- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances (2022)
Del Norte (2022)
In March I asked this forum if I should turn left in Reims, France and take the Via Francigena to Rome. The answer was: “No, go to Santiago de Compostela!” and I did.
Last Monday, September 12, I reached Rotterdam, my hometown, after I walked nearly 5.400 kilometer on the Via Monastica to Vezelay, then took the Via Lemovicensis to Nevers, Limoges and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Then the Camino Frances and, as you should do, to Finisterre and Muxia. After that the Camino Del Norte, back to SJPdP. Then Bordeaux, Poitiers, Tours, Orleans, around Paris (too big, too busy, too warm), Brussels, Antwerp and finally Rotterdam. I am a bit tired, but the experience is worth it.
What did I learn?
You need at least two pair of shoes. You can wash your body with shampoo and wash your hair with soap. I encountered no villains. If you fall down only once, you’re doing good. Allbergues are not for me (if you walk a long distance for more than six months, you need good nights sleep). I enjoyed the east of France more than the west. I still don’t like mountains to climb. I saw beautiful landscapes, but also boring ones, even on the Camino Frances. Bed bugs are really terrible. If you walk from home and back again, do not carry too much and be prepared to skip lunch ever so often (when not on a ‘official’ route). Don’t expect to see pilgrims walking back home (I never met one). You are not too old to do this (I am 67). You walk yourself into a perfect condition and therefor you can easily increase your daily distances after a few weeks; my average was nearly 29 kilometer per day.
I am glad to be back home but I might, just might, take another Camino some day. But first, in 2023, my brother and I will ride our bicycles to Santiago. Same destination, different routes and a bit faster to reach.
Last Monday, September 12, I reached Rotterdam, my hometown, after I walked nearly 5.400 kilometer on the Via Monastica to Vezelay, then took the Via Lemovicensis to Nevers, Limoges and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Then the Camino Frances and, as you should do, to Finisterre and Muxia. After that the Camino Del Norte, back to SJPdP. Then Bordeaux, Poitiers, Tours, Orleans, around Paris (too big, too busy, too warm), Brussels, Antwerp and finally Rotterdam. I am a bit tired, but the experience is worth it.
What did I learn?
You need at least two pair of shoes. You can wash your body with shampoo and wash your hair with soap. I encountered no villains. If you fall down only once, you’re doing good. Allbergues are not for me (if you walk a long distance for more than six months, you need good nights sleep). I enjoyed the east of France more than the west. I still don’t like mountains to climb. I saw beautiful landscapes, but also boring ones, even on the Camino Frances. Bed bugs are really terrible. If you walk from home and back again, do not carry too much and be prepared to skip lunch ever so often (when not on a ‘official’ route). Don’t expect to see pilgrims walking back home (I never met one). You are not too old to do this (I am 67). You walk yourself into a perfect condition and therefor you can easily increase your daily distances after a few weeks; my average was nearly 29 kilometer per day.
I am glad to be back home but I might, just might, take another Camino some day. But first, in 2023, my brother and I will ride our bicycles to Santiago. Same destination, different routes and a bit faster to reach.
