In September 2021, I joined a chat group comprised of Chinese women who shared a passion for travel. The group organizer, an experienced traveler, frequently shared her travel journals along with captivating photos. It was through her shared stories that I first learned about the Camino de Santiago, and the idea of walking it myself began to take shape.
In March of this year, one of the girls (Lilian) in the group sent a message seeking a travel partner who could communicate in English, specifically for walking the Camino together. I responded to her message, and she proved to be quite persuasive. Before long, I had committed to walking with her at the end of May, and we promptly made our travel arrangements. This all unfolded in March.
Prior to this trip, I embarked on another 25-day journey to Europe, returning at the end of April with a sense of anticipation and readiness to prepare for the Camino. I had precisely 30 days to get myself fully prepared.
Firstly, I turned to YouTube, immersing myself in a multitude of videos to learn from others' experiences and preparations for the Camino.
Secondly, I visited REI, a sporting goods store, to purchase the necessary gear. I'm immensely grateful for the knowledgeable staff who guided me in selecting the appropriate equipment.
Lastly, I focused on training walks. I adorned my backpack, laced up my walking shoes, and began traversing the nearby trails.
To be completely honest, when I embarked on this journey, I had no idea how much distance I would be able to cover, or if I could even complete the entire route, which typically takes 35 to 40 days. For safety's sake, I committed to a 30-day timeframe. I reasoned that if I enjoyed the experience, I could always return to finish it, just like many others have done. Conversely, if I discovered that I couldn't complete it or didn't enjoy it along the way, 30 days wouldn't be too long of a commitment to handle.
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