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I just arrived in Santiago (started in St Jean and carrying my pack) and had absolutely zero issues getting a bed for the night anywhere along the way. In fact, last night in Pedrouzo I counted at least 20 empty beds in the very nice albergue I stayed in.
I'm pretty tired of hearing people who made a choice to walk a long distance and carry their own bag criticizing those who chose a different way.
I spent about an hour on my walk today angry about someone who left a note outside their tent along the trail asking for donations because they were a "real" pilgrim, not a tourist on a cheap holiday. (then I was angry at myself for letting it get to me) As if they are somehow more deserving to be on the Camino than someone who they know nothing about. Maybe that "tourist" has limited time because they care for a sick child or parent. Maybe that "tourist" has devoted their life to doing work that improves the lives of others. I consider those to be much more noble acts than someone who is walking the Camino, which is an act that really only benefits the "pilgrim". Every one of us who has the time, money and health to walk the Camino are very fortunate, and should be thankful that we have the opportunity to do so. It's impossible to know the circumstances of others on the way, and certainly not helpful to judge them for not taking the same path we are.
Furthermore, when people have their packs transported they are actually helping to provide jobs to Spaniards! As are those who are taking a bus, or following a tour guide.
I personally enjoyed meeting people who had just begun and were eager to start the Camino, regardless of how much time they were spending on it.
Can anyone recommend luggage transfer co. On via de la Plata, from Zamora to S de C ?
Tried Correos, bu they say they don't facilitate that section.
Planning ahead, for next Spring.
Thanks.
actually, I think a genuine plea for information. I started a new thread in VdlP, if anyone knows please answer him, I searched the forum and couldn't find an answer, and I only walked one step of this camino, so never got a feel for support infrastructure. thanks so much, and forgive the veer off topicTongue in cheek methinks.
There is the problem, I was angry after my third camino, but I got over it. It is the fourth this coming June perhaps I will be even more angry!!!!!!!!So I've just finished my third Camino
I had some of my kit transported along the way. Mostly I carried my own kit and that of one of my daughter's (she's 12 weighs about 40 kgs). I saw some people carry all their kit all the way, some not. I also booked some albergues in advance.So I've just finished my third Camino and I found the bag transporting and people with little to no packs having reserved and/or got into Albergues pretty frustrating. Don't get me wrong, if people are injured that's fine but when I see the regular Jacotrans van flying by every day rammed with packs, it annoys me when way more people then not are physically capable to carry it.
My problem is the fact I got turned away from numerous places only to see people which were sitting around in their make up and fresh clothing from their wheelie bags that are transported along every stage while me with pack having to walk on to the next village sometimes.
Maybe I'm a bit angry but I think anyone who bag drops (minus injury) so be told to wait till 6pm to reserve a bed.
I'm not even going to go into the AC buses of pilgrims post Sarria that dominate the Albergues (reserved) and their tour guides book out all the tables to sit at in some bars for food so yet having to go to next bar/village for food.
I suppose I am annoyed but in the five years since my last Camino, this has turned into a commercialised joke of a walk.
Exactly!I'm pretty tired of hearing people who made a choice to walk a long distance and carry their own bag criticizing those who chose a different way.
We are walking 12-18km each day without a guide book.... we book a bed on the day using gronze.com the night before or 8 hours ahead or less as I like to know where I'm staying so I can relax on the walk. It's not a 'breeze' for me it's hard to walk everyday. I've now been on the Camino for 19 days and I'm weary even though I've had two rest days. I carry my pack to educate myself about what I really need as I'm planning on downsizing and decluttering my life on my return home, this is an opportunity for me but I might use a courier later when I've learnt what I need to know. I'm only on stage 11.... but this is ok as I stop in beautiful places to look and feel the Camino. I'll never walk the Camino again, so each footstep is special to me.Bed issue has me baffled as well. On Camino from sjpdep to Burgos plenty of beds. I usually finish trek by 1 30. Never start trek before 7 30. Plenty of time for shower dinner, washing clothes and exploring town or village. Bit of a breeze really Buen Camino. I walk solo and senior citizen Buen camino
... I'll never walk the Camino again,...
