MikeSass
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- I'm planning to walk he Camino in 2016 or2017
Well, anybody visiting this forum for a while may be already familiar with my stance on the significance of where a pilgrim chooses to sleep at night: much ado about nothing. A lot of folks want to set and proclaim to others the norms of pilgrimage and in doing so it only shows their own ignorance about pilgrimages, specifically as it pertains the Camino de Santiago. Personally, I did not stayed in Albergues and still managed to meet tons of great people, including touring many sites in the company of other pilgrims, and many communal dinners. I am heading out next week for my 6th time on the Camino (Frances) and have no intention whatsoever to stay in an albergue. I am sure somebody can benefit well more than I from that available bed. I will get up well rested, take my sweet time on the Camino and let others on the "Race to the Beds" rushed by, not a problem.
The Camino pilgrimage was probably never set out to be a fraternization trip to begin with. The goal was to make it to Santiago from your home. You had to prepare well to ensure a safe passage and arrival. Local churches offered baggage transfer services, wealthy families set up shelters and provided free food, wealthy pilgrims stayed in better accomodations and contributed to poor pilgrims passages, Kings and Queens built bridges, hospitals, lodgings, there was even the Knights of Templar "police force" that helped transport pilgrims through treacherous sections. The goal was to make it whatever it took. So, Brissy, you don't HAVE TO walk the Camino. You CHOOSE to walk the Camino. Do it in the manner you think it will ensure your safe passage. All that needs to happen, will. Buen Camino.
Did you tent/tarp the whole way?