18 year old walking El Camino Frances alone?

[kaitlynkrug]

Hello!

My college plans have been put on hold for half a year to take this journey. When I start the walk, I will be 18 years old. I am planning to leave by the end of August. My parents are concerned because they think that it won't be safe for an 18 year old young women to be walking El Camino alone.

Is the journey safe?

I know there are the occasional thefts and such, but in general will I run into anything alarming? I like to think that I have a solid head on my shoulders with good judgement.

Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Buen Camino!
Kaitlyn from the United States

 

[Anniesantiago]

You will be fine.. .and you will be perfectly safe... and you will never be alone.
There are always other pilgrims around.
Go... and have a wonderful Camino!
It will change your life!

 

[Arn]

Kaitlyn...welcome to the Forum and the Class of 2012!

In centuries past, once a young man finished the standard classes they took the "grand tour" to the key capitols of the "civilized world"...Paris, Heidelberg, Vienna, Venice, Roma. This was a rite of passage...mostly for men.

Today, women take to the road along side men.

The Camino is not far and away from civilization. Your fellow pilgrims will be there and you will have a fantastic time walking the Way.

Buen Camino,

Arn

 

[crackmrmac]

Hóla Kaitlyn,
Be yourself and all will be well, but you probably need to hear that from female pilgrims.
It is the best present you can give yourself.
Buen Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Jo did it; so can you:

el-camino-frances/topic3908.html#p21380

http://www.jo-camino.blogspot.com/2009/ ... soana.html

 

[viajero]

I am also a female from the U.S. and although I am no longer young, I was when I lived in Spain in my very early 20s. I have never felt safer anywhere in the world as I did when I lived in Spain. I can understand your parents' concerns but it is likely much safer than wherever you live in the U.S.

 

[ettevi]

Hi - thanks for asking the question about women doing El Camino alone. While I'm not 18 and have done a lot of trekks on my own I've always been in the comfort of a guide. This will be a new experience for me as I plan on doing the walk in September alone and also had some concerns of safety. I feel much better about the walk now.....can't wait.

 

[migolito]

I can't speak for everyone, but. One of the reasons I'm doing the Camino is to 'walk without a net'. I'll be leaving those things that I have relied on, both physically and mentally, and embarking on a trek that really has no end.
Can bad things happen along the way, yes. That is life. How will I deal with those bad things? I'm not sure, yet, and I'm a 49 year old retired COP from S-Cali.
I would say this categorically, I've been to Spain and I was safer there than on the streets I spent 30 years chasing bad guys on.
One of the points of the Camino is to overcome fears, both real and imagined. In this case for you and your parents.
May we both have good luck and find we are safe on the Camino.

Mike