Was this cheating?

[Trishb]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

 

[jgiesbrecht]

The only thing that I would consider cheating is if someone lies about how they got somewhere. For example, especially in the last 100kms if someone says they walked the whole thing but took a taxi several times. To each their own camino, and I don't care if you go horseback up the mountains, transport your bag every day, or even skip the meseta (on the frances)....the only thing I wouldn't like is if someone said they did something they didnt.

 

[Bradypus]

Many people do that and I can understand why. I think of myself as a fairly experienced walker and I am used to quite long daily stages. But I was pretty worn out by the time I reached Almaden after a day of 35C. Very glad of a cold beer and I couldn't help thinking of "Ice Cold in Alex"

 

[Ella L.]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

There is no such thing as cheating (unless one brags about how far and fast one has walked...and even then you have really only cheated yourself). Pilgrims hopping rides on farmers' carts is as old as pilgrimage itself. And the clincher for me, especially as I too, am a septuagenarian about to set off on the de Lana in a few weeks is that I will need the use of my knees, hips, feet etc for as many years that are left to me so why thrash them. What would have been a skip and a hop five years ago is not necessarily so today, as I have discovered. You made a wise move, especially early on such a long Way. Buen Camino sez I.

 

[Ella L.]

The only thing that I would consider cheating is if someone lies about how they got somewhere. For example, especially in the last 100kms if someone says they walked the whole thing but took a taxi several times. To each their own camino, and I don't care if you go horseback up the mountains, transport your bag every day, or even skip the meseta (on the frances)....the only thing I wouldn't like is if someone said they did something they didnt.

Yup

 

[Stivandrer]

cheating - some may dread they´ll do it, some people actually do it, some people accuse sb of doing it...
maybe you´ll claim you never did it...

but ask yourself

who are you cheating, that is the main thing.....!!

 

[Josefus]

Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

Well, I´ve done it but I don´t call you a wimp.
For me it´s nearly an (possibly pathological) obsession to walk every meter on my own feet. But in this case it wasn´t pleasant: Pouring rain and low temperatures. The stepstones in the creek in Berrocal were flooded so I had to wade the ford.

As jgiesbrecht correctly said:

The only thing that I would consider cheating is if someone lies about how they got somewhere.

Every one has it´s own limits and obsessions. So don´t care and keep on going.

¡Ultreia!

 

[amancio]

Regardless of what anybody might think about this, I must confess I personally LOVE this 13.5 km stretch on tarmac, I have walked it 4 times, and will be looking forward to walking it again. It is not physically very demanding, and leaving Castilblanco at night and see every nuance and every color in the sunrise, listen to so many different birds, often the first cuckoos in the season... to me it is a beautiful part of the Camino. This said, the road is usually quiet, and I am not 73 year old and I do not fear the final slope at the end of the day so much, I just take it easy.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable walk for me!

 

[VNwalking]

Lying is cheating.
Not only did you not lie, you made a public 'confession.'
That's courage, not cheating.
Buen camino, Trish!

 

[Albertagirl]

I walked that section; at the time I was a couple of years younger than you are now. As I remember it, about two thirds of that day's pilgrims shared a taxi for that section, to the entrance to the park. And I paid to have my pack carried in that taxi. If you are a pilgrim wanting a Compostela, you could cheat if you claim that you walked the last 100km when you did not. The good/bad news is that you're currently a very long distance from the last 100kms, so this does not apply. Buen camino, however you decide to walk it.

 

[Trishb]

Regardless of what anybody might think about this, I must confess I personally LOVE this 13.5 km stretch on tarmac, I have walked it 4 times, and will be looking forward to walking it again. It is not physically very demanding, and leaving Castilblanco at night and see every nuance and every color in the sunrise, listen to so many different birds, often the first cuckoos in the season... to me it is a beautiful part of the Camino. This said, the road is usually quiet, and I am not 73 year old and I do not fear the final slope at the end of the day so much, I just take it easy.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable walk for me!

How I admire you!

