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Maybe you're right! I was trying to balance out all the pink glasses stories lol.I'm not convinced that it helps to know too much. Go without expectations!
It is very possible, but most go with expectations; some go with impossible expectations.That is not possible!
no vegemite
Agreed!I'm not convinced that it helps to know too much. Go without expectations!
A day of rain in the early days will take care of any illusions, let alone day after day of rain.Maybe you're right! I was trying to balance out all the pink glasses stories lol.
lol ok, I will try that approach.True. No matter how much we try we always have some kind of picture in our heads. Perhaps I should say - expect the unexpected. It helps when stuff crops up - oh, I say to myself, here I am again, in the middle of something unplanned, unanticipated, unknown. It is comforting.
And back to the original question (in no particular ranking):
- no vegemite
Eh, the rain... I know, I'm hopeful I'll have a rain-free camino like I've heard other people experience. lol. Wishful thinking I know. I will have a poncho in caseA day of rain in the early days will take care of any illusions, let alone day after day of rain.
That or developping plantar fasciitis or tearing a miniscus a third into your journey.
Yes, you are very right. I think you translated what I have been thinking about for a while. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. When I go on walks and I'm sore when I arrive home, I keep thinking about how on the camino I'd have to walk again to buy food, getting around town, full albergues, fitting in time to wind down, laundry, making supper, etc. Amidst the pain all over your body. It seems to me like a never ending cycle of rinse-repeat everyday.I think a problem many people encounter is that they romanticize what the camino is going to be like beforehand. After all, it's "just walking". Once out there, the realization that it's really hard hits them in the face and I've seen many quit. There's a lot of pain from your head to your toes, hot or rainy weather to deal with, frustrations from not being able to clearly communicate or stress about whether you'll be able to find a bed. But in the end, the people you meet, the scenery you pass and the sense of accomplishment you feel make it all worthwhile .
The hardest walking comes 5 km before your daily destination but the shower that comes after is soooo nice.Let me explain. I've been planning the walk for three years, having bouts of super excitement and bouts of not thinking about it as much. The thing is whenever I feel excited again about planning and going, I have your wonderful pictures and stories come to mind. I am aware of the not so good days, the blisters, the full albergues, but I wonder if I'm painting myself a just picture of the journey ahead, even though you can't really foresee it to begin with.
So, I'm asking for your not so fun stories, to better help me grasp the grandeur of the journey lying in front of me. Pictures are also welcome...
Thank you!
A day of rain in the early days will take care of any illusions, let alone day after day of rain.
That or developping plantar fasciitis or tearing a miniscus a third into your journey.
Hey...I'd nearly forgotten about all those things! I "was" going to say my experiences were all "rose colored glasses", but in truth I've experienced at least half of your list.And back to the original question (in no particular ranking):
I could go on. All terrible. Which is why I've been back 11 times.
- sore knees
- sunburn
- blisters
- bedbugs
- snorers
- early risers
- no vegemite
- wonky mattresses
- hard concrete paths
- mud, mud, mud
- cow poo
- smelly silage
- crabby shopkeepers
I was lucky my accuponcturist had recommended rain pants, so I was not soaked from the rain, but my Merino sweater was wet from sweat which was no fun. Also a lot less laudrying done as clothes would not dry over nigjt inless the albergue had a drier. And I wear Gortex shoes, mostly, so no wet shoes, but many did have newspaper in theor boots to help them dry.When you say 'day after the rain' you imply wet clothes from the day before, mud, wet shoes? :/ eh ok, now you got me thinking too much haha.
but the shower that comes after is soooo nice
I really disliked my training walks...boring and repeating the yoyo walking cycle over and over near home.Yes, you are very right. I think you translated what I have been thinking about for a while. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. When I go on walks and I'm sore when I arrive home, I keep thinking about how on the camino I'd have to walk again to buy food, getting around town, full albergues, fitting in time to wind down, laundry, making supper, etc. Amidst the pain all over your body. It seems to me like a never ending cycle of rinse-repeat everyday.I have a lot of respect for people who have walked the way already. Practice walks have been an eye opener for me.
Thanks for reassuring me that the people you encounter and scenery truly make it worthwhile. That's what I'm looking forward to the most.
What's a vegemite??For myself, that's a positive, sealing the deal to keep my plans to start on 09/13.
Don't ask. Someone might make you taste the stuff. Treasure your ignoranceWhat's a vegemite??
It's an Australian aphrodisiac, made from brewing waste. Best avoided as it destroys taste buds and divides nations.What's a vegemite??
Marmite's cousin. Stick to peanit butter & jelly.What's a vegemite??
