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A second time around

david g

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
camino frances/finistere sept 2012
Frances May 2015
Aragones/Portugese May 2016
Primitivo July 2017
I can't believe it's taken me over six months to get back on here. I'd like to share a few of the observations I had on my second time on the Camino France's.
1. Don't expect it to be the same as the first time. Nothing is ever the same on the second try. There is some kind of magic in the first time, something brought about by stepping day after day into the unknown.
2. The pilgrims are the same, only different. That's one of the things I found comforting. Pilgrims are pilgrims and you will find some to bond with no matter if it's your first camino or your twentieth.
3. You'll remember more than you think you do. I was surprised at times when I could recall what seemed to be the most minute detail about where to turn or what was coming up around the next bend.
4. Albergues get WARM. For some reason I thought walking in May would necessitate a warmer sleeping bag. Nope, not for me. You get a bunch of bodies at 98.6 in a closed up room, it's going to get warm. Carry a lighter bag and if you do get cold, put on a layer of clothes.
5. The beauty, soul and peace the Camino offered the first time are still there, waiting for you.
6. Lessons are learned. Some are new lessons, some are continuations of lessons learned the first time around.
7. Stay open to what the Camino is offering. Relax and let yourself be immersed and open to whatever comes up.
8. I have to walk at least one more. I knew as soon as I stood up from having my picture taken at the "0" kilometer in Finisterre that I needed to start planning another.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
7. Stay open to what the Camino is offering. Relax and let yourself be immersed and open to whatever comes up.

I like the concept of point 7. This life is a Journey for all of us and being open to new ideas, new people and new experiences makes the journey so worth while. The Camino seems to me to be an opportunity in life where new ideas, new people and new experiences come much more readily and easily. We just need to recognise them, take them onboard and learn from them whatever we can.
Aidan
 
Dear @david g welcome back. I look forward to your thread "A third time around".... We must all be nuts!

Enjoy the planning. Do you think you will walk the Francés again, or try another path?
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Dear @david g welcome back. I look forward to your thread "A third time around".... We must all be nuts!

Enjoy the planning. Do you think you will walk the Francés again, or try another path?
There is a loose plan at the moment to walk the Northern route in mid/late September. But I'd still be happy to walk the Frances again.
 

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