 

[SYates]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

I did the same and I was 48 years old ;-)
BC SY

 

[André Walker]

Maybe it's because I'm just not a very intelligent man, but for me it's very simple:

I never think of other people cheating. How someone wants to do their Camino (or other things in life) is entirely up to them. It's not for me to judge.

If you decide to take a taxi (for whatever reason) it's not cheating, it's just your decision. It means that, at that moment, that is your Camino. For someone else walking that stage is their Camino.

Either way, each of you is doing their Camino. I'm sorry, but I just can't see any cheating in it.

 

[peterhore]

Trishb - I'm 75 and serring out on the vdlp in two weeks - what's the taxi number, please? Peter

 

[SYates]

Trishb - I'm 75 and serring out on the vdlp in two weeks - what's the taxi number, please? Peter

It hangs in every bar in town, and the bar staff is always very happy to call one for you!
BC SY

 

[peterhore]

It hangs in every bar in town, and the bar staff is always very happy to call one for you!
BC SY

Thanks - I was signalling my support to trishb. Last year on the portugues/variante I met an American woman who was doing the whole thing by taxi/boat, but she was an amusing raconteur & in the evenings able to tell me about and share her pictures of the churches and sites which I'd not had time to visit - I was grateful for her pilgrimage. To each his or her own.

 

[lt56ny]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

I intend to walk the VDLP next year when I will be 67. My days of 30K days are behind me although I did walk one 30k last winter but that was in perfect conditions and at the end of my Camino. When I checked out Gronze I immediately thought I would take a taxi to the gates of the park and walk from there. There are some really long stretches on the VDLP and if I cant break them into two days I will be taking a taxi or a bus to make a day more manageable. There is no way I am going to risk my life to say I didn't "cheat". You did the right thing for sure.

 

[John Sikora]

Not cheating IMHO, but I did the same thing. That's just a bit too long of a day (particularly with Calvary (appropriately named) hill at the end of the day. I would have been too tired to admire one of the best views on the VDLP.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

Dear "wimp" - Congratulations ! You are an inspiration !

 

[laineylainey]

It hangs in every bar in town, and the bar staff is always very happy to call one for you!
BC SY

yes and I have heard that they prefer single passenger journeys nowadays??

 

[Krista Rogman]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

I really believe that there is no right way or wrong way to do the camino. Any way you do it will give you a different experience. My suggestion is to do what is right for you.
There are things you must do in order to get a certificate. If you don't care about a certificate then do it your way. I am 69 y/o and planning on doing my 4th camino. This time I am walking the Camino Ingles. I am planning on walking the entire 100 km. If weather conditions or my arthritis have other plans for me I will not beat myself up mentally if I end up taking a taxi or bus for part of the route.

Buen camino! Enjoy the experience. It is a special time being on the camino.

 

[Jane Silverman]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

Good for you! The path is there and does not judge how we use it. I followed the Camino at 82, and 84 and used the local buses several times. If your goal on the Camino is in any way broader than simply counting off miles on “the” path, a time or two on a local bus offers a glimpse of everyday life of the people who live along that path. Asking pardon from those to whom this seem like heresy.

 

[Trishb]

Trishb - I'm 75 and serring out on the vdlp in two weeks - what's the taxi number, please? Peter

Sorry I don’t know, the proprietor of the hotel called her. She does it all the time and I am guessing there are quite a few more. BTW the park itself is glorious Buen Camino

 

[Julio Rivera]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

I agree with other post writers: pilgrims from times past took all sorts of rides to lessen their pain. What was important for them was to get to Santiago safely and touch the relics of the saint.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I do not wish to judge a person for their decision to skip a section, have luggage sent ahead, use an electric bicycle, or take other measures that enable them to participate in the Camino. I hope that I will be doing the same when I find that I need a little more assistance to continue enjoying the Camino. (As it is, I’m already doing the Camino assisted - by the people who established the albergues, painted the arrows, wrote the guides and so on).

 

[Steveand Jannie]

You walk the last 100km. Everything else is fine.

 

[Former member 35551]

Because you asked . . .