And it was the OP's first posting ...Remember that the OP has the right to express his/her opinion..just as others have.
Your opinion of transporting packs or wheeled suitcases ?? may differ but it is still just your "opinion".
.
you owe me for the coke I just spit out....You Optimist! Buen Camino, SY
Why must anyone suffer? Isn't there already enough suffering in the world without inflicting it on ourselves? What's wrong with walking with joy in every step?Exactly!
Who said that carrying a pack and walking is the most important "suffering" that pilgrims should endure? Perhaps that's too easy for most of us, and learning to put up with annoying people is a more important lesson of the camino.
Here is whatbthe Pilgrims Office hasbto say on sufferig, and what the cathedral did NOT want the Camino to be:Why must anyone suffer? Isn't there already enough suffering in the world without inflicting it on ourselves? What's wrong with walking with joy in every step?
I will laugh at this mental image for at least a week, thank youHe'd change into pajamas at night, complete with a smoking jacket looking robe and slippers. Like a Camino Hugh Hefner. but I ain't judging, just chuckling
It also means everyone is happier where they decide to stop. I don't believe the OP would disagree your need nor would I, I think it is simply how the Camino has not kept up with the changes that have occurred. Nor those of us that still keep our blissfull memories. I never saw a suitcase my entire trip, until leaving Santiago.It would be simpler for me if I could carry my pack. It would be nice not to have to book ahead each day, it would be lovely to have the freedom to just stop when I feel like it.
But with a dodgy disc which pops out fairly often causing excruciating pain and sciatica right down to my toes, plus foot problems (plantar fasciitis in one, navicular stress in the other, and flattening arches in both) it is better for my long-term health if I don't. So I use a transport service and book ahead.
I make sure to pack as light as possible because I have to carry my pack at the airports and when travelling to my start point, then home again. And sometimes when on camino I arrive at my day's destination and might decide to walk on a few km to stay with my companions, or just because I feel I can.
Carrying my pack does not make me a better pilgrim: it just makes me a grumpy and miserable one!
Keeping my body as healthy and pain-free as possible means I will be able to walk many more Caminos.
So when people choose to have their bags forwarded rather than carry them themselves, I feel sad for them as they have missed out on the opportunity to learn one of the Camino lessons. .
How do you know they've missed out on anything?
The fact is, you do not know their situation.
Take me, for example? I carried my pack on my first Camino all the way from SJPP to Santiago.
I've been there, done that.
Every step.
I don't care to do it now.
Now, I book bag transport for many reasons.
I can.
I want to.
It's easier for me to walk.
I have had injuries.
I like supporting the Spanish economy.
I don't feel I need to suffer..[/QUOTE
People here keep quoating people with disabilities of any kind as a reason" not to judge" . So, how many people are like you, really unable to carry their path, bs thinking they can"t, or won't? Because in my experience are those who really have a hindrance who do walk.
Last year in Cee I was overwhelmed by a foursome of South American wealthy women ( and please don't come and ask me how I knew, it' like having a radar: cuex aui s'assemble se ressemblent) discussing how little they would eat that evening in order not Gain weight...
Do don't be lazy, suffer as the Chuch asks you to, and shlep your backpack! Unkess you really can't. Or is propagting eating disorders a way to suffer as dictated? ;0(
I agree, those who don't try to carry thei pack and/or walk beyond 7am to 1pm are cheating themselves of the Camino.
And if you like supporting thr local economy, give to itd local Red Cross, hospital, and get nothing in return. That is generosity.
Do don't be lazy, suffer as the Chuch asks you to, and shlep your backpack! Unkess you really can't. Or is propagting eating disorders a way to suffer as dictated? ;0(
Can you show me where the Church asks me to schlep my backpack?
