- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francese 2002, Cami San Jaume 2018, Norte 2023
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It isn't necessary (or necessarily true) to speak for your compatriots at all!
TouchéI happily comment on my compatriots as they are fearless but courteous in commenting back.
And that is why we form camino groups when we get home. We tell ourselves we want to help others who are interested in the camino. And we do - but also - we really want to be able to talk about the camino to others who are interested and will listen. Ha haI'm not a Camino Snob. I'm so much better... (God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are... Lk 18:11).
What I am is a Camino Bore. Friends and relatives head for the hills whenever I say "You know, on my last trip to Spain...."
So true.The Camino is one of those instances where: " You had to be there". Many on this forum have admitted to being a "Camino Bore". I'm guilty!I had to co-found a chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino in order to have a fresh group of people tell my Camino stories to.
And that is why we form camino groups when we get home. We tell ourselves we want to help others who are interested in the camino. And we do - but also - we really want to be able to talk about the camino to others who are interested and will listen. Ha ha
well, I guess I am guilty of taking days rest and at times get a private room, who cares it's my Camino and love it.Hi everyone,
This week I was introduced to the term "Camino Snob" by a friend's colleague who has done the Camino three times. He warned me about people who may judge someone because they are not doing the whole 800km of the Camino Frances or who might be sending their bags ahead or who might take a few days along the route to rest a while and stay in a hotel etc etc. I was very surprised and a little perturbed when he mentioned this to me. Does such a thing exist?
Also I think many areas of Europe have worn a version of the kilt. It has come to be a Scottish symbol now, but more because that is where it most recently became a “thing”. I believe that unbifurcated garments have been around since time immemorial.This point of view annoys me to no end as a Canadian who has walked the Camino; or parts thereof, on five occasions, wearing a kilt. I even had a women advise me that I had better move along before her husband arrived as they had "heard" of me and as I had no right to the kilt, he was threatening to "rip it off me".
I spoke to both of them and advised that I had traced my family, from parents, back to 16th century Scotland. My question as to what was the statute of limitations on being proud of ones heritage, seemed to stump them.
As a country of immigrants, we see a variety of "national dress" at various festivals throughout the year. Yes my country's original inhabitants have traditional dress. However, their pre-colonial attire would make for an uncomfortable walk I suspect.
I have to admit I felt a bit snobbish after walking from SJPP to Santiago and beyond to Finesterre and Muxia carrying the entire time. But then I recalled reading in John Brierley's book to beware of those feelings: we are not in a position as pilgrims to judge other pilgrims. The snobbish feelings faded away - and fast!There are so many people walking nowadays that I'm sure you will find EVERYTHING on the caminos. Including snobs - I have myself encountered a man who thought I couldn't be a real pilgrim since I didn't wear heavy boots.
Live and let live, say I.
Also I think many areas of Europe have worn a version of the kilt. It has come to be a Scottish symbol now, but more because that is where it most recently became a “thing”. I believe that unbifurcated garments have been around since time immemorial.
i am à Canadian who really wants to walk the Camino kilted. Grandmother of Scottish decent—should someone ask—but I find the kilt a really practical piece of clothing: warm when weather is cold, and cool when weather is warm. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. (Cameron Hunting Weathered, 16oz...haha)
Reg
I think that the saddest part of this is that the 'Camino' is not just one route, one way to get to Santiago de Compostela. I have heard the well-meaning pilgrim state that the real camino was the Camino Francés. How you walk, where you walk, is your journey. These days my walk may not take me to Santiago. Am I less on pilgrimage? I don't think so.What other people think is outside your control and speaks to who they are not who you are. To always question yourself is healthy - to let others control what you think of yourself is not.
In recent years my walks have taken me to Santiago, Canterbury, Holywell, Penrhys, Nidaros, Stiklestad, Ruminghem, Reims, Rome, Koyasan and Hongu amongst many other places. And in Spain alone I have walked on multiple routes to reach Santiago. Anyone who insists on ranking those in order of spiritual significance is not worth listening to in my opinion. I believe that what defines a journey as a pilgrimage is the person's intention. You know why you are walking and why you have chosen your particular destination. Why does the approval of others matter?These days my walk may not take me to Santiago. Am I less on pilgrimage? I don't think so.
