Packing for my return on the Camino de Santiago

Have you ever experienced complete freedom?

Connecting with Nature, witnessing sunrises and sunsets, experiencing the strength of your body, being welcomed and taken care of, diving into stimulating conversations with people from all over the world, and tasting the most delicious food?

I have encountered an extreme concentration of the goodness of life on the El Camino de Santiago and that’s where I am headed for the second time.

Walk to Jerusalem to meet God, walk to Rome to meet the Pope, and walk to Santiago to meet Yourself. 

Quality time with myself was what I was after.

Burgos to Astorga – 270km (168miles) in 11 days

Here I go again – packing for the Camino Frances or the French way, an ancient pilgrimage route starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port close to the French-Spanish border and leading to Santiago de Compostela where the remains of apostle St.James are resting. At least that’s what the church says…

My journey started last year with the first third of the way from Pamplona to Burgos. This year I was going to continue from where I had stopped and walk for 11days.

Burgos – Hontanas – Itero de la Vega – Población de Campos – Calzadilla de la Cueza – Sahagún – Calzadilla de los Hermanillos – Puente Villarente – La Virgen del Camino – Villar de Mazarife – Villavante – Astorga

I assumed that September was the start of the low season. On the contrary – the pilgrims flow declines in July and August during the hot Spanish days, only to rise again in September as the weather cools down.

Updated Camino packing list

Similar to last year, I limited myself to around 8kg (17,6lb). For the original list – check out here:  My Camino de Santiago Light Packing List. 

As the autumn was approaching,  I needed to bring a few extra items: 

New items

• Lightweight sleeping bag – only 745 g (26 oz). The sleeping bag did an excellent job – I used it every single night. I also used it as a picnic blanket – what’s better than lying on the ground, enjoying the sunset after a long day of walking?
• Second light rain jacket – I took it just in case but I didn’t need it at all
• Reusable rain poncho – a very good idea especially in autumn, and if you’re walking in Galicia. Luckily for me, I used it only once. 
• Small Sony camera with a battery charger – I wanted to capture my experience in better quality, that’s why I took a small camera with me. 
• Protein shake – as a vegetarian, I need extra protein. I had a shake for breakfast – a quick and easy solution.
  

Items left behind

• Low hiking shoes – I had these with me last time, but I almost didn’t use them, so this time I decided to only go with my lightweight Adidas Tubular Runner sneakers
• Torch – I hardly used this the first time, so I left it behind. My iPhone Flashlight was good enough.

Now the adventure can begin! More from the Camino journey – coming soon!

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All photos by Kate App

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