I wasn't aware it was a requirement.
Tell you what... you carry your pack and I'll ship mine ahead.
Then we'll both be happy[/QUOTE
Here ot goes again, posted for the second time in this thread. From tne Pilgrims' Office website:
"The appearance of motor vehicles and, in this century, the popularisation of tourism, represented somewhat of a crisis for pilgrimage: it was feared that the effort and sacrifice in the expiation of sins embraced in the pilgrimage on foot would be exchanged by a pleasant and enjoyable activity for the holidays. The Chapter of the Metropolitan Church of Santiago continued to issue the certificate and in modern times the award of the “Compostela” is limited to those who come to the tomb of the Apostle for religious and/or spiritual reasons, and following the routes of the Way of St. James on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. They are required to have travelled at least the last 100 kilometres on foot or horseback or the last 200 by bicycle, which is demonstrated by the “Credencial del Peregrino” duly stamped along the route travelled. Therefore other forms of travel to access the Compostela are excluded, except in the case of the disabled."
So while it does not addess the backpacks, I assume that when this was written noone had thought about the backpack industry, it does say the Church did not want the Camino to be a pleasant vaccation time, hence why it put into place minimum effort required to earn the Compostella, either by foot, bike or equine family member. Yup, effort, ie sacrifice, because it is no secret the Cathilic Church likes sacrifices.
I met some refuges that just have been given access to to the US from the Congo. All of us blessed to have walked the Camino & are very wealthy indeed. Sometimes we are simply blind to the luck we have been born into. After meeting them I felt as though in many ways we are all tourists as we have choices.
No annoyance ..Had to clarify the like.I don't know...does it matter who carries a pack? what if one person's pack is expensive and light weight, does it still qualify? Is there a max amount I can spend on foot wear? Should there be a sliding scale for age? I think it is admirable, those who walk far and carry heavy packs, and those who walk less and ship them ahead. Those who make friends and sing the entire way, and those who walk silent and alone. Those in albergues and tents and hotels...really, all of us. We are all really quite remarkable. I said this today already on a VdlP thread, but I'll bore everyone here as well. IMHO, IMHO, we have excess energy to spare if we are cataloging what people do and do not carry, and should walk further or carry more (I cannot believe I am channeling my mother twice in one day). On more than one march I have carried the pack of an airman or soldier who could not continue to carry his, until we reached out pickup point. And when I became hypothermic one winter, another airman wrestled me out of my pack (at great risk to himself, from me ) because he feared I would not make the last half-mile to camp (and was probably correct). I will admit, there were usually few pilgrims on my routes, but I cannot tell you if anyone used a bag service or not, or took a taxi or not, there were a lot of other things to occupy my mind. If I had known someone was using a service, I would like to think I would have offered to help carry their packs, instead, for at least one step. In the US military, we have a thing about leaving anyone behind. I think all of us on this forum would feel the same about our brother and sister pilgrims.
on that note, I've been feeling better today so will be back to work and stop annoying the &$%# out of all of you for a while.
Buen Camino
That annoyed me too but then I would remind myself that religious pilgrims must be pretty annoyed with me, who was out for a long walk, taking up their space.So I've just finished my third Camino and I found the bag transporting and people with little to no packs having reserved and/or got into Albergues pretty frustrating.
I much prefer to carry my own pack. I like the decluttering that comes with keeping my pack light, I like the sponteneity, I like having my possessions at hand, I like the body strengthening it brings, I like the feeling of competence.
I will continue to carry my own pack as long as I am physically able. After that, I will be grateful for the transport service.
.
