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Well I have just found someone to bless today.For me, making the most of the Camino is not about seeing or doing particular things, but having the opportunity to just *be*, simply walking and discovering who I can bless each day.
I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss
I completely understand your taking on it (It's your very first Camino, after all, and you cannot know what to expect).Hello
So I'm planning my firs Camino at April, and I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss.
I saw a great discussion about albergues to not miss, and I would like to start something similar with programs (like horse riding, or take a break in a thermal pool).
(not to make the way easier, to to something different what you can do only there)
Did you do something on the Way what is a nice memory and normally not part of the road?
Thank you
I love this.I discovered that the point was to not do that, but to accept what unfolded, and to ‘fold it in’ as I walked.
"The" Granon albergue was closed the day we were there.The communal albergue in Granon.The Chalice of Christ in Burgos. The plains of the Meseta. The Cruz de Ferro (Bring a stone). Ponferrada's magnificent 1100 AD Templar Castle. O'Cebreiro. The huge monasterio of Samos. And much, much more. They are all directly on the Way-
I did my reading but, as it turned out, the greatest experience was to be there on the ancient road, in the moment, in the weather, in the mountains, on the plains and among the pilgrims.
Yourself, and your own Soul.
The camino journey is as much about what happens inside than seeing and doing things.
So let yourself get lost and totally disoriented. And then find the way home.
You can do that on the Camino much more easily almost anywhere else...
I completely understand your taking on it (It's your very first Camino, after all, and you cannot know what to expect).
Do your research and read-up: This forum is an abundance of qualified information. Use the Search function.
There are many magnificent things to see (I assume the Camino Frances): The very first day of walking, just being there, and knowing that you have made it to the Camino, and you are there, walking! The first week: You understand the system and the ease of it. The communal albergue in Granon.The Chalice of Christ in Burgos. The plains of the Meseta. The Cruz de Ferro (Bring a stone). Ponferrada's magnificent 1100 AD Templar Castle. O'Cebreiro. The huge monasterio of Samos. And much, much more. They are all directly on the Way-
But, hopefully (and I think you will discover it), the most valuable you will find, is not a holiday/vacation/sights, but your own new soul. The Camino has a profound impact on many people. Cannot be explained (by me), but nevertheless it exists. I hope you will get to see the most important thing you can find/see on the Camino: Your you. The Camino is about you. And remember, however weird it may sound now, The Camino will give you what you need, not neccessarily what you want. And I am not talking about sights, but you.
All this may seem meaningless to you right now, but you will (hopefully) perfectly understand it when, after weeks of walking, you stand in front of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, realising that your long walk is over. But a new one is in the making: The walk of the rest of your life, based on lessons learned on the Camino. The Camino is a strong teacher.
And then you will return and walk again in order to better understand what happened to you, and become even betterAnd you will become an addict like so many of us.
As soon as you have started walking, the best plan is to not have a plan. Let each day decide. Be surprised and make decisions accordingly.
Hello
So I'm planning my firs Camino at April, and I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss...
Hello
So I'm planning my firs Camino at April, and I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss.
I saw a great discussion about albergues to not miss, and I would like to start something similar with programs (like horse riding, or take a break in a thermal pool).
(not to make the way easier, to to something different what you can do only there)
Did you do something on the Way what is a nice memory and normally not part of the road?
Thank you
Hello
So I'm planning my firs Camino at April, and I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss.
I saw a great discussion about albergues to not miss, and I would like to start something similar with programs (like horse riding, or take a break in a thermal pool).
(not to make the way easier, to to something different what you can do only there)
Did you do something on the Way what is a nice memory and normally not part of the road?