Yes...I absolutely agree. Pilgrimage is 'intent', not ability or route. It is a journey of the heart...or spirit. Destination or distance have to take a back seat as it were.In recent years my walks have taken me to Santiago, Canterbury, Holywell, Penrhys, Nidaros, Stiklestad, Ruminghem, Reims, Rome, Koyasan and Hongu amongst many other places. And in Spain alone I have walked on multiple routes to reach Santiago. Anyone who insists on ranking those in order of spiritual significance is not worth listening to in my opinion. I believe that what defines a walk as a pilgrimage is the walker's intention. You know why you are walking and why you have chosen your particular destination. Why does the approval of others matter?
I agree about 50%! For me the destination is important in its own right. It gives a theme and a focus to the journey which a stroll in pleasant countryside by itself would lack. To some extent I do believe in the idea of the genius loci and the significance of relics (even if I most often doubt their authenticityDestination or distance have to take a back seat as it were.
Is there something between 'being' and 'becoming' and is it 'I am'. The Camino is life and life is the Camino and you take on a different set off eyes every time you immerse yourself in the Camino fantasy however temporal and despite how many hippies and inspite of yups its all just an illusion until you reach Finisterre and ask yourself 'who is your master'is the Camino a fantasy. temporal out of context hippies and yups?
I'm not a Camino Snob. I'm so much better than that... (God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are... Lk 18:11).
What I am is a Camino Bore. Friends and relatives head for the hills whenever I say "You know, on my last trip to Spain...."
A "pilgrim" arrived at my house the other day
Oh, good."Selfish people like you are ruining the camino," he said.
A "pilgrim" arrived at my house the other day and asked for a stamp on his credential. I said sure, brought him into the kitchen, etc., stamped his form. Then he pulled out a dozen little booklets, and asked for stamps on those, too.
I said No. One pilgrim, one credential, one stamp.
He got very angry with me. "Those are gifts! For my friends! It's a little project!" he said.
"When they come here themselves, I'll give them each a stamp," I said.
"Selfish people like you are ruining the camino," he said.
"Hit the road," I told him.
Hi everyone,
This week I was introduced to the term "Camino Snob" by a friend's colleague who has done the Camino three times. He warned me about people who may judge someone because they are not doing the whole 800km of the Camino Frances or who might be sending their bags ahead or who might take a few days along the route to rest a while and stay in a hotel etc etc. I was very surprised and a little perturbed when he mentioned this to me. Does such a thing exist?
what whole 800km lol? My friend lives in Leon so I guess she only did the the Cami and no "no" because it has to be 800km? I believe it's not the distance, it's the heart and the spirit.
What amuses me with people who take issue with you for staying in private accommodation is the fact that albergues were originally set up to accommodate pilgrims who could not afford private accommodation, those who could were and are supposed to use hotels, hostals, casa rural's and private albergues but is has become folklore that everyone has to stay in albergues or they are not doing their Camino properly, a bit like having to walk the Napoleon Route for an authentic Camino when in fact the Valcarlos Route was the original one.
If you should want to try an albergue at some point in your camino (no pressure!) to see what it is like, but still avoid dormitories, it might be worth mentioning that a number of albergue offer private rooms in addition to dormitories.With slight apologies for resurrecting an older thread, I wanted to thank you for this comment. We are still in the "should we or shouldn't we?" phase of considering the Camino, and I was beginning to wonder if perhaps not staying in the albergues would somehow diminish our overall experience and make it "less than", in spite of the insistence of many who say it's perfectly acceptable. Neither of us has any desire to sleep dormitory-style, particularly after reading a number of things indicating that those who snore like freight trains are often vilified and I don't want my husband - the freight train - to experience that. To have it set out before me like this, to know that we would actually be following original accommodation protocol, reignites something in me that was starting to waver with uncertainty. Thank you. And I clearly need to read an excellent book or three on the history of the Camino, not merely the personal accounts which are in their own right enthralling.
