I just returned home after just walking the Camino de Santiago for the second time. Obviously, after four years, you might have expected that some things might have changed, but some things surprisingly still remain the same.
For one in 2007, 114,377 walked or biked the entire network of Camino trails to Santiago, (nearly 100,000 along the famed Camino Frances route) and received their Compostela. Another estimated 400,000 to 500,000 also traveled smaller sections of the way but did not arrive in Santiago or they did not receive their Compostela.
Last year in 2010, (a Holy Year), 272,135 pilgrims arrived in Santiago. There is no indication of the number of people that just simply walked or biked a section of the path but did not received their Compostela but a rough guess is that nearly one million did some or all of the Camino that year.
Moreover, for 2011, authorities expect approximately 180,000 people will arrive in Santiago and received their Compostela.
What is also very apparent is that as the popularity of the Camino continue to growth exponentially, so does the number of books. At last count, Amazon lists nearly 500 Camino de Santiago related books from personal accounts, to practical guidebooks that describe the stages, provide lists of accommodation, etc.
More recently a new crop of “how to do” books, have appeared. These books focus the preparation and planning issues prior to leaving and provide tips on how the get the most of out your camino experience.
Here are just a few of the "how to do" the camino books:
Seven Tips to Make the Most of the Camino de Santiago
Seven Tips to Make the Most of the Camino de Santiago is unlike any other book about the Camino. It is not a travelogue or a guide, but rather a preparation manual that gives practical advice on the different aspects of undertaking the spiritual journey of a lifetime. The Seven Tips cover everything from what to take to the history of the Camino to calculating the cost. Thought provoking questions are posed to help set realistic expectations in the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and logistical areas. In short, it is the organizational tool you need while planning your trip.
Planning Your Camino: Preparing "The Way"
From the author: After completing 1400 kilometres of walking two different Caminos in Spain and in Portugal, I knew I had to share my love of these journeys through a book. I have never written a book before this one. I have attempted many, but the inspiration was never as intense as now. There are so many books about the Camino that one would wonder why another one is necessary. All the books I could get my hands on regarding this subject were written about the author's personal journey or were written strictly as travel guides. I was inspired to write something different, so I wrote a preparation guide. I want to whet your appetite for your Camino journey. In addition, I want to help you cover all the details, large and small, in your planning so that your Camino will be safe and successful. Everything that is written here, in this guide for planning your trip, comes from lessons I have learned in preparing for and completing my Caminos. I have supplied you with information you need before you go and information that is good to have when you are there. Much of the information in this book is similar to what you will find on various web sites that are dedicated to El Camino. The advantage of using this book to plan is that all the information you need is within these pages. In addition to the general information, I have gone one step further and supplied you with essential tips for packing, travelling, eating, finding your bed and much more that the web sites do not provide. Enjoy your preparations, and... Buen Camino!
Camino de Santiago - Practical Preparation and Background (CaminoGuide.net eBooks)
This guide to preparation for the Camino contains the following:
Planning and Preparation: advice on when to walk, which part to walk, what to bring (clothes, equipment, etc.), what not to bring (very important), travel to your starting point, internet resources and budgeting.
On the Camino: advice and information about what to expect on the Camino. Terrain, waymarkings, accommodation, food and drink, money matters, keeping in touch (telephone, internet, etc.), health – with advice on staying healthy and accessing the Spanish health service, Camino administration, etiquette and safety – staying safe and planning for any eventuality.
The Caminos: information about the other Caminos, a list of book about the Caminos (unfortunately, many of which aren’t available in English) and Camino statistics with the most popular starting points, nationalities, routes and busiest months.
History: the aim of the History section is to give you an understanding of the historical background to the Camino and the role it played in the foundation of modern Spain and Europe. It contains a history of Spain and a history of the Camino from its beginnings to its revival in the late 20th century. There’s also an account of life on the Camino in the middle-ages and the types of people who walked then, their motivations and the hardships and hazards they faced.
Society, Culture & Environment: gives a brief outline of the fascinating mosaic that is modern Spain, its politics, culture and peoples. The natural environment of northern Spain and the impact of the Camino on it. A description of the architectural styles and periods you’ll see along the Camino.
Communicating: advice on making yourself understood and understanding others, with a Menu Guide to help you decipher menus and the most useful Spanish words and phrases for Camino life plus a few phrases in Basque and Galician.
Glossary: a concise reference for many Camino-related persons and things.
YOUR CAMINO - a Lightfoot Guide to Practical Preparation for a Pilgrimage
A must have for anyone planning their first, or second or third Camino and an invaluable resource for organisations that offer advice and help to pilgrims planning their Caminos. After years of answering frequently asked questions on Camino forums, the Internet, Camino workshops and on her Camino blog (amaWalker.blogspot.com) Sylvia Nilsen, provides the answers to your questions . Besides providing information and maps on the many different Camino routes in France and Spain (with links to Jacobean routes in other countries) she offers advice on the best time to go and how to get there, planning daily stages, budgets and accommodation, pilgrim and trail etiquette. She enlisted the help of Greg Dedman (Camino pilgrim and backpacking expert) to help with chapters on technology, weather, food and language. Many other experienced pilgrims shared their expertise on subjects as diverse as disabled pilgrims, cycling, trekking with children, horses, donkeys and dogs. There are chapters on clothing and equipment covering boots, shoes, backpacks and sleeping bags, as well as medical matters, relics, Santiago Holy Years and pilgrim statistics. Illustrated with delightful pilgrim characters, this 322-page reference guide covers everything from learning about the Camino on the Internet, in books and DVDs, Confraternities and Forums, to taking a donkey on the trail, and how to 'go' in the woods!
I plan to post an entry or two describing my experience of doing the camino a second time four years later. Look for my posts in the coming days – I will be including some photos too from this latest adventure.
