Camino Frances...Missing you.

[CaminoDebrita]

I am lying in bed after a very rough day with high school students reviewing my photos of C. Frances. I am realizing I'm just not done walking it. I love this route so much. The beginning, the middle, the end, the cities, the desolate areas, the green arched doors, the wooden doors with little hands....the people, the exhausted walkers, the first time walkers, the wine, the festivals....the dirt, the sun, the rain.

God, please get me back to Spain soon. It was my first fascination and is such a passion and moving force for me, part of what keeps me walking and breathing. I am so glad to have this odd fixation on olive oil and tuna and wine and people with dark eyes. What is it about Camino Frances?

I give in. I am just crazy for Spain.

 

[DonaldGimmy]

Concur. I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same way. I love Spain! I am arriving in Madrid on September 28th, and I plan on starting my second Camino on October 1st from SJPDP. 4 months to go! I can hardly wait!!!

 

[SYates]

... God, please get me back to Spain soon....

Be careful what you ask for, you could end up where I am now
Buen Camino de la Vida, SY

 

[domigee]

I am lying in bed after a very rough day with high school students reviewing my photos of C. Frances. I am realizing I'm just not done walking it. I love this route so much. The beginning, the middle, the end, the cities, the desolate areas, the green arched doors, the wooden doors with little hands....the people, the exhausted walkers, the first time walkers, the wine, the festivals....the dirt, the sun, the rain.

God, please get me back to Spain soon. It was my first fascination and is such a passion and moving force for me, part of what keeps me walking and breathing. I am so glad to have this odd fixation on olive oil and tuna and wine and people with dark eyes. What is it about Camino Frances?

I give in. I am just crazy for Spain.

I understand you, @CaminoDebrita !
I met yesterday with another pilgrim to finalise our itinerary for the VF. Every 5 minutes, there was a 'ooooh shall we just forget it and do the camino francés? Again?' (He's walked it 6 times! Me, 3) 'Ooooooh I shall miss Spain, sigh'
Hopeless cases!

 

[SabsP]

@CaminoDebrita : I do understand you ! The Frances, even if sometimes too crowded and commercialised , still has this great attraction to me. And Spain in general of course : no wonder that for our " regular holidays " we always end up in Spain , where I always jump up and down from excitement ( OH looks at me quizzically then ) when I find a yellow flecha somewhere.

Already thinking of another Camino for 2018 spring even if I still have to go for the MRI for my knee so I will try to be sensible and wait for those results before making a decision....as if...

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Be careful what you ask for, you could end up where I am now
Buen Camino de la Vida, SY

Too late! Already been looking at websites for long term lets in the city but without success so far.

 

[LTfit]

You are definitely not alone @CaminoDebrita! When I arrived in Finisterre on July 25, 2010 (day of Saint James and Holy year) I could have kept walking. As I had a job to return to I instead started planning my next Camino. Seven years and 14 Caminos later, I am still drawn to Spain and the Camino. Next week I start my 15th. My two grown-up kids no longer ask me where I am going next but rather when and which Camino!

 

[LTfit]

Too late! Already been looking at websites for long term lets in the city but without success so far.

Try www.idealista.com
www.fotocasa.es
www.milanuncios.com
www.pisos.com

My experience is that rentals for less than one year are difficult to negotiate, unless in a depressed area. Sometimes shorter periods are possible but then the monthly costs go up.

Go for it and good luck!

 

[Al the optimist]

I know exactly how you feel Debbie. Living in England makes it easier (and cheaper) for me than you. That has enabled me to walk some 5,000 Camino kilometres in the last 5 years. Not enough though!!! Fortunately I still have my Mother with me. However, as she is nearly 93 I therefore have to live in England. My heart is so much in Spain though. I managed to get a short walk on the El Salvador this Easter and a little weekend visiting friends in Madrid for my birthday two weeks ago. Not enough! But it looks like all I will get this year. Every time I leave the keyboard alone for a couple of minutes the slide show of last year's Mozarabe/Via de Plata/El Salvador/Camino Norte reminds me of what I am missing. It is great to hear someone starting out living the dream like Sonia. Thanks to Ivar for this forum. It provides some vicarious pleasure, good companionship and feeds the dreams.
PS SYates I hope you are settling in OK.

 

[katie@camino]

I know this feeling exactly - i have only done it once but i think the time between finishing it and now can be halved - the first half i reminisced endlessly and the second half i have spent planning the next one.

It feels like the Camino seeped into my blood, my mind, my heart, my soul - and i dont want it any other way!

 

[Irish Bernie]

Be careful what you ask for, you could end up where I am now
Buen Camino de la Vida, SY

I would love to live next door

 

[CatherineAnn]

I am lying in bed after a very rough day with high school students reviewing my photos of C. Frances. I am realizing I'm just not done walking it. I love this route so much. The beginning, the middle, the end, the cities, the desolate areas, the green arched doors, the wooden doors with little hands....the people, the exhausted walkers, the first time walkers, the wine, the festivals....the dirt, the sun, the rain.