Yes, it is cheating. I skipped a road section by catching a bus on the Via Aurelia. I consider that year's camino as incomplete.

 

[RJM]

One cannot cheat on something that is not a test or competitive event.
Not to mention that nobody cares if another pilgrim shaves off a few km's by taking a taxi.
The only rule I have for myself when I walk the Camino is to never walk back, only go forward even if it means I spend the night in the woods. Fortunately I haven't yet had to test that rule, lol.

 

[Bradypus]

The only rule I have for myself when I walk the Camino is to never walk back, only go forward even if it means I spend the night in the woods. Fortunately I haven't yet had to test that rule, lol.

My own rule for myself is that I walk all the way from my starting point to my destination. If I skipped a section by taxi I would definitely feel like a cheat. But that would be because I had gone against my own intentions and not because I had broken someone else's "rules".

 

[Donna Sch]

Regardless of what anybody might think about this, I must confess I personally LOVE this 13.5 km stretch on tarmac, I have walked it 4 times, and will be looking forward to walking it again. It is not physically very demanding, and leaving Castilblanco at night and see every nuance and every color in the sunrise, listen to so many different birds, often the first cuckoos in the season... to me it is a beautiful part of the Camino. This said, the road is usually quiet, and I am not 73 year old and I do not fear the final slope at the end of the day so much, I just take it easy.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable walk for me!

I agree, it is one of the nicest road stretches especially first thing in summer.

 

[lt56ny]

i did the same thing with 2 other pilgrims a few days ago. walking 16km on the road with minimal shoulder and thick morning fog did not sound fun to me. we carried on to el real de la jara that day after a great shop for churros from the stand in almaden.

btw, it was 25euro for the 16km/15minute trip, and can take up to 4 people.

Looking for pilgrims now to split the cost with me when I go!!!!

 

[lt56ny]

Because you asked . . .

Yes, it is cheating. I skipped a road section by catching a bus on the Via Aurelia. I consider that year's camino as incomplete.

That is your issue and why you look at it as cheating is also for you to decide. I do not know your age or your physical condition. I had walked 4 caminos without cheating. This last camino I had to cheat to take a bus because the weather conditions were so bad and dangerous that the albergue owner was standing at the front door to tell us all before we thought of leaving. The police had announced that if anyone attempts to walk and gets into trouble going up the hill to Cruz de Ferro they would not attempt a rescue because of the conditions. Was that cheating. I could have stayed and waited but then I would have arrived in Santiago much later and lost a few days with my daughter who lives in England. By this time I know how to walk and I know that a 30k day plus a very steep hill at the end may put me in jeopardy. It is all things we all have to consider. If I was 55 instead of 67 when I will walk I would probably feel differently. Please do not worry or think that you cheated. At that moment it was the right thing to do. I have a wonderful friend who is a deeply religious Buddhist. When I was trying to reflect on past mistakes and trying to improve on myself and my relationships after my divorce she would call me every day. She would say what did you do for yourself today. On one particular day I did absolutely nothing, didn't even think about it and was kind of a jerk to people. I told her very frustrated that I did nothing today. I started to say more and she cut me off and said, you did nothing, that's perfect. Do not beat yourself up over nothing because nothing is all you could do today and that is perfect. Maybe tomorrow will be different and maybe not. Don't beat yourself up or even worry about cheating and the bus, the bus was all you could do that day. Buen Camino

 

[LesBrass]

I really dislike the whole idea of cheating. I think it's really very sad that folks have to even think this or feel this.

I've started taking small groups on 'taster' sessions on the camino frances. I've taken one group last year and I'm planning a couple more this year. Honestly I've been so disappointed by the response from other pilgrims. One of my group sent me a message asking me if she would be seen as less of a pilgrim because she is choosing to forward her pack and stay in private rooms... she has previously walked all of the Camino Frances with a pack but that was a few years ago and she's not so young these days. I felt so sad that she should even think this. She is genuinely walking for religious reasons and she feels like she's failed before she's even started.