Are you talking about the Camino, or vegemite?Expect the unexpected. Much funnier that way. Besides - each persons experience is an individual experience and highly subjective. Now having said that - my not so funny experiences I quickly turned into something funny.
Ok, sticking to the original thread, if vegemite is the worst you experience on the way you are doing well. I suspect waiting over 3 years is going to be your biggest problem, life is too short to p@$$ about, if you want to go stop planning and step outside your door be on your way.Good one lol - but I am talking about the camino. The one time I tasted vegemite I almost threw up in my mouth.
LOL at the 'Road Blocks' in the picture! Thank you for responding -- and with the bonus picturesOften times this summer as we were walking, I would think of this forum and everything I had posted about my previous Camino experience - the nostalgic posts remembering all of the good parts and none of the challenges. I snapped photos of difficult moments this time around to remind myself that it is very challenging and folks should be prepared for those difficulties. [...]
Haha from what I read here, I will not be taking my chances with vegemite!Ok, sticking to the original thread, if vegemite is the worst you experience on the way you are doing well. I suspect waiting over 3 years is going to be your biggest problem, life is too short to p@$$ about, if you want to go stop planning and step outside your door be on your way.
Sorry for taking part in diverting this tread, the folks in the north are going pick up on this V-debate tomorrow and wonder what us mad antipodeans have been going on about.
Wow, I never would have thought that! Can't even imagine what it looks like, let alone tastes like...No wonder Anemone said "stick to peanut butter and jelly"!It is yeast extract that you spread on toast.
Thanks for all the details. It was "Greek to me." Also, when Anemone posted the word Marmite, I thought it was a typo for the mountain critter, marmot. Now that really had me confused!Vegemite is a very salty sticky spread made mainly of yeast extract. Very popular in Australia. We Brits have something called Marmite which has much the same ingredients but rather different flavour and texture. There is an advertising campaign for Marmite based on the idea that there is no middle ground - you either love it or hate it! Fans of Marmite tend to be rude about Vegemite - and vice versa. If that means being rude about the Aussies while doing so then it's win-win
When in doubt google away.Thanks for all the details. It was "Greek to me." Also, when Anemone posted the word Marmite, I thought it was a typo for the mountain critter, marmot. Now that really had me confused!
Thank you for the wise words. I want to go with an open mind, indeed. Reading about others' experiences, I guess, gives me things to imagine and feed off of, too, in the mean time.Preparing for the worst does not make it more bearable. Thinking of all that could go wrong does not make it easier to bear. Understanding that everyone's experience is different based on expectations, pain tolerances, equipment, attitude, patience, tolerance, weather (which in the same location can be quite different than at another time, or INTERPRETED differently than another person) , who else in on the WAY to change the dynamics- all creates a totally different Camino for people leaving at the same time on the same day
My best suggestion? Go with an open mind and the optimism to make the best of it. If you are prepared to flex and breathe, accept, the experience can be rewarding enriching and wonderful
just MHO
nanc
What route are you planning on going?Haha from what I read here, I will not be taking my chances with vegemite!
Yes, I know I should have gone by now, but life had other plans. I cannot wait. Finally found a pair of shoes for my narrow feet after... three years of trying everything on the shelves! But aside from that it's mostly time away from work that is the main issue.
Thank you for your input!
Addis make E4 and wider runners with big cushion soles simply Brilliant zero blistersWhat route are you planning on going?
I sympathise over the shoe thing, my feet are wide and large, they stop making female shoes at least 3 sizes down from my clod hoppers, not to worry men's shoes just as good for the Camino... And a friend put me onto Kinky Boots for my high heels... A completely different take on tramping, they make extra large sizes of women's shoes for cross dressers.
I tell people that you don't walk the Camino for the food or the sleep. The sleeping was especially tough for me. I slept mainly in albergues. It took me awhile to get used to sleeping on bunk beds in a big room. As far as the food, it just wasn't that great. Once in awhile you'd get lucky and have a wonderful communal dinner, but most of the restaurant meals were forgettable at best.Let me explain. I've been planning the walk for three years, having bouts of super excitement and bouts of not thinking about it as much. The thing is whenever I feel excited again about planning and going, I have your wonderful pictures and stories come to mind. I am aware of the not so good days, the blisters, the full albergues, but I wonder if I'm painting myself a just picture of the journey ahead, even though you can't really foresee it to begin with.
So, I'm asking for your not so fun stories, to better help me grasp the grandeur of the journey lying in front of me. Pictures are also welcome...
Thank you!