If you should want to try an albergue at some point in your camino (no pressure!) to see what it is like, but still avoid dormitories, it might be worth mentioning that a number of albergue offer private rooms in addition to dormitories.
@JenibeeWith slight apologies for resurrecting an older thread, I wanted to thank you for this comment. We are still in the "should we or shouldn't we?" phase of considering the Camino, and I was beginning to wonder if perhaps not staying in the albergues would somehow diminish our overall experience and make it "less than", in spite of the insistence of many who say it's perfectly acceptable. Neither of us has any desire to sleep dormitory-style, particularly after reading a number of things indicating that those who snore like freight trains are often vilified and I don't want my husband - the freight train - to experience that. To have it set out before me like this, to know that we would actually be following original accommodation protocol, reignites something in me that was starting to waver with uncertainty. Thank you. And I clearly need to read an excellent book or three on the history of the Camino, not merely the personal accounts which are in their own right enthralling.
The great thing is that you don't have to make any decisions right now! As you learn more about the Camino your thoughts about how you want to do it will change. Right now, just absorb the knowledge of this forum, books, movies, etc. Learn about the different routes, gear choices, etc. Let it all marinate in your brain, and when you are ready you will know.Yes - thank you, David! I believe someone had mentioned this in another thread in which I expressed our accommodation concerns, and it is a good point for us to remember that there are some albergues with private rooms.
I had begun to feel a bit sheepish thinking that we were going to be among the "Sarria strollers" - and we may yet. While I do have a generous 6-week vacation allotment, my work is such that I'd be hard pressed to take it concurrently, and that will mean starting from a point closer to Santiago in the possible 3 week span we'd have. Again, it's surely just my own doubts and trepidations working their way out, but naturally I would want our Camino experience to be meaningful and not merely a trip across the pond to walk. I know, I know … I'm still grappling with all of this (the very idea of walking the Camino is less than a few weeks old in our minds), and appreciate being able to air some of it here as I soak up the abundance of helpful advice.
I'll take a 'snobbish' pride of a fellow Pennsylvanian!You can take the girl out of Pittsburgh, but you can never take Pittsburgh out of the girl.
@Jenibee
For an excellent, and classic, book on the Camino Frances, may I recommend The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook. by David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson. It is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. I have both, as I prefer to read it in paperback format and consult it on the camino in Kindle.
There is no reason why you and your husband should not make whatever sleeping arrangements suit you. But you might think about how you are to build relationships with other pilgrims, as this is a major part of going on camino for many pilgrims. I travel alone and preferably on less busy routes, but it is possible to share a table with other pilgrims at restaurant meals and this is a great way to get acquainted. Buen camino.
The great thing is that you don't have to make any decisions right now! As you learn more about the Camino your thoughts about how you want to do it will change. Right now, just absorb the knowledge of this forum, books, movies, etc. Learn about the different routes, gear choices, etc. Let it all marinate in your brain, and when you are ready you will know.
If you have three weeks to walk, I humbly suggest considering Leon as a starting point. That should still give you plenty of time, you'd get to experience wonderful Leon and its cathedral (the finest on the Camino, in my opinion), walk up to the Cruz de Ferro and deposit your stone, see the marvelous Crusader castle in Ponferrada, enjoy Villafraca del Bierzo and the village of O Cebreiro, and then Sarria and everything beyond. You will likely have time at the end which you can spend enjoying Santiago or walking on to Finisterre and/or Muxia.Yes - thank you, David! I believe someone had mentioned this in another thread in which I expressed our accommodation concerns, and it is a good point for us to remember that there are some albergues with private rooms.
I had begun to feel a bit sheepish thinking that we were going to be among the "Sarria strollers" - and we may yet. While I do have a generous 6-week vacation allotment, my work is such that I'd be hard pressed to take it concurrently, and that will mean starting from a point closer to Santiago in the possible 3 week span we'd have. Again, it's surely just my own doubts and trepidations working their way out, but naturally I would want our Camino experience to be meaningful and not merely a trip across the pond to walk. I know, I know … I'm still grappling with all of this (the very idea of walking the Camino is less than a few weeks old in our minds), and appreciate being able to air some of it here as I soak up the abundance of helpful advice.
