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Nope Jill, I'm exactly the same!At home, my computer and I are inseparable. My main interest involves doing a lot of online research; and, of course, I check into the forum every so often. I email my friends and stay in touch with them. If the internet connection goes off it’s panic stations until I can get online again.
So why is it, when I’m on a camino, I do not miss my computer, or the internet, for one single moment? I am not in the least bit interested in checking into the forum (you can all play quite nicely without me), or writing a blog (who cares?), or reviewing this place or that place.
This is beginning to worry me a little bit. Should I be worried? Who is the real me? When I am at home on my computer, or disconnected while on a camino?
I send a text to my husband every day or so, to let him know I am all right. Every café/bar has a TV, so I see what’s going on in the world.
I DO love my smartphone; wouldn’t go anywhere without it. It’s my camera, my Kindle, my Spanish/English dictionary, my flashlight, my maps, AND my wifi: like sending a WhatsApp to a camino buddy.
I just don’t feel the need to be “connected” all the time on a camino. Am I the only one?
Jill
At home, my computer and I are inseparable. My main interest involves doing a lot of online research; and, of course, I check into the forum every so often. I email my friends and stay in touch with them. If the internet connection goes off it’s panic stations until I can get online again.
So why is it, when I’m on a camino, I do not miss my computer, or the internet, for one single moment? I am not in the least bit interested in checking into the forum (you can all play quite nicely without me), or writing a blog (who cares?), or reviewing this place or that place.
This is beginning to worry me a little bit. Should I be worried? Who is the real me? When I am at home on my computer, or disconnected while on a camino?
I send a text to my husband every day or so, to let him know I am all right. Every café/bar has a TV, so I see what’s going on in the world.
I DO love my smartphone; wouldn’t go anywhere without it. It’s my camera, my Kindle, my Spanish/English dictionary, my flashlight, my maps, AND my wifi: like sending a WhatsApp to a camino buddy.
I just don’t feel the need to be “connected” all the time on a camino. Am I the only one?
Jill
At home, my computer and I are inseparable. My main interest involves doing a lot of online research; and, of course, I check into the forum every so often. I email my friends and stay in touch with them. If the internet connection goes off it’s panic stations until I can get online again.
So why is it, when I’m on a camino, I do not miss my computer, or the internet, for one single moment? I am not in the least bit interested in checking into the forum (you can all play quite nicely without me), or writing a blog (who cares?), or reviewing this place or that place.
This is beginning to worry me a little bit. Should I be worried? Who is the real me? When I am at home on my computer, or disconnected while on a camino?
I send a text to my husband every day or so, to let him know I am all right. Every café/bar has a TV, so I see what’s going on in the world.
I DO love my smartphone; wouldn’t go anywhere without it. It’s my camera, my Kindle, my Spanish/English dictionary, my flashlight, my maps, AND my wifi: like sending a WhatsApp to a camino buddy.
I just don’t feel the need to be “connected” all the time on a camino. Am I the only one?
Jill
No, Jill--there may be many of us in the same boat! You describe my experience pretty well. I use technology to write, research, connect, plan, and inform myself--often coming on the forum briefly during the day when another process grinds away...but when I walk mostly I just want to walk and a thrilled t leave it all behind.I just don’t feel the need to be “connected” all the time on a camino. Am I the only one?
Both!Who is the real me? When I am at home on my computer, or disconnected while on a camino?
The people who do this (and then sit there absorbed in their tiny screen rather than interacting with their fellow pilgrims) are the ones who give technology a bad name.I thought it silly that pilgrims would storm into a cafe and ask as a first;" whats the wifi password !??." - without any greeting, like someone was on fire
If you're asking the question, @Stivandrer, you probably won't have anything to worry about. It's the people who don't wonder about device addiction who are more likely to end up addicted.I am curious if I will go techno-sober again this time on the Camino. I hope so
Disconnected, you say??It’s my camera, my Kindle, my Spanish/English dictionary, my flashlight, my maps, AND my wifi: like sending a WhatsApp to a camino buddy.
I'd say the contrary... I was shocked and saddened last year to see how many people were on their phone. Couldn't even sit down for a 5-min break without waving the **** thing! I stopped counting times when I sat in silence waiting for everyone to drop their phone.Fortunately they are a very small minority.
Agreed.I also spend a lot of time on my computer when home and I have a old dumb-phone. I take it on the Camino, to give me the time and wake me up. It's completely shut and away during the day. I often think of letting it behind next time... there are so many ways to get by without it! How were people doing before wifi, phones and stuffs? They were connected with each other all the time. Maybe it's partly why we don't need electronics so much on the Camino?
Disconnected, you say??
I'd say the contrary... I was shocked and saddened last year to see how many people were on their phone. Couldn't even sit down for a 5-min break without waving the **** thing! I stopped counting times when I sat in silence waiting for everyone to drop their phone.Since we entered the Wifi area, accommodations make it a selling point. I personally love the ones who have a sign saying they don't have it because they want to talk to people. (doesn't it already say something???)
I guess it's hard to realize because it's part of our daily life, but electronics have changed the way we live so much! The Camino itself has changed so much on that particular point in the past 4 years... It's life moving on, but I find it takes away a bit of the Way's Spirit.
Everyone does what s-he wants and I'm not trying to say what people should or shouldn't do, but again, what we all do together makes a difference. Everyone choosing to be able to use their phone at all time leaves the Way to be just another common place... and leaves me to wait for you guys to check your virtual life to be able to meet you live!
Disconnected, you say??
I stopped counting times when I sat in silence waiting for everyone to drop their phone.Since we entered the Wifi area, accommodations make it a selling point. I personally love the ones who have a sign saying they don't have it because they want to talk to people. (doesn't it already say something???)
My experience has been in early spring, and perhaps there's a different demographic out there at that time of year. Three were some super-connected people but not so many. That said, I do agree with what you say about how technology has changed the Camino culture. We had a slightly fiery exchange about this not long ago. It's a 'hot button' that brings out big opinions and defensiveness.I find it takes away a bit of the Way's Spirit.
I'm pretty sure I'd not intrude by doing that to someone--whether they are on a device or reading a book. Unless there were no-where else to sit. Then I'd ask.If you see me on the camino, and I have my face buried in my device, it’s probably because I’m reading a Kindle book . I will quickly put it away if you sit down beside me .
Well, it's that I take the word "connected" in a wider way, not just connected to the Internet. Your answer to my comment made me more aware about this fact: Thank you!But, umm, I don’t understand your comment
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