I don't think you cheated. If other folks wish to judge you then my thinking is that they need to go walk a little more because their judgement says much more about them than it does you. ❤

I hope you enjoy the rest of your walk, I really loved the VdlP.

(ps of course I understand the rules of the last 100km... but you're a long long way from there)

 

[jpflavin1]

I do not understand conversation on this forum where people try to identify cheating.

There is no cheating. Each individual walks, rides, taxis or buses the Camino in their own way.

I agree with you that the last hill was challenging.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[ranthr]

I walked all the way after a night of heavy rain and for me the worst was neither the road ( met only a few cars) nor the last hill, but the balancing with heavy backpack on steppingstones over the froading arroyos in the park. If somebody had offered me a lift I would gladly have accepted, without thinking of cheating. My worst experience ever on any camino.

 

[Roger Hogstrom]

I got an idea out of this conversation. I can make a pilgrimage with no walking just taxi. Expensive but I do not have to think about socks,shoes,blisters,aching knees, sweating and many more things. Wow
Ps Does anyone know the cost for taxi from Sevilla to Santiago Ds

 

[jpflavin1]

I got an idea out of this conversation. I can make a pilgrimage with no walking just taxi. Expensive but I do not have to think about socks,shoes,blisters,aching knees, sweating and many more things. Wow
Ps Does anyone know the cost for taxi from Sevilla to Santiago Ds

Cheaper by bus, faster by train

 

[Bradypus]

I got an idea out of this conversation. I can make a pilgrimage with no walking just taxi. Expensive but I do not have to think about socks,shoes,blisters,aching knees, sweating and many more things. Wow
Ps Does anyone know the cost for taxi from Sevilla to Santiago Ds

If that is your choice then why not? By the nature of this forum we tend to get fixated on the notion that "pilgrimage" can only mean travel on foot (or by bike or by horse). That idea is something that is fairly recent and mostly specific to Santiago. In most other pilgrim destinations around the world people arrive by bus, train, plane, boat and perhaps even taxi and still regard themselves as pilgrims.

 

[kelleymac]

I think the difficulty lies in using the same word, Camino, to mean different things. Yes, everyone walks their own camino, but it can get frustrating when an integral part of one person's definition is absent from another's.

So one person's experience who walks the whole way and carries their own stuff, may have very little in common with a person who takes a taxi now and then, stays in hotels, and has their stuff transported for them. I just wish there were different, respectful and honored terms.

 

[Bradypus]

I think the difficulty lies in using the same word, Camino, to mean different things. Yes, everyone walks their own camino, but it can get frustrating when an integral part of one person's definition is absent from another's.

I just had a look at the figures. As of a few seconds ago there were 87,577 members of the forum and 1,200+ of those were actually logged in. Given those sort of numbers how likely is it that anything I say or do will please all of the people all of the time? I think the best we can hope for is that people think before they speak or act and then do so in good conscience. And if they choose to speak out here on the forum that they do so in a polite and reasoned way. Unanimity might be lovely but I will settle for ordinary respect.

 

[Steveand Jannie]

Because you asked . . .

Yes, it is cheating. I skipped a road section by catching a bus on the Via Aurelia. I consider that year's camino as incomplete.

T

Because you asked . . .

Yes, it is cheating. I skipped a road section by catching a bus on the Via Aurelia. I consider that year's camino as incomplete.

Of course it is not cheating. Changing your plans as you go along is just part of hiking. There is nothing to say you have to walk every inch of the Camino. What about the 15% of pilgrims who complete the camino by bicycle. I suppose they are all cheating as well?
Who designated you the "Cheat Police"?

 

[alexwalker]

Greetings from the VdlP. Of course it’s entirely up to each individual but I strongly recommend taking a taxi to skip the first 16.5 Kms from Castilblanco. Ok I am a 73 yrs old woman but I am certain if I had walked that road I would not have made it as far as this bar in Almaden! The road is quite busy and today is glorious weather so feels hot. I loved the walk through the park Berrocal but the ascent at the end was tough. Those of you have done this (plus road) can call me a wimp but that’s fine.