Thank you
What is a Scottish fold cat?The responses above are right, magic just happens when you let the Camino unfold - Often the smallest things bring such joy . After two caminos some of the random things that stick in my brain:
The wonderful communal dinner with pilgrims all sharing their food at Najera (and then no sleep that night as Real Madrid won that day). The albergue came with a tiny little Yorkie who was really cute
The amazing museum in Burgos where we spend 4 hours - I forget the name - Human Evolution I think
A little place in Viana, where we had an unexpected afternoon of meditation, tea, foot massages and soaking our feet. And we slept that night with a fellow pilgrims dogs. (I missed my dogs)
Villafranca del Bierzo where we caught up with a pile of Camino people we'd met earlier and had a reunion. And then nearly got locked out of the albergue after a night of cheese, wine and laughter.
The smell of eucalypts in Galicia in the rain, and the boulder crossings over the streams
The monastery at Samos is truly impressive, especially viewed from above on the hill through the gaps in the stone wall
Looking down through the mists to the valleys below OCebreiro
The amazing rivers in the Meseta - and the cuckoos
Moving the tables apart at an outdoor cafe at O Pedrouza so the stock cars could race through between the tables (I think they won the football that night too)
On day 2 crossing the bridge into Zubiri and being overwhelmed by a sense of history
The place in Navarette with all the cats, and the owner brought us warm figs from his trees. I fell half way down the stone stairs the next morning and completely escaped injury.
The cathedral in Leon is truly magical
The stork nests everywhere
The 'templar' with the falcon on the way to Rabanal and Rabanal my all time favorite village
The Gaudi palace in Astorga
The delight I felt when I finally found a pharmacy that was open
Sunflowers fields in Navarre - and someone made a smiley face out of a flower
And also the delight when I found a yarn shop next to our hostal in Leon (I'm a knitter - that was such a bonus)
Bursting into tears at the sound of the bagpipes in Santiago
The amazing place at Ambasmestas with its own lake and individual rooms. They had a Scottish fold cat, and served food grown and caught on their own property. Lovely people. Magic.
The place in Los Arcos with the wobbly uneven spiral staircase to the attic where we slept - and some kind of worms fell out of the beams above on to our mattresses
I just have to look at the stamps in my credential to bring back the memories - most of which would never be found in a guide book
And above all - all the wonderful people we met, talked to and walked with - and what I learned about myself.
I know I came away a different person - I like the person I am when on Camino
Don't look back unless you want to go there.Every now and again STOP and look behind you
I think one of the simplest pieces of advice I could offer would be to avoid being “tunnel visioned”. Every now and again STOP and look behind you. You will be amazed how the view and more importantly your relationship to it changes. Also I don’t know how many times I sit 4 or 5 meters off the track under a tree and people walk past looking neither left or right. You never know what’s just off the track. Don’t forget to do things like buy a bottle of Rose and some cheese find a paddock sit and relax. Other writers are correct. Best moments are spontaneous. Plan a bit don’t do a rest stop in a big town on Mondays. Museums are closed. Build in a few rest days in bigger towns. Relax a bit.
Excuse me? I think I have come into the wrong thread...The sights are spectacular but the traditions of the Caminos are just as important. For instance - Don't forget to give a big hug to every member of the Guardia Civil that you encounter; in Leon it is expected that you will throw the first 'tapa' you are offered on the floor and demand "Mas"; if you don't like the bunk you have been allocated at Roncesvalles just move someone else's kit and take theirs. And, if you pass through London on your way to the Camino don't forget to test the famous echo in the Reading Room of the British Museum.
This is a really interesting question. And my answer might sound a little odd to you. The first time I did the Camino, I had the same question. But the more I have done them, the more I have given up on those ‘must-see’, ‘must-eat’, ‘must-do’ lists associated with tourist destinations. There are lots of things to see on the Way. Some you can’t miss. But really, I think the road kind of takes over, and lets you discover things - about the space and about yourself. That’s what makes the camino really really special and different. Hope you find lots of things to love and rememberHello
So I'm planning my firs Camino at April, and I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss.
I saw a great discussion about albergues to not miss, and I would like to start something similar with programs (like horse riding, or take a break in a thermal pool).
