Berkeley, CA: Northern California Chapter, Camino 101: The Basics

Is your head spinning because you’d love to walk the Camino de Santiago but don’t know where to start (both literally and metaphorically)? We’ll screw your head on straight in just one hour. We’ll cover the What and the How, not to mention the Who, Why, Where, Which, and When, and by the time we’re done, you’ll be rearing at the gates, all primed to get started.

Presenter: Andy Cohn, seasoned Camino trekker and Northern California Chapter Co-Coordinator

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is the Camino?
• What’s its history?
• Who walks it?
• Why do they walk it?
• What makes it special?
• Overview of different Caminos
• Guidebooks / Apps / Websites
• Navigation (Even I can’t get lost)
• Eating (It ain’t about the food)
• Sleeping (Hostals vs. hostels)
• Gear: Going light
• The pilgrim passport and your merit badge (aka the Compostela)
• Shipping or transporting your extra junk
• Getting there and getting around
• Electronics and how to stay connected
• Reserving on the fly (or winging it)
• Money and costs

Schedule and Location: We’ll start at 6:00 PM sharp in the meeting room at the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch of the Berkeley Public Library at 1901 Russell Street. Berkeley. Please show up by 5:30 PM if you have any preliminary questions. We have to clear out by 7:30 PM, so please be prompt.

There will be time for Q&A after the presentation. This presentation will be recorded and shared on our YouTube channel at a later date. Subscribe to be notified when its been posted. The Q&A will not be recorded.

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register Now button below to sign up. Every participant must sign up online. No drop-ins permitted. Because space is limited, we ask that you register if/when you are certain you can attend.

Cancellation: Please email us at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can offer your space to someone else.

GETTING THERE

On Public Transportation: It’s less than a 5-minute walk from the Ashby BART station in Berkeley. From the station entrance, walk west (straight) across the parking lot, then turn right onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (that’s the main drag right there). Then continue on MLK through the busy intersection with Ashby and straight ahead one more block to Russell Street.

By Car: Use this Google Map link (also linked in the Schedule and Location section)

Carpooling: On the registration form is a link to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if you need a ride or can give one.

The Ruff Stuff: For insurance purposes, we are unable to welcome dogs, except service animals, at our events.