Hahaha, Rebekah Scott is ruining the Camino!!!!!A "pilgrim" arrived at my house the other day and asked for a stamp on his credential. I said sure, brought him into the kitchen, etc., stamped his form. Then he pulled out a dozen little booklets, and asked for stamps on those, too.
I said No. One pilgrim, one credential, one stamp.
He got very angry with me. "Those are gifts! For my friends! It's a little project!" he said.
"When they come here themselves, I'll give them each a stamp," I said.
"Selfish people like you are ruining the camino," he said.
"Hit the road," I told him.
With slight apologies for resurrecting an older thread, I wanted to thank you for this comment. We are still in the "should we or shouldn't we?" phase of considering the Camino, and I was beginning to wonder if perhaps not staying in the albergues would somehow diminish our overall experience and make it "less than", in spite of the insistence of many who say it's perfectly acceptable. Neither of us has any desire to sleep dormitory-style, particularly after reading a number of things indicating that those who snore like freight trains are often vilified and I don't want my husband - the freight train - to experience that. To have it set out before me like this, to know that we would actually be following original accommodation protocol, reignites something in me that was starting to waver with uncertainty. Thank you. And I clearly need to read an excellent book or three on the history of the Camino, not merely the personal accounts which are in their own right enthralling.
Not at all. It's different, that's all. And as has been said already, many albergues have private rooms, so it's possible to get the best of both worlds.I was beginning to wonder if perhaps not staying in the albergues would somehow diminish our overall experience and make it "less than",
Sahagun, Leon, or Astorga would fit the bill nicely - where you start depends on how much time you want to take. Sahagun is the mid-point between St Jean Pied du Port and Santiago, a nice place to begin, as it allows you to get a taste of the meseta.that will mean starting from a point closer to Santiago in the possible 3 week span we'd have.
But that surely would be the ultimate in snobbery! You have to also do it on your knees and constantly flagellate with a cat o' nine tails.
Yes. I've read the book and loved it. Recommend it to all who are not just tourists, but pilgrims.@Jenibee the Gitlitz and Davidson book you have ordered is a treasure - although I could not sit and read it in one go. I tend to use it more as a resource, taking an e-version downloaded on my smartphone, so that when I see something along the route, I can look it up in the book. Fabulous for when you are standing outside a church or trying to read the meaning in a retablo. Another book that I just could not put down, sensational read, is by our own @Rebekah Scott - "A Furnace Full of God". Don't be misled, it is not religious, nor is it a Camino book as such, but a book about a year living beside the camino, in a small village on the meseta, with tales of all the people passing through, village life, natural observations, animals. Wonderful book. One of the ones I know I will come back to read and re-read.
Yes. I've read the book and loved it. Recommend it to all who are not just tourists, but pilgrims.
Whether we know it or not...We are all pilgrims
@Jenibee
For an excellent, and classic, book on the Camino Frances, may I recommend The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook. by David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson. It is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. I have both, as I prefer to read it in paperback format and consult it on the camino in Kindle.
@Jenibee the Gitlitz and Davidson book you have ordered is a treasure - although I could not sit and read it in one go. I tend to use it more as a resource, taking an e-version downloaded on my smartphone, so that when I see something along the route, I can look it up in the book.
There is no reason why you and your husband should not make whatever sleeping arrangements suit you. But you might think about how you are to build relationships with other pilgrims, as this is a major part of going on camino for many pilgrims. I travel alone and preferably on less busy routes, but it is possible to share a table with other pilgrims at restaurant meals and this is a great way to get acquainted. Buen camino.
Am I correct in assuming that this book pertains only to the Camino Francés?
Whether we know it or not...
This thread reminds me of a sad story from a lovely woman I walked with for a while in 2014. She told me on her first night on the Camino she had spread the contents of her pack on her bed and was sorting through them when a rampant busy-body came over and announced she had walked the Camino many times. She then proceeded to criticise various items. "You don't need that, that's too heavy, you shouldn't have brought this item, you have too many of this, your pack is far too heavy". I don't know whether it was snobbery or just being a know it all, but the woman probably walked away with a feeling of great superiority.
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