(not to make the way easier, to to something different what you can do only there)
Did you do something on the Way what is a nice memory and normally not part of the road?
Thank you
Thank you, Anamiri! I have never heard of that. My new learning for the day, yesterday. Now I will be inspecting cats to see if I can spot the difference...This is the cat, they have a genetic cartilage issue that causes them to have ears that fold forward. This one was the boss of the place
View attachment 49687
That would be Calle Laurel in Logrono but I wholeheartedly agree it's a must to pay a visitStay in Logrono and visit thr Calle Lorrel after 8:30pm for tapas and vino.
Did you do something on the Way what is a nice memory and normally not part of the road?
Alun,Hello
So I'm planning my firs Camino at April, and I'm looking for recommendation what I should plan to not miss.
I saw a great discussion about albergues to not miss, and I would like to start something similar with programs (like horse riding, or take a break in a thermal pool).
(not to make the way easier, to to something different what you can do only there)
Did you do something on the Way what is a nice memory and normally not part of the road?
Thank you
Can you share it with all of us, please?Alun,
I wrote notes day-by-day on what not to miss! I can send it to you.
Excuse me? I think I have come into the wrong thread...
One thing I encountered in my reading was the memorial about 4 km after Villafranca Montes de Oca to the fallen on one side of the Spanish Civil War. I suspect they thought of themselves as loyalists to their country.
The night before I had stayed at Viloria de Rioja. During a walk around the village I encountered the parish church and noticed in a porchway a memorial to, presumably, local loyalists who had died or served some 80 years ago.
@Alun26 , kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)
and you have to understand mine: equally dry at times...I suggest that Tinker was being irreverent and humorous... You have to understand his sense of humor....VERY dry...but very funny, at least IMHO.
The file is 6MB and too big to upload here. Just send me your email address and I'll send it on.Can you share it with all of us, please?
I too abandoned all plans except for music. I lived in the present taking in the sights, sounds, tastes, touches and smells of the Camino. We had many "Camino" moments totally unexpected and things that could never be planned for. So good to let these special moments unfold. Buen Camino!For me, making the most of the Camino is not about seeing or doing particular things, but having the opportunity to just *be*, simply walking and discovering who I can bless each day.
And while I love to plan my Camino in advance, as soon as I hit Spanish soil I abandon the plan and let each walk take its own course.
I say this not to discourage you from researching, but to encourage you to hold your pre-walking discoveries lightly.
Alun 26, it was a perfectly good question. And there were lots things that people suggested that would be fun to doThank you, for all your answers and advises.
Maybe my wording was wrong and sorry if somebody took it personally. (I really don't want to hurt anybodies feeling or pulling somebodies leg, I just couldn't put into words what was in my mind.) I don't want to over plan it, I was just so happy when I find out, we still have the opportunity to do a small part of the way on horse back. Just because I really like horses, but in the city I don't have the chance, to be with them in nice places. I really like to share the nice places of the nature with my dog also, but she can't come with me, I know I will miss her the most. Now I understand, the best of the Camino is what you share with others, and you can't plan it or control it.
Thank you for sharing your memories, it was really inspiring to read, I hope we will meet to share some nice moment.
I hope that you haven't taken our comments as personal criticisms, either! I understand how words and phrases on the internet sometimes don't work exactly as we intended. I was one of the people who cautioned against "bucket list" thinking, and I think that point was a valid one to be made. I hope you will accept it as another piece of information (or another perspective) about the journey you are planning.Maybe my wording was wrong and sorry if somebody took it personally. (I really don't want to hurt anybodies feeling or pulling somebodies leg, I just couldn't put into words what was in my mind.)
please share with me too!Alun,
I wrote notes day-by-day on what not to miss! I can send it to you.
Maybe take a cooking class? It should be relatively easy to search the web for one in the CF's bigger cities.
On a weekend their may be several local volunteer projects going on. Maybe you can find one.
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