One thing I've noticed is that a lot of these "three stages" ruminations are very specifically tied to the
Camino Frances from SJPdP and the length and geography of that route. I wonder if people walking different routes, through different types of geography, experience stages differently.
For example, we typically hear of the first stage lasting for the first ten days to two weeks, through varied landscapes, and involving physical toughening and acculturation to the Camino. Then we hear of the long monotony of the next ten days or so through the meseta posing mental challenges. Finally, we leave the broad, flat meseta for the lush, green Galicia and achieve our spiritual awakening.
But what if we are walking from Le Puy? Do we achieve physical conditioning and acculturation within the same ten days? After that, without the flat sameness of the meseta, do we face the same mental challenges? Are the mental challenges delayed or lessened or stretched or replaced by something else? What is our second stage like there? Do we still get to our spiritual stage after three weeks or so and just coast for the next seven?
Or, for someone walking the Ingles, do they never get past the physical and face any mental challenges or spiritual growth? I have my doubts about that.
It would be interesting to compare the interior profiles of the different routes.