- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018
I am now in Astorga, having started in SJPP on May 5th. Most people in my Albergue started more than a week, or even two weeks after I did. There is tremendous pressure to keep walking long distances every day no matter what. Some are having a great time. But many others are limping, have serious injuries, or have young adult offspring who won't speak to them because of being pressured to cover required planned mileage daily. They are following guidebook stages, maybe feeling competitive, but mostly racing to get to Santiago before their flight out. Once I stopped to talk to a local who told me the history of a building, so I took a picture of it. Two peregrinos passing by saw me, so quickly clicked pictures of their own with no background or even taking the time to LOOK at it before taking a picture. It's crazy.
My advice is to allow plenty of time off for your walk. If you can keep your daily mileage around 20-22 kilometers a day, you will reach your destination before the beds run out and with the time and energy to drop your stuff and explore. If you are hurting, you can take a day or two off. If you can't allot enough vacation time, then don't be afraid to take the bus occasionally or to stop before Santiago.
If your plan is to suffer, go for it, but it isn't my plan. I am seeing folks of all ages and fitness levels with injuries at worst and unable to take an extra day in an interesting town at best.
That's my dos Euros, thanks for listening.
My advice is to allow plenty of time off for your walk. If you can keep your daily mileage around 20-22 kilometers a day, you will reach your destination before the beds run out and with the time and energy to drop your stuff and explore. If you are hurting, you can take a day or two off. If you can't allot enough vacation time, then don't be afraid to take the bus occasionally or to stop before Santiago.
If your plan is to suffer, go for it, but it isn't my plan. I am seeing folks of all ages and fitness levels with injuries at worst and unable to take an extra day in an interesting town at best.
That's my dos Euros, thanks for listening.