On more than one march I have carried the pack of an airman or soldier who could not continue to carry his, until we reached out pickup point. And when I became hypothermic one winter, another airman wrestled me out of my pack (at great risk to himself, from me) because he feared I would not make the last half-mile to camp (and was probably correct). I will admit, there were usually few pilgrims on my routes, but I cannot tell you if anyone used a bag service or not, or took a taxi or not, there were a lot of other things to occupy my mind. If I had known someone was using a service, I would like to think I would have offered to help carry their packs, instead, for at least one step. In the US military, we have a thing about leaving anyone behind. I think all of us on this forum would feel the same about our brother and sister pilgrims.
I understand the frustration of the OP (who may by now be all over it). So many good suggestions on how to deal with or avoid this aggravation (and of course venting helps); the one I didn't see: book ahead yourself. The same places they reserved you can reserve. http://Gronze.com, http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/, booking.com, etc....
you are quite welcome!Thank you for the reference to Gronze. I did not find an 'English' button on the site, but think I can make my way through a reservation!
Thank you for the reference to Gronze. I did not find an 'English' button on the site, but think I can make my way through a reservation!
From my limited experience on the France's in Sept, it seems that a pilgrim has 2 choices: either finish walking by 2 or 2.30 at the latest, or book ahead.
If you finish walking by very early afternoon , you will wonder what all the fuss is about as you will very seldom not get a bed. Walk until say 5, and the problems arise.
Moral, if you are a slow and steady walker or a late riser, plan ahead.
So I've just finished my third Camino and I found the bag transporting and people with little to no packs having reserved and/or got into Albergues pretty frustrating. Don't get me wrong, if people are injured that's fine but when I see the regular Jacotrans van flying by every day rammed with packs, it annoys me when way more people then not are physically capable to carry it.
My problem is the fact I got turned away from numerous places only to see people which were sitting around in their make up and fresh clothing from their wheelie bags that are transported along every stage while me with pack having to walk on to the next village sometimes.
Maybe I'm a bit angry but I think anyone who bag drops (minus injury) so be told to wait till 6pm to reserve a bed.
I'm not even going to go into the AC buses of pilgrims post Sarria that dominate the Albergues (reserved) and their tour guides book out all the tables to sit at in some bars for food so yet having to go to next bar/village for food.
I suppose I am annoyed but in the five years since my last Camino, this has turned into a commercialised joke of a walk.
The bags/packs sent ahead thing is not that big of a deal, and really nothing wrong with doing that. Now I do admit, it's kinda annoying to have tourist style pilgrims who aren't even really walking the Camino take up bed spaces as they unload from cars, vans and buses, but overall one is still able to hold on to a really cool Camino experience.
Now the circus acts (yes, literally circus acts) in the plaza and around the cathedral in SDC, that really disgusted me. But that's another story...
Bronze is great Pville but you will do yourself a very big favour when in STJPdP if you buy Miam Miam Do Do.
How many chambers , total beds , 2-4-6 per room etc etc etc. and somewhere you will see the word Piscine , stay there mate and have a swim.
So I've just finished my third Camino and I found the bag transporting and people with little to no packs having reserved and/or got into Albergues pretty frustrating. Don't get me wrong, if people are injured that's fine but when I see the regular Jacotrans van flying by every day rammed with packs, it annoys me when way more people then not are physically capable to carry it.
My problem is the fact I got turned away from numerous places only to see people which were sitting around in their make up and fresh clothing from their wheelie bags that are transported along every stage while me with pack having to walk on to the next village sometimes.
Maybe I'm a bit angry but I think anyone who bag drops (minus injury) so be told to wait till 6pm to reserve a bed.
I'm not even going to go into the AC buses of pilgrims post Sarria that dominate the Albergues (reserved) and their tour guides book out all the tables to sit at in some bars for food so yet having to go to next bar/village for food.
I suppose I am annoyed but in the five years since my last Camino, this has turned into a commercialised joke of a walk.
$$Why not stay in Municipals / Xuntas where this whole issue wouldn't matter?
What I have loved about my Camino experience is the lack of judgement, the desires among many to be helpful, empathetic, and friendly. This forum seems to unleash the negativity that is seldom found along the route.
If this forum is a hotbed of unleashed negativity, compared to other forums on other topics, I would be astounded! It does unleash a lot of talk about all aspects of the Camino experience, which includes good and bad, and many variations in between. On the Camino people talk about beds, equipment, aches and pains. Here we talk about beds, equipment, aches and pains, too. On the Camino people talk about joys and sadness, just as we do here.This forum seems to unleash the negativity that is seldom found along the route.
Aha..
..."Can I unicycle the Camino in a Tutu?" "Yes: if you must."
...
It is true that the internet has limitations compared to face-to-face communications. We tend to moderate some things in person (less likely to tell strangers our frank opinion of them). Also, on the forum, we can re-read things over and over, sometimes attaching meanings that were not intended, or that should be glossed over and forgotten because it was just a spontaneous and careless statement.
That's true in real life, too. I used to fume after a "discussion" with my husband, and wish I had a tape recording of the conversation to prove how illogical and wrong he was. Now, many years later, I have come to realize how awful and pointless it would be to review those conversations!sometimes my posts have been misunderstood and there was little I could do about it. Like ' stop digging? '
"Can I unicycle the Camino in a Tutu?" "Yes: if you must."
So I've just finished my third Camino and I found the bag transporting and people with little to no packs having reserved and/or got into Albergues pretty frustrating. Don't get me wrong, if people are injured that's fine but when I see the regular Jacotrans van flying by every day rammed with packs, it annoys me when way more people then not are physically capable to carry it.
My problem is the fact I got turned away from numerous places only to see people which were sitting around in their make up and fresh clothing from their wheelie bags that are transported along every stage while me with pack having to walk on to the next village sometimes.
Maybe I'm a bit angry but I think anyone who bag drops (minus injury) so be told to wait till 6pm to reserve a bed.
I'm not even going to go into the AC buses of pilgrims post Sarria that dominate the Albergues (reserved) and their tour guides book out all the tables to sit at in some bars for food so yet having to go to next bar/village for food.
I suppose I am annoyed but in the five years since my last Camino, this has turned into a commercialised joke of a walk.
They have bike transport as well?
Sorry! I know it is not a sin. I also know if it is a choice. In my Camino this year I met and spend quite a while talking to a nice guy from Australia who got a hernia shortly after starting. He told me he regularly sent his pack ahead and sometime on the way to Leon, where we talked, that when the pain was too bad he took a taxi. I thought he should have listened to what the Camino was telling him, but he wanted to continue on with people he came to Spain with to do the Camino.
I feel that each does the Camino in their own way, based on their own needs and means. Some pilgrims are more into penitent(feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses) others are just into reaching the holly places. I think pilgrims should be respectful, grateful, and thoughtful. Other than that, let them travel as they ma
I have just finished a short touristcamino from Logroño to Leon. After reading this thread earlier, I was triggered to try out paqmochila con correos and send a small bag with correos from place to place to see how it worked out. Never tried luggagetransport before,but now myhurtbyskiinglastwinterarm told me it could be nice with a lighter backpack.
Since I started in Logroño I thought I could make my "deal" with correos there. Started at the nearest postoffice, they did not have clue about what I was talking about. They sendt me to the correos in the old town, who did not know so much either, but at last they found a person who could help me with an envelope where I could put my receit of having paid for my 14 days. Next I had to call Santiago to tell where my mochila was to be picked up and at last I could send a list of all my stayings.
I was not too optimistic, but it was quite OK. My bag was picked up early in the morning, often before I left and it was waiting for me when I arrived every day. So good work correos!
Either the luggagetransporter nor the hostels is responsible for your belongings, you just put your luggage there and most places anybody could pick it up and leave but nobody did!!!
So now I have tried it, and I did not steal any bed from anybody in albergues. But I was surprised to hear from people I met that they sendt their luggage to municipal albergues as well, that was not a problem.
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