Pilgrim priest's advice

[Walter1407]

Before I walked to Santiago the first time (from my home town Zurich), I talked to the priest of the local Santiago church who had been on the Camino many times himself.
This is the advice he gave me:
1. Don't expect anything from the Camino. Let the Camino decide what it wants to give you and teach you.
2. Every day, walk a little less than you think you can. Make sure you don't walk into exhaustion. Rest for a full day every now and then.
3. For healthy people, the main challenge is not physical but mental, especially if the start is very far from Santiago. Older people usually manage this better.
As I am preparing for my next long pilgrimage, I remember his words of advice. This time I'll heed them.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Before I walked to Santiago the first time (from my home town Zurich), I talked to the priest of the local Santiago church who had been on the Camino many times himself.
This is the advice he gave me:
1. Don't expect anything from the Camino. Let the Camino decide what it wants to give you and teach you.
2. Every day, walk a little less than you think you can. Make sure you don't walk into exhaustion. Rest for a full day every now and then.
3. For healthy people, the main challenge is not physical but mental, especially if the start is very far from Santiago. Older people usually manage this better.
As I am preparing for my next long pilgrimage, I remember his words of advice. This time I'll heed them.

Walter, wise Priest it seems to me. He shared and blessed you with very good advice. Buen Camino y Buena Suerte

 

[Anniesantiago]

I like it!
Great advice!

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Three good points of advice that seem to get lost in all the hype. Thanks for sharing his words to you with us.

 

[wawpdx]

Wise advice. I agree, next time ....

 

[susanawee]

Sorry, I mean to reply to the message separately rather than as part of Walter's post.
Very good advice indeed Walter...I must remember this when next I walk the Camino....susanawee...

 

[Deacon Harbey Santiago]

Not from a priest but from a deacon ...

Don't pack tour fears. When you want to plan for every possible eventuality, you over-pack and end up leaving stuff for the next pilgrim. Try not to plan much and be flexible with the plans you have. Your Camino will take care of itself.

"Viva Cristo Rey!!"
DHS

 

[Javier Mx]

Before I walked to Santiago the first time (from my home town Zurich), I talked to the priest of the local Santiago church who had been on the Camino many times himself.
This is the advice he gave me:
1. Don't expect anything from the Camino. Let the Camino decide what it wants to give you and teach you.
2. Every day, walk a little less than you think you can. Make sure you don't walk into exhaustion. Rest for a full day every now and then.
3. For healthy people, the main challenge is not physical but mental, especially if the start is very far from Santiago. Older people usually manage this better.
As I am preparing for my next long pilgrimage, I remember his words of advice. This time I'll heed them.

Thank you for sharing! I will keep that in mind when I walk El Camino

 

[Al the optimist]

Before I walked my first walk I had a blessing from a priest in the Sanctuary of King Edwards tomb in Westminster Abbey. It was a very special moment for me and made all the more enjoyable that his name was James and he had walked some of the Camino. His advice? Don't walk with a film crew! He had just done so with a BBC crew!

 

[Walter1407]

Before I walked my first walk I had a blessing from a priest in the Sanctuary of King Edwards tomb in Westminster Abbey. It was a very special moment for me and made all the more enjoyable that his name was James and he had walked some of the Camino. His advice? Don't walk with a film crew! He had just done so with a BBC crew!

That's sure sound advice, Al. If you work on the Camino, you are probably going to miss out on just about everything that can make a pilgrimage so worthwhile.
I am a journalist, and I consciously decided against writing articles, publishing a blog and everything else that could turn into an obligation. I don't even take notes on the way.

 

[MichaelSG]

When you want to plan for every possible eventuality, you over-pack and end up leaving stuff for the next pilgrim. Try not to plan much ...

... and tell that next pilgrim to buy his own damn gear.