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yahoo we have a planI'm in.
I leave for the Camino Frances in 9 days. I must admit, some of the posts over the last few days have scared me a little, especially the one about the Hospitalero who threw the packs down on the floor and yelled "leave, leave!!" I am scared that some of the Camino veterans might have posted rave reviews of the Camino, just so we "newbies" will go and suffer as they have suffered. (Just kidding!) The other one that scared me was someone posted something about "There will be pain, and there will be plenty of time to think about it"I feel I am ready for the refining fire of the Camino and will come out of this stronger and more confident, with some of my sharp edges burnished away. It's time to "put on my big girl panties" and get on with it.
Still time to chose a different route! Don't say you were not warnedI leave for the Camino Frances in 9 days. I must admit, some of the posts over the last few days have scared me a little, especially the one about the Hospitalero who threw the packs down on the floor and yelled "leave, leave!!" I am scared that some of the Camino veterans might have posted rave reviews of the Camino, just so we "newbies" will go and suffer as they have suffered. (Just kidding!) The other one that scared me was someone posted something about "There will be pain, and there will be plenty of time to think about it"I feel I am ready for the refining fire of the Camino and will come out of this stronger and more confident, with some of my sharp edges burnished away. It's time to "put on my big girl panties" and get on with it.
A phrase very fitting in this context, Joodle. Don't forget that you will need to "move in measure, like a dancer"!(I feel I am)... ready for the refining fire of the Camino
Poor you, do you really have to go?I hated the Camino last year and I am most definitely not setting off again next Friday
Poor you, do you really have to go?
You nearly had me going Jennie and wondered what I'd gotten myself in for in August!! But I promise when I get home I'll tell everyone it was terrible regardless!!terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
I am sitting in Cizur Menor as I write this. Life is bloody awful. I think the sun might burn my nose if I don't turn around. Everyone here is speaking Spanish! You would not believe how many Spaniards are here!
Pamplona had so many cafes I think I may have even gained weight on this first bit.
For a while