Ep 1: Your First Steps on the Camino de Santiago

YOU on the Camino de Santiago, that’s why we are here. You, taking your first steps on the trail, full of excitement and anticipation, and perhaps feeling a little anxious about what lies ahead. Imagine, you are in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, or Porto, Portugal, or Oviedo, Spain, or wherever you will be starting your Camino walk. Backpack loaded, trail before you, and you, unsure of what is to come, yet somehow so determined to do this. researched, you’ve prepared, you’ve planned, you’ve packed, and you have tackled another of many hurdles: you have gotten yourself to your starting point. Can you see it? Can you imagine yourself there? Imagine yourself full of emotions, maybe a little jet lagged, possibly hungry and wondering where to find breakfast. You probably know your destination for the day, but you’re not entirely sure how to get there. You look around you and – thankfully – you are not alone: there are other pilgrims! They, like you, are eager to connect, make friends, and perhaps most important, not walk out of town alone. How did you get there, to Saint Jean, or Porto, or Oviedo, or wherever you will be starting your Camino journey? How did you decide when to go, and which route to walk, and where to start on your chosen route? How did you end up there on your own, or with the group you will be walking with? How did you work out your budget or how far to walk that first day, and every day after? How do you know where to sleep and where to find food? See, that first step you are going to take on the trail, leaving Saint Jean Pied de Port, or wherever, is by far and away, not the first step of your Camino journey. I am here to talk with you about those first steps and all the steps you need to take to get you to your starting point and on your Way. The goal of this podcast takes you from idea . . . to saying YES! . . . to your first steps on the Camino trail. Whether you will walk in Spain, France, or Portugal, this podcast gives you a planning roadmap and practical tips, plus heartwarming and helpful stories from others who, like you, are getting ready for their first-ever pilgrimage on the Camino. HI, I’M NANCY REYNOLDS, GUIDE AND LONG-TIME PILGRIM ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO IN SPAIN. Are we meeting for the first time? Yay! Welcome to the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast! I’m glad you’re here. It will be my pleasure to walk with you as you plan and prepare to walk your chosen Camino route. In case you’re wondering who I am and why I have so much to say about the Camino, you can learn more 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 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. I hope you enjoy the podcast! ~ Nancy     #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast