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Striderc8 said:Is this my first test?
Striderc8 said:Thank God for this forum, it would be a lonely prospect without it.
Thank you Falcon for these past posts - they make fascinating reading, and in particular, the compassion and understanding many veteran posters, yourself included, have shown to those who have been in distress.falcon269 said:A tale of unmet expectations:
el-camino-frances/topic15860.html
el-camino-frances/topic15509.html
el-camino-frances/topic15551.html
billbennettoz said:I'm about to do my first camino and I'm excited, but I'm also as nervous as hell. Nervous that I won't meet my greatest expectation, which is to finish.
fortview said:I hope you will let us know how it goes for you billbennettoz.billbennettoz said:I'm about to do my first camino and I'm excited, but I'm also as nervous as hell. Nervous that I won't meet my greatest expectation, which is to finish.
Fantastic. I think you'll have the most amazing time, and you'll look back on this period of doubt and hesitation as being an important and integral part of your Camino. Good luck!Striderc8 said:Thank you for your words of encouragement. I will set out at Easter as planned and maybe I'll just wait and see where it takes me.
Cate
Much of the fun is in the planning, and as one gets nearer the starting date a number of "what ifs" crop up and can spoil this fun. It is possible to soften such feelings if one can think of a "plan B". Nobody forces anyone to start the Camino Francés in SJPP (Annakappa and myself have refused to start there - that's another story :| ) nor are there specific rules as to how you are supposed to do the pilgrimage. Annakappa insisted to carry her backpack all the way, whereas I would have (secretlyStriderc8 said:12 years ago I promised myself to walk El Camino...I confess I am on the verge of giving up my dream and not going. Is this my first test?
sagalouts said:Hi cate
it would be strange if you weren't having second thoughts-I've walked on the Camino's every year since 2009 sometimes twice a year and I still get doubts,its a big thing we do. but please don't get put off by all the bad news thats being posted.
the road out of SJPdP is not a busy road-the Napoleon route is 3/4 tarmac-I have hardly ever seen people in high viz jackets and I have never seen any locals anywhere in Spain walking round at dawn or dusk in them either,the idea is just laughable.
Yes some of the Camino will fail to live up to your expectations and some will exceed them.
yes you are being tested and will continue to be so but your not on your own, nor will you be in SJPdP
So why not come and join the rest of the self-doubters including myself I also walk from SJPdP in 3 weeks time (4th April)
I will be the one not in a high viz jacket
Ian
wayfarer said:I think its called tongue in cheek. :?
Our next trip starts in England. Sun would be nice. I have my doubts.Striderc8 said:. but now I realise I was expecting some sunshine!
Cate
falcon269 said:A tale of unmet expectations:
el-camino-frances/topic15860.html
el-camino-frances/topic15509.html
el-camino-frances/topic15551.html
I will set out at Easter as planned and maybe I'll just wait and see where it takes me.
Lydia Gillen said:I think it is well worth while spending a little extra money if necessary to make this first day as stress free as possible and book in somewhere that first night so that you are not anxious about getting a bed. Once you arrive there it is like a weight is removed from your back. and one day follows another as night follows day, and by day three you will wonder why you were anxious at all.
Being anxious most probably means that you are being careful about being prepared as best you can, and that is good.
Buen Camino
Thengel1 said:Hello Cate:
Your post struck a chord with me for two reasons:
1. Like you, I am scheduled to take my first step from Saint Jean Pied de Port in about three weeks (three weeks from tomorrow, to be precise)
2. Also like you, I have been worrying about my ability to do this. In my case, I carry far too much weight on me, and my efforts to lose it in the last few months have been unsuccessful.
I am not sure I have any great wisdom to impart here, I just wanted to say that you are not alone in having doubts. But come April 2nd, I will be there. And if takes me longer to reach Santiago than anyone who ever has walked it, so be it.
There are always going to be reasons not to do something. From what I have read, the high road to Roncesvalles can be closed even in July. One thing I have learned in past year is that we have very little control about things that happen in our lives. I suspect the camino will be the same. That is not a reason not to do it.
Don't give up.
Glen
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