Duly noted! Some cringe in there w/ the feet picking in the kitchen...This is getting way off track. I'll burst a few more of your bubbles:
People who get up at 4.30am and wake you when it's not even hot and there's no bed shortage. People who repeatedly and obsessively rearrange all their pointless stuff and rustle their elaborate plastic bag 'packing system'. People who show you their stupid gadgets, tools, knives, and apps to make themselves feel super important and expert. Big groups that take over a place and exclude people, yet are convinced they are very sociable. People who get frantic because there aren't enough sockets to charge their multifarious (pointless) devices. People who poke and pick at their feet in the kitchen. People who moan about 'The Spanish' being loud. People who wear pretentious cosplay approximations of medieval garb. People who are on some kind of a hair shirt ticket. People who feel the need to monitor every step, emotion and bodily function with an app and then blog it to an indifferent world. People who sew their feet and go on about wool.
All the rain, wind, mud and cowshit in the world isn't as annoying as these people.
omg crossdressers shoes lol! at least you have options lol. I'm planning on walking the Frances, although a few other routes seem very beautiful, like the norte and vdlp.What route are you planning on going?
I sympathise over the shoe thing, my feet are wide and large, they stop making female shoes at least 3 sizes down from my clod hoppers, not to worry men's shoes just as good for the Camino... And a friend put me onto Kinky Boots for my high heels... A completely different take on tramping, they make extra large sizes of women's shoes for cross dressers.
lol I'll make sure to have a regular coat.The number of bad experiences and times you're annoyed depends less on what happens around you than your own attitude.
It's your choice whether you want your Camino to be full of moments where you're in a bad mood or full of potentially good or at least funny memories.
Things you can change, change to the better if you can, or at least try. Things you can't change, learn to accept them as they are instead of getting annoyed or angry, sometimes you'll even learn to love them or at least laugh about them.
About annoying people: More tolerance and less judgement does the trick. Everybody is annoying to someone, at least sometimes. Keep in mind we're all from different upbringings and cultural backgrounds. There's a difference between someone being truly rude and respectless, and someone annoying you simply because they're from a very different background with a very different set of social rules, or because maybe it's just that their personality is very different from yours. That doesn't make them an annoying or bad person in general. You might think of yourself as polite and nice, but there is most likely a person out there whose unwritten rules and boundaries you overstep without knowing. For example, never thought that my beloved coat could potentially annoy someone because it's considered a "pretentious cosplay approximation of medieval garb". You learn something new every day!
Oh yes, I have heard about the food! Thanks for reminding meI tell people that you don't walk the Camino for the food or the sleep. The sleeping was especially tough for me. I slept mainly in albergues. It took me awhile to get used to sleeping on bunk beds in a big room. As far as the food, it just wasn't that great. Once in awhile you'd get lucky and have a wonderful communal dinner, but most of the restaurant meals were forgettable at best.
Despite those two areas, I plan to walk the Camino again. The walking and the people and the countryside made up for the downsides.
This is getting way off track. I'll burst a few more of your bubbles:
People who get up at 4.30am and wake you when it's not even hot and there's no bed shortage. People who repeatedly and obsessively rearrange all their pointless stuff and rustle their elaborate plastic bag 'packing system'. People who show you their stupid gadgets, tools, knives, and apps to make themselves feel super important and expert. Big groups that take over a place and exclude people, yet are convinced they are very sociable. People who get frantic because there aren't enough sockets to charge their multifarious (pointless) devices. People who poke and pick at their feet in the kitchen. People who moan about 'The Spanish' being loud. People who wear pretentious cosplay approximations of medieval garb. People who are on some kind of a hair shirt ticket. People who feel the need to monitor every step, emotion and bodily function with an app and then blog it to an indifferent world. People who sew their feet and go on about wool.
All the rain, wind, mud and cowshit in the world isn't as annoying as these people.
I think Kanga's advice is good. All kinds of experiences are possible. I tried to just take one day at a time. Some things were not so pleasant, like the way you can feel a bit processed by staff providing services who seem to have seen one pilgrim too many. However, I hadn't anticipated how beautiful a good deal of the landscape is and it was fabulously rewarding.I'm not convinced that it helps to know too much. Go without expectations!
Hear, hear!This is getting way off track. I'll burst a few more of your bubbles:
People who get up at 4.30am and wake you when it's not even hot and there's no bed shortage. People who repeatedly and obsessively rearrange all their pointless stuff and rustle their elaborate plastic bag 'packing system'. People who show you their stupid gadgets, tools, knives, and apps to make themselves feel super important and expert. Big groups that take over a place and exclude people, yet are convinced they are very sociable. People who get frantic because there aren't enough sockets to charge their multifarious (pointless) devices. People who poke and pick at their feet in the kitchen. People who moan about 'The Spanish' being loud. People who wear pretentious cosplay approximations of medieval garb. People who are on some kind of a hair shirt ticket. People who feel the need to monitor every step, emotion and bodily function with an app and then blog it to an indifferent world. People who sew their feet and go on about wool.
