Ive lived 48 years outside my native USA in countries where English was not the first language and have traveled extensively as well. Although I do speak reasonably fluent Dutch and Spanish, having lived many years in countries where these were the first languages, and picked up the basics in some others as well, I doubt that many pilgrims would be able to learn enough Spanish before doing the camino to permit having any true conversation with non-English speakers, unless they were to enroll in an intensive language program. But spending a reasonable amount of time trying to master the basics; greetings, numbers, spelling words with Spanish Pronunciation of individual letters of alphabet, simple directions and distances, hours of the day, days of the week, simple adjectives for hot and cold, wet and dry, long and short, near and far, late and early, etc., ordering normal foods and drinks, telling your name and where you are from, etc., asking others their name and where they are from, will make a tremendous difference in what you get out of spending a month as a non-tourist in Spain. It really isnt necessary - you can always find someone to translate for you, or point to a phrase book - but I guarantee youll feel more like you are a part of the pilgrim experience, and not just a visitor, if you do. As for training by extensive hiking, etc., I believe that most people who are reasonably healthy and get some regular exercise, even if only walking 5 miles on the weekend, will be able to do the camino. Will you be tired? Of course, particularly in the first week. But that is part of what makes it a pilgrimage and not an athletic event. I did the camino, when I was 68, without extensive training and then worked five years as hospitalero in Los Arcos, Absolutely exhausted, but wouldnt trade the experiences for anything. Buen camino!
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 20:10:00 +0000
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