Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
Yes, no end of people to meet along the way.Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
When you say "the journey", presumably you mean the Camino Francés? if so, you will meet hundreds, if not thousands. Most people I've met on the CF, Primitivo and VdlP say that it is far preferable to walk alone. That way you have the freedom to walk and talk with whom you choose - or not; and there is always jolly company in the evenings in the albergues. Many who walked in groups, or in twos with friends or partners, spoke of the tensions that all too easily arise - speed, interests, jealousies etc. I have always walked alone, and have always felt very blessed indeed by those I've met.Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
An excellent point. If a pilgrim does not immediately respond to your approach, do not take it personally. At dinner they may be the most accommodative of companions. Several Forum members in the past have taken rejection extremely seriously allowing it to ruin their camino because the camaraderie did not live up to their expectations. If you read through the posts here, you will find many who actively seek solitude, so they may not be ready for a protracted conversation during the day. That often changes after a shower and some rest! At the peak in August, the applicants for a compostela number 2,500 a day, quite a group from which to find compatible companions and conversation. It is a smorgasbord of personalities from which to browse!Some people make it clear they don't want company so all you need to do is be sensitive to that.
An excellent point. If a pilgrim does not immediately respond to your approach, do not take it personally. At dinner they may be the most accommodative of companions. Several Forum members in the past have taken rejection extremely seriously allowing it to ruin their camino because the camaraderie did not live up to their expectations. If you read through the posts here, you will find many who actively seek solitude, so they may not be ready for a protracted conversation during the day. That often changes after a shower and some rest! At the peak in August, the applicants for a compostela number 2,500 a day, quite a group from which to find compatible companions and conversation. It is a smorgasbord of personalities from which to browse!
Buen camino!
An excellent point. If a pilgrim does not immediately respond to your approach, do not take it personally. At dinner they may be the most accommodative of companions. Several Forum members in the past have taken rejection extremely seriously allowing it to ruin their camino because the camaraderie did not live up to their expectations. If you read through the posts here, you will find many who actively seek solitude, so they may not be ready for a protracted conversation during the day. That often changes after a shower and some rest! At the peak in August, the applicants for a compostela number 2,500 a day, quite a group from which to find compatible companions and conversation. It is a smorgasbord of personalities from which to browse!
Buen camino!
Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
Of course there are hundreds and I would say you will meet more than you want at times. I would go so far as say there were many people I talked to and was friendly with and enjoyed them being at the various stops during the day and evening - and I still can't remember their name. There just seemed so much to talk about with them regarding the Camino, the country and the experience that conversations just seemed to flow effortlessly. Quite frankly I don't recall anyone calling me by name either - it was just an open discussion that never seem to end until you finished the journey. I hope that makes sense.
Me
AKA Mark
I think that I would be happy to have folk around me while walking, not necessarily walking with them although that would be good at times. My feeling is that I would want to be quiet at times so happier in smaller albergues or even a private room. What are other quiet folks feelings on this? Reading seems to imply that many are looking to form Camino families to walk with in large groups, not my thing, which is maybe why I would opt to walk alone - although I don't know when.
Elizabeth - the Happy Hermit
We started in St.Jean PP and came across a lot of solo walkers. It's really up to the person as to how much socialising they want, and in our case, how slowly they wanted to walk. You will meet plenty of people!Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
I found the Camino to be the perfect social setting. Myriad numbers of the awesome-est people you could ever hope to pass time with, ready and willing to be a lifelong friend, and everyone, i mean EVERYONE seems to understand when it's time for you to be alone. It was one of the most seamless, easiest social situations I've ever been in. No one seemed overly eager to cajole you to go out at night, or join a group and be bonded for ever, walking alone was immediately understood and respected. In most situations, you didn't hardly need to ask to join a table of pilgrims at a meal, i felt always welcome to crash the party; or you could sit off to one side, stare quietly into your ruby red wine and contemplate the universe to your hearts content.
Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
I too will be walking alone in april!I will also be walking alone in April. And, from posts here, so are a few others.
It seems we will be walking alone, together.
Tee
Thank you so much. I am sure I will love it. I have period of pure bravado intermixed with panic. Lets hope the bravado and excitement overides the panic!!!!!!!!!I walked alone from Pamplona to Burgos in March/April 2013 and I was alone but never lonely. It was so invigorating and interesting that I'm booked from the end of April this year and will attempt to walk from SJPdP to Santiago. You'll love it.
Buen Camino.
Hi leaving SJPP on the 19th of May 2014 bound for Santiago. I believe there is a constant flow of pilgrimsHi everyone. Leaving SJPP 17th April bound for Santiago. Looks like most of you will be long gone
Hi everyone. Leaving SJPP 17th April bound for Santiago. Looks like most of you will be long gone
Last year I started walking from Wales in the UK and only met 10 other walkers by the time I reached Bordeaux. But it was very very different once I reached SJPDP, in fact by the time I arrived in Santiago I had walked, talked had food & drinks with more than 36 different nationalities. Keep a note of the nationalities you meet, you may start alone but you will never be alone or finish alone in Santiago.Hi leaving SJPP on the 19th of May 2014 bound for Santiago. I believe there is a constant flow of pilgrims
Thank you so much for sharing . Stories like yours gives me inspiration and motivation. Your experience is exactly what I am hoping to find on my caminoLast year I started walking from Wales in the UK and only met 10 other walkers by the time I reached Bordeaux. But it was very very different once I reached SJPDP, in fact by the time I arrived in Santiago I had walked, talked had food & drinks with more than 36 different nationalities. Keep a note of the nationalities you meet, you may start alone but you will never be alone or finish alone in Santiago.
This year I will walk the VDLP. Ultreia & Buen Camino.
Hello,I plan on leaving SJPP around May 22. My husband is rather anxious that I will be walking by myself. Any words of encourage I can give him regarding my safety?
Hi,If I am on the VDLP from mid-June through July, how many other pilgrims am I likely to come across? Unfortunately this may be the only time available to me in 2015 to do the Camino and I wonder how many other masochistic souls there are especially in the early stages out of Seville.
On the Camino you are never alone. I started alone in April last year and met people that will be life long friends from day one.Walking Alone...I am planning the journey alone in April... I am an experienced hiker walker Rambler so not bothered about the journey, but are there plenty to meet for conversation along the way?
Hi Jobie,I plan on leaving SJPP around May 22. My husband is rather anxious that I will be walking by myself. Any words of encourage I can give him regarding my safety?
I'll be 3 days behind you.I walked alone from Pamplona to Burgos in March/April 2013 and I was alone but never lonely. It was so invigorating and interesting that I'm booked from the end of April this year and will attempt to walk from SJPdP to Santiago. You'll love it.
Buen Camino.