God, please get me back to Spain soon. It was my first fascination and is such a passion and moving force for me, part of what keeps me walking and breathing. I am so glad to have this odd fixation on olive oil and tuna and wine and people with dark eyes. What is it about Camino Frances?

I give in. I am just crazy for Spain.

This is exactly how I feel too! I had a moment yesterday where I could have written these words.

I have walked Frances twice at this time of year and the pull is strong the last few days. My backpack is wondering why it's empty!

 

[Irish Bernie]

This is exactly how I feel too! I had a moment yesterday where I could have written these words.

I have walked Frances twice at this time of year and the pull is strong the last few days. My backpack is wondering why it's empty!

It may be empty of kit but it is bursting with memories

 

[Terrri]

I had wanted to walk the camino for many years before I finally walked with my daughter from SJPP to Burgos. My husband had no desire to go and couldn't understand why we went or how we could enjoy such an experience.
Last fall I walked with my husband up to Burgos with plans for all three of us to return and walk the remainder together. Ever since we have arrived home all my husband talks about is going back and finishing the camino. While we were still in Spain he wanted to continue walking. He talks about going back and walking without our daughter because we are waiting for her calendar to clear up and he is getting impatient even though we only returned in October 2016. Waiting until the fall of 2018 is seeming to be too much for him.

 

[alexwalker]

I had wanted to walk the camino for many years before I finally walked with my daughter from SJPP to Burgos. My husband had no desire to go and couldn't understand why we went or how we could enjoy such an experience.
Last fall I walked with my husband up to Burgos with plans for all three of us to return and walk the remainder together. Ever since we have arrived home all my husband talks about is going back and finishing the camino. While we were still in Spain he wanted to continue walking. He talks about going back and walking without our daughter because we are waiting for her calendar to clear up and he is getting impatient even though we only returned in October 2016. Waiting until the fall of 2018 is seeming to be too much for him.

Another one has become a caminoholic victim...

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Try www.idealista.com
www.fotocasa.es
www.milanuncios.com
www.pisos.com

My experience is that rentals for less than one year are difficult to negotiate, unless in a depressed area. Sometimes shorter periods are possible but then the monthly costs go up.

Go for it and good luck!

Thank you for these links @LTfit they are very useful.

 

[Al the optimist]

Facebook reminded me I was in a bar in Leon drinking Sidra for the second time today in 2014.

 

[MileHighPair]

This spring on the Via de la Plata, I had a 75 year old pilgrim tell me this "Camino thing" is like a fever. Once in a while you think you have it beat, but then it comes back worse than before. He was on his 8th Camino. You are not alone.

 

[LTfit]

Thank you for these links @LTfit they are very useful.

As I was curious I just looked at the idealista website. I plugged in 'alquilar viviendas Santiago de Compostela' and it came up with 500 options, 26 in the Casco Histórico.

 

[Luka]

When I put on my pack, it feels like coming home

But my love isn't exceptionally for the Francés. On the contrary. I did a lot of walking before the CF, for example the Le Puy route and the Via de la Plata. Maybe it is different when the Francés is your first love, but I prefer Caminos with less crowds and less facilities.

I remember when walking the VdlP some pilgrims were complaining that you sometimes couldn't get any food 'the whole stage'. While I thought: 'What a luxury. There is food in the village where I start and there is food in the village where I'll finish today!'

But a Camino addict? For sure!

 

[NicP]

@CaminoDebrita - I totally get where you are coming from. There are definitely a lot of days when I think to myself, "what the heck are you doing here, when you could be over there?". I'm lucky that I have a job and a family that I love, however neither of them particularly lend themselves to a month or more of walking on the other side of the world... and my wife thinks the whole idea of the camino is madness! I shall continue to live vicariously through the camino forum in the meantime... I'll get back there once day, in the next few years...

As @Al the optimist said - thanks to Ivar for running this forum, and to all the warm hearted people who participate in it, for making this such a lovely community to be a part of!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

When I put on my pack, it feels like coming home

But my love isn't exceptionally for the Francés. On the contrary. I did a lot of walking before the CF, for example the Le Puy route and the Via de la Plata. Maybe it is different when the Francés is your first love, but I prefer Caminos with less crowds and less facilities.

I remember when walking the VdlP some pilgrims were complaining that you sometimes couldn't get any food 'the whole stage'. While I thought: 'What a luxury. There is food in the village where I start and there is food in the village where I'll finish today!'

But a Camino addict? For sure!

Luka: I have only walked very late and very early in the seasons, so it is very quiet out there. In fact, some days I saw no one at all. I am interested in less crowds. I do find it fun to walk into a village, I must admit.

 

[nycwalking]

CaminoDebrita, I commiserate. Last year, I had to postpone return due to my illness.

Optimistic Al, I am one with thee. I just moved in with me mam. She is ill a wee bit. Location, location, location ... UK is an easier locale for Spain forays than LA, Ca, USA.

Calling all forum members: please ask Santiago to intercede so, I can care for my mom and dad and go for a wee dander to Santiago this summer.