All the rain, wind, mud and cowshit in the world isn't as annoying as these people.
I remember that May: cold with some hail and snow to give variety. It was the mud that irked me most though. However, through dumb luck 2013 was the year I chose to take a sleeping bag, instead of a silk liner!I was lucky my accuponcturist had recommended rain pants, so I was not soaked from the rain, but my Merino sweater was wet from sweat which was no fun. Also a lot less laudrying done as clothes would not dry over nigjt inless the albergue had a drier. And I wear Gortex shoes, mostly, so no wet shoes, but many did have newspaper in theor boots to help them dry.
And coooold nights, even with all my clothes on and albergue blankets since at the time I only walked with a liner and thin poly something blanket. Had too buy a heavy and uncomfortable mummy sleepback when I finally reached Burgos. Cold nights make for little sleep and tough walking days.
May 2013: the coldest month of May. on record in Spain. How Iever felt the need to ever walk again, I have no idea. But I now walk with a quilt and also a handsfree umbrella.
And the downsides are...???And back to the original question (in no particular ranking):
I could go on. All terrible. Which is why I've been back 11 times.
- sore knees
- sunburn
- blisters
- bedbugs
- snorers
- early risers
- no vegemite
- wonky mattresses
- hard concrete paths
- mud, mud, mud
- cow poo
- smelly silage
- crabby shopkeepers
Let me explain. I've been planning the walk for three years, having bouts of super excitement and bouts of not thinking about it as much. The thing is whenever I feel excited again about planning and going, I have your wonderful pictures and stories come to mind. I am aware of the not so good days, the blisters, the full albergues, but I wonder if I'm painting myself a just picture of the journey ahead, even though you can't really foresee it to begin with.
So, I'm asking for your not so fun stories, to better help me grasp the grandeur of the journey lying in front of me. Pictures are also welcome...
Thank you!
How about: "I failed to see a green vegetable en route until I got to Galicia!"And the downsides are...???
But did you see the red wine???How about: "I failed to see a green vegetable en route until I got to Galicia!"
Look to France - Chemin St. Jacque - lovely gites along the way - marvelous communal dinners - generally comfortable beds (bunk or not) in generally uncrowded dorms.I tell people that you don't walk the Camino for the food or the sleep. The sleeping was especially tough for me. I slept mainly in albergues. It took me awhile to get used to sleeping on bunk beds in a big room. As far as the food, it just wasn't that great. Once in awhile you'd get lucky and have a wonderful communal dinner, but most of the restaurant meals were forgettable at best.
Despite those two areas, I plan to walk the Camino again. The walking and the people and the countryside made up for the downsides.
Try not to overthink this experience. No one can predict what is going to happen and that is why we do it. Be as prepared as possible and take it from thereLet me explain. I've been planning the walk for three years, having bouts of super excitement and bouts of not thinking about it as much. The thing is whenever I feel excited again about planning and going, I have your wonderful pictures and stories come to mind. I am aware of the not so good days, the blisters, the full albergues, but I wonder if I'm painting myself a just picture of the journey ahead, even though you can't really foresee it to begin with.
So, I'm asking for your not so fun stories, to better help me grasp the grandeur of the journey lying in front of me. Pictures are also welcome...
Thank you!
This sentence is revealing of grand expectations!I'm asking for your not so fun stories, to better help me grasp the grandeur of the journey lying in front of me
Do fried frozen peas count as green vegetables?How about: "I failed to see a green vegetable en route until I got to Galicia!"
Ooooo can't let this one slide. Oh Vegemite, how I love thee. LEt me count the ways! truly one of the greatest gifts of life. YEs , you can thank us Aussies laterBut @camster is asking about the disadvantages of walking the Camino. Keeping half the globe between me and that gunk is one of the best reasons I could think of for staying here on the right side up.
How about this to burst your bubble: you may experience your fisrt feminie hygene pad ... for bad blisters on the ball of your feet.
I am sure they sell them in farmacias.Why would you put that picture in my head.... Better to go to the Farmacia.
Why would you put that picture in my head.... Better to go to the Farmacia.
