’m in India working until then. Buen Camino.

[@lorispeers7690]

Nice follow up on your Camino! I only walked Sarria to Santiago in 2018 but I have the same feelings as you have expressed, and that’s why I keep watching Camino vlogs. I can’t get enough and I thank you for your effort. Also, I love the injinji socks as well, no blisters and I still wear them when I hike. Thanks again!🚶‍♀️👍🏻😊

[@myreadinglife8816]

I have watched all your Camino videos and loved them so much. I loved sharing the adventure with you.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks, Heidi! 💜

[@maryurquidez5850]

Lindsey, I have really enjoyed following your journey on the Camino from beginning to end. You have inspired me to some day soon, be able to start my own Camino journey. Tank you and looking forwards to your next adventure. Be blessed.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks, Mary!

[@brendahutton2540]

Enjoyed your video and advice. I am going on my first Camino in October alone at 72 years old. I have wanted to go for about 25 years. Nervous but excited too

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Buen Camino!

[@lizh7736]

I loved your Camino vlog, i wanted to go next year, we will have to wait and see! Love from Australia.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks! I hope you get the chance to go. 😊

[@annejones2751]

Lindsey thank you for all your great videos. My husband and I watched you prior to our Camino in September 2019 and I’ve been reviewing again since I e decided to return in May but it looks like I will be returning alone as my husband has decided not to go. I have to admit the solo thing is a bit scary. I definitely appreciate your courage. Anne

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

You can do it, Anne!! It'll be good for your confidence and for your soul. 💜

[@annejones2751]

@@lindseyhikesandtravels thank you. Surprisingly even an offer of ‘all expenses paid’ has not got friends/family etc to be encouraged to go lol

[@FrScottHikes]

Another great benefit to hiking poles, they keep your hands from swelling when walking long distances.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Yes true!

[@sharonmorris5146]

Hi Lindsey...I loved your Camino Vlogs and hopefully I will walk it next year! I am testing out kit at the moment and your shoes look like they held up very well ; were they Altra Olympus 4? Keep safe and hopefully you will get to Ireland in the near future! Thank you for inspiring !

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks Sharon! Yes, Altra Olympus. I don't know about the number though. Been Camino! ☺

[@ThomasJordan-ITW]

Awesome video! Just stumbled on your channel - it looks like some great content. I make camping/hiking videos myself! Thanks for sharing!

[@IllGetThere]

Love the follow up! I’m currently uploading my own vlogs on my channel from last fall-I think I’m up to Day 28, if you want to follow along. It took me 38 days, as well, and I’m longing to go back one day soon. Hope you can get back to traveling again. Be safe until then! Buen Camino! 👣

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

I miss the Camino so much!

[@lorispeers7690]

IllGetThere Keep them coming, I love following your vlogs as well! I love your spiritual/faithful comments as you encounter a beautiful sunrise, a church or other sights along the camino!🙏🏻👍🏻😊

[@IllGetThere]

Lori Speers Thank you so much! ❤️🙏👣

[@susananquist8357]

I am looking forward to the rest of I’ll get there!

[@julietunderill4239]

Did you use baggage courier every day? I am planning on walking the Camino in May 22. I’ve really enjoyed your Camino vlogs.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks so much! I used a courier most days, but not all.

[@susananquist8357]

Lindsay, I have loved your videos. I walked part of the Camino in 2018 and I had planned on going back 2020. I am a Portland woman who lives in British Columbia. My question is after Cruz de Ferro, the descent is brutal. I think you got off the path and walked on the road. Can you tell me where you found info about doing this?

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks so much! To be honest, I just looked at my Buen Camino app map and also just with my own eyes while I was on the path (the road is easy to see) to descend into Molinaseca. It was longer and the pavement was brutal so I'm not sure it was a better option...but at the time the path was just too unstable for me and I didn't want to risk a big injury.

[@susananquist8357]

Lindsay, how did you measure your mileage? Did you have a sport watch or was it an app? Something else?

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

My phone has a pedometer but I noted the actual Camino route mileage on my videos, which I got from the Buen Camino app. I now own a Garmin watch that could also tell me! I always walked more than that mileage with stops and errands etc but I only included the actual route mileage. I hope that all makes sense!

[@susananquist8357]

@@lindseyhikesandtravels thanks. Makes sense.

[@dltallan]

I took a bunch of apps on my recent caminos (including the Buen Camino app). They are worth every one of the few pennies you spend on them. I also the Village to Village guide, but the Kindle edition on my phone, so it didn't take up any space or add any weight.

[@francesmcdonnell486]

Lovely to see you again! Your videos kept me going last autumn as my little doggie was coming to the end of her life. She passed in October. I was planning my first Camino for this year but pandemic put that on hold. Looking at next August. You look really well. Stay safe.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Thanks, Frances. My older dog Jackson passed away in April. 💔 I hope you're hanging in there and get to walk the Camino soon!

[@francesmcdonnell486]

Lindsey Hikes and Travels So sorry to hear about Jackson. I remember him from your pre-Camino training vlogs. There is another really cool Camino which I hope to do at some point called The Sultans Trail which ends in Istanbul.

[@francesmcdonnell486]

Lindsey Hikes and Travels www.sultanstrail.net/en/. Buen Camino

[@CJonesApple]

As for length and time. It would seem that 25km is the average per day for most people. I did that and met the same people every day for the most part. First Camino I walked with someone who walked my pace, walked the same distances and liked the same afternoon routine. I didn't realise how special that was until my second where things were less structured and the trail was so much busier in September/October than October/November.

[@chantellebutcher9342]

I loved watching your Camino. I am working on my packing list for my Camino once it’s safe to travel. Could you share the brand of the sarong that you used?

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

I have no idea! I think I just ordered one on Amazon but I don't remember. Just a generic sarong...nothing special about it!

[@chantellebutcher9342]

@@lindseyhikesandtravels Thanks. Really appreciated this video too.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

🙏🙏

[@susananquist8357]

Lindsay, I am wondering if you can tell me where you got onto the road to avoid the steep loose gravel down hill after Cruz de Ferro? Also, to use the app do you need data? Did you get a Spanish SIM card?

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Hi Susan, I got on and off the road as I saw fit. There wasn't a particular place. The road runs pretty parallel with the trail. No data needed if you download the maps beforehand. I did not buy a SIM card. I just used WiFi when it was available and my downloaded maps and the automatic satellite on my phone.

[@BDETravels]

That is what I am going to do. By the way I started in the 26 at SJPDP.

[@neolithic3]

How is your financial journey going? I miss those videos. Glad to see you are well.

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Great! I don't have much student loan debt left. 😊

[@junocoke6172]

Could you possibly put a list of your favourite hostels/albergues just because I cannot get the accurate spellings and cant find some of them ! thanks

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Which ones can't you find?

[@chakaka801]

Is compeed a lubricant against blister. ? How do we use it?

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Yes it us. You just roll it onto your feet! It's a stick.

[@ritag4735]

hello.. can you tell me were did you bought the umbrella or the brand name...thanks

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

I ordered it on Amazon, I think. It's under multiple brands. Look up ultralight hiking umbrella.

[@rhunl]

So - to go full asshole from the start....I love your Weimeraner, what is her name and how has she been while you were away? Otherwise, love your work!

[@rhunl]

Sorry Lindsey - following on from your comments, I also support your suggestion to keep going from O Cebreiro, the municipal there is grim. Times 3 at least!

[@lindseyhikesandtravels]

Hahaha My Weimaraner (a boy) is named Mandela and he goes to a great boarding place with tons of land in the country that he loves. But I haven't traveled in months without him because of COVID.