 

[Stivandrer]

you´re probably in bed due to the fact you caught the Camino Bug, and its symptoms are treatable.
-take aspirin if needs be, and then resort to small gulps of fiery red wine in tall glasses with tapas and or cheese of your own choosing.
Expect reccurrence of flashes ever so often and dive into planning material here in this portal and elsewhere to lessen the outbreaks...
you´ll be fine....but alas it will stay on forever ..

until the next one - Buen Camino ..

 

[DurhamParish]

Pffffttt!!! Spain . . . . the Camino . . . . who needs 'em!!! I've got loose plans for only two caminos next year.

 

[Annie Little]

. I'm lucky that I have a job and a family that I love, however neither of them particularly lend themselves to a month or more of walking on the other side of the world..

I feel the same .... dare not tell family they come a close second to my love for walking the Camino .... my working days are full of Camino - computer passwords all have Camino in them

you´re probably in bed due to the fact you caught the Camino Bug, and its symptoms are treatable.

Sooo Camino bed bugs are not so bad after all ?

Ultreia

 

[Koidream]

Sooo Camino bed bugs are not so bad after all ?

They keep you walking

 

[Shakespearshakes]

I am lying in bed after a very rough day with high school students reviewing my photos of C. Frances. I am realizing I'm just not done walking it. I love this route so much. The beginning, the middle, the end, the cities, the desolate areas, the green arched doors, the wooden doors with little hands....the people, the exhausted walkers, the first time walkers, the wine, the festivals....the dirt, the sun, the rain.

God, please get me back to Spain soon. It was my first fascination and is such a passion and moving force for me, part of what keeps me walking and breathing. I am so glad to have this odd fixation on olive oil and tuna and wine and people with dark eyes. What is it about Camino Frances?

I give in. I am just crazy for Spain.

Same thing here. I leave next Wednesday for my 3rd CF. in 3 years. Feeling very happy.

 

[KSM]

Be careful what you ask for, you could end up where I am now
Buen Camino de la Vida, SY

Where is that?

 

[KSM]

You are definitely not alone @CaminoDebrita! When I arrived in Finisterre on July 25, 2010 (day of Saint James and Holy year) I could have kept walking. As I had a job to return to I instead started planning my next Camino. Seven years and 14 Caminos later, I am still drawn to Spain and the Camino. Next week I start my 15th. My two grown-up kids no longer ask me where I am going next but rather when and which Camino!

Wow! 15th! Very impressed! I'm curious, I'm sure they all are different but you still get the Camino feeling every time?

 

[SYates]

Where is that?

http://egeria.house in Santiago de Compostela ;-) Buen Camino, SY

 

[KSM]

Love

I would love to live next door

this response!!!

 

[LTfit]

Wow! 15th! Very impressed! I'm curious, I'm sure they all are different but you still get the Camino feeling every time?

I actually only counted a few days ago, was curious myself.

As you say, every Camino is different but the thrill of starting out remains unchanged as well as the sadness when one is completed.

Many kilometers have been covered on my own but my fondest memories have been of pilgrims - strangers who have later become friends - who have shared the path with me. There is a special bond that is created when one walks for days, at times weeks with someone. Those encounters make each Camino different, even if you walk the same path over and over again.

The "Camino feeling" I carry within.

 

[SYates]

I would love to live next door

Whenever you are ready, I will help you to find a place ;-) BC SY

 

[kdespot]

A pack of teenagers at the end of the school year can really intensify the longing for the peace of the Camino. I just retired after 32 years in the high school classroom and my heart goes out to you. There were times when the divide between their lives and mine was bigger than any canyon. But to be honest, I can't truly connect with anyone about the magic of walking the Camino unless they've done it, too. Multiply that by infinity when it comes to teenagers. But rest assured that there are a few sitting there quietly watching your photos and listening to your passion. Your words aren't completely lost. Ten years from now you'll get an email from one of them telling you that s/he just walked it... inspired by your random lesson. You'll shed a tear of gratitude. If only you could have that joy now, but the rewards of teaching don't work that way.

 

[easygoing]

I agree that the Camino is so captivating that I have two seasons every year. Planning the Camino and walking the Camino. This moment I recline in a bed in Burgos. I am walking my fourth Camino in four years. This time I share my Camino with my granddaughter Lena and a good friend Rose. Some people say the Camino is a once in a lifetime experience. Don't believe them. Each time is different and the Camino never disappoints me. These posts encourage me to come again. Wow I am addicted. I am hopeless. I have reached the place of planning my next Camino as I still walk this one. Buen Camino

 

[nycwalking]

I agree that the Camino is so captivating that I have two seasons every year. Planning the Camino and walking the Camino. This moment I recline in a bed in Burgos. I am walking my fourth Camino in four years. This time I share my Camino with my granddaughter Lena and a good friend Rose. Some people say the Camino is a once in a lifetime experience. Don't believe them. Each time is different and the Camino never disappoints me. These posts encourage me to come again. Wow I am addicted. I am hopeless. I have reached the place of planning my next Camino as I still walk this one. Buen Camino

Can we trade places? I'm in L.A. sunny day!
Buen camino.