I did the same on a (very) rainy day. Very glad I did.

 

[Alan Pearce]

On the caminos I have travelled, I have not taken any transport to shorten the journey, and I have been able to carry my back pack with me. Some people who have not done a camino in the same fashion automatically assume that I will be critical of what they have done. I am not. I do wish these people would stop being so defensive, and allow all of us to walk the camino in friendship and harmony, free from judgement.

Be brave. Life is joyous.

Alan

 

[Paddy Brock]

Hi , im considering starting Via de al Plata early April and enquiring if any other pilgrims are planning to go at that time , Have completed 2 Frances , 2 Portugese and Salamanca to Santiago . while i enjoy my own company a little frienship and help along the way when needed is a great consolation , Paddy from Dublin Ireland

 

[Dromengro]

On the caminos I have travelled, I have not taken any transport to shorten the journey.

In '84 I was accused of cheating before I'd even started by the woman who ran the pilgrim office, in SJPDP because I hadn't arrived there on foot from my home, and she denied me a credential. So by her rules almost everyone today are cheats.

 

[Bradypus]

In '84 I was accused of cheating before I'd even started by the woman who ran the pilgrim office, in SJPDP because I hadn't arrived there on foot from my home, and she denied me a credential. So by her rules almost everyone today are cheats.

That wasn't one of the reasons she gave for refusing me one. But her list was quite long enough anyway

 

[longwayhome]

To me cheating means deliberately flaunting a rule set by yourself or someone else. Are there rules? Who set them? Or are these rather, just personal expectations of yourself that might need a little adjustment . Cheating is very different from choosing to go a little easier here and there on account of physiological constraints

 

[Lindsay53]

Speaking of rules, can I 'reuse' a credential if there is still space in it? I am starting the CP next month and it looks like I will have some spare time on completion, so I'm thinking of heading up to Ferrol to walk the Camino Ingles as well so rather than start a new credential I'm wondering if I can use the old one.

 

[Silencio Por Favor]

In 2020 Camino Olympics pilgrim X was disqualified for using painkillers, pilgrim Y for excessive luggage forwarding, etc. Sorry not taking this seriously??

 

[C clearly]

Hi , im considering starting Via de al Plata early April and enquiring if any other pilgrims are planning to go at that time , Have completed 2 Frances , 2 Portugese and Salamanca to Santiago . while i enjoy my own company a little frienship and help along the way when needed is a great consolation , Paddy from Dublin Ireland

Hi Paddy.
This thread is titled "was this cheating", which doesn't really apply. You might want to post about your plans on this thread, and look at it to see when other forum members expect to be walking.

 

[Bradypus]

Speaking of rules, can I 'reuse' a credential if there is still space in it? I am starting the CP next month and it looks like I will have some spare time on completion, so I'm thinking of heading up to Ferrol to walk the Camino Ingles as well so rather than start a new credential I'm wondering if I can use the old one.

If the credencial has been stamped by the pilgrim office at the end of your CP walk it is officially "closed" and cannot be used for a further Camino. If you do not visit the pilgrim office until after you have walked both Caminos that should not be an issue.

 

[OzAnnie]

Speaking of rules, can I 'reuse' a credential if there is still space in it? I am starting the CP next month and it looks like I will have some spare time on completion, so I'm thinking of heading up to Ferrol to walk the Camino Ingles as well so rather than start a new credential I'm wondering if I can use the old one.

Hi Lindsay
When you finish the CP in Santiago.. will you go to the pilgrim office to claim your Compostela for your camino Portuguese?
If yes.,
I would suggest you buy a fresh credencial there ; (when you are being served at the pilgrim office )..
You can buy more than one if you like.
The few euros they will cost each is worth it to have a fresh credencial and much less confusing for the office staff, when you end up back at the pilgrim office claiming your next Compostela for the Inglés.

Buen camino
Annie

 

[Lindsay53]

Thanks Bradypus and OzAnnie. The Ingles after the Portugues is only a vague idea at the moment but one I'm liking more and more.