I am told that Marmite predates Vegemite, and that in the planing for the commercial release of Vegemite, various names were tossed about before Vegemite was settled upon. One of the names considers was Parwill - with the advertising to be based on the line "if Parwill (Pa will), then Marmite (Ma might)" - thank goodness we avoided that one!Vegemite is a very salty sticky spread made mainly of yeast extract. Very popular in Australia. We Brits have something called Marmite which has much the same ingredients but rather different flavour and texture. There is an advertising campaign for Marmite based on the idea that there is no middle ground - you either love it or hate it! Fans of Marmite tend to be rude about Vegemite - and vice versa. If that means being rude about the Aussies while doing so then it's win-win
The alternative view being that, as Vegemite is made from the spent yeast from brewing of beer, the only thing that Vegemite gives us is more beer.... Vegemite is reputedly over 8% salt, which might explain why that jar at the back of the pantry never, ever, goes mouldy ...Ooooo can't let this one slide. Oh Vegemite, how I love thee. LEt me count the ways! truly one of the greatest gifts of life. YEs , you can thank us Aussies later
Indeed they do! I must have been walking with my eyes closed. Near-scurvy on the camino is no laughing matter...Do fried frozen peas count as green vegetables?
I think that was what caused me to miss the green vegetables.But did you see the red wine???
Thank you for thatThis sentence is revealing of grand expectations!What about finding there is no/little grandeur? Anticlimactic arrival in Santiago is often an unexpected surprise.
Wow wow wowI did fall into the expectations hole, but my Camino exceeded them all. I had really no complaints other than minor irritations that daily life can give us.
I do have a friend who, on her first Camino, experienced 23 straight days of rain. Much of it hard rain.
And she has returned to do many Caminos. I'm not sure I would have weathered that (pun intended) as well as she did, but there you go...
Blessings, Priscilla
And absorbs blister liquid as well...Because it helps to prevent blisters in hot weather. Absorbs perspiration, provides extra soft padding.
But it's a secret. Don't tell anyone.
hmm uh no.. lol - but i admit, i have actually heard of people doing that!How about this to burst your bubble: you may experience using your first feminie hygene pad ... for bad blisters on the ball of your feet.
Thank you for sharing. Love the expression 'the alchemy of the Camino' !The Camino, like life, will fulfill, destroy, challenge, fail and exceed all your expectations and then some I imagine and just like life it is impossible to predict in which way or when.
My first Camino happened with very little knowledge of the Camino and I really did turn up in St Jean more than a little bewildered and wondering what on earth I was doing. I am happy to admit that my first few days were tempered with fear and anxiety as I struggled to find my place in such an alien, to me, environment. But a few days into my journey I realized it was nothing that I expected and so much more than i could ever have hoped for.
The Camino really is a personal journey just as much as it can be a socially interactive journey and because it is personal it is impossible to know how you will react and feel. But just go with an open mind and heart. There might be days when it is the most amazing thing you have ever done or days when it has become tedious monotony. Just live and enjoy the possibilities it provides.
Oh, and for me, even the awful things had their silver linings. Adversity can produce surprising beauty in humankind. The alchemy of the Camino perhaps.
Go, with expectations and without! Buen Camino!
No, no, no, I won't show you how more than 100 bedbug bites looks like!Let me explain. I've been planning the walk for three years, having bouts of super excitement and bouts of not thinking about it as much. The thing is whenever I feel excited again about planning and going, I have your wonderful pictures and stories come to mind. I am aware of the not so good days, the blisters, the full albergues, but I wonder if I'm painting myself a just picture of the journey ahead, even though you can't really foresee it to begin with.
So, I'm asking for your not so fun stories, to better help me grasp the grandeur of the journey lying in front of me. Pictures are also welcome...
Thank you!
Lol...LOL...And back to the original question (in no particular ranking):
I could go on. All terrible. Which is why I've been back 11 times.
- sore knees
- sunburn
- blisters
- bedbugs
- snorers
- early risers
- no vegemite
- wonky mattresses
- hard concrete paths
- mud, mud, mud
- cow poo
- smelly silage
- crabby shopkeepers
Thank you for sharing. Love the expression 'the alchemy of the Camino' !
Discovering in Los Arcos that you left your wallet with passport, money, and credit cards in the albergue twelve kilometers back. Then calling to find out no one there speaks German, but the nice American guessed what you wanted and brought it to you by bicycle. But now the story gets fun: Another American sitting nearby on the bench said, "You forgot your passport? How un-German of you." Since she did not understand English, she just stared at him. He assumes she merely didn't get the joke: "Germans are supposed to be so organized and meticulous." She still stares at him. Before he can stick his foot in deeper, the fellow sitting next to him says (with a German accent), "Germans also don't have a sense of humor."So, I'm asking for your not so fun stories, ...
Better to not let that bubble get bad enough to burst!How about this to burst your bubble: you may experience using your first feminie hygene pad ... for bad blisters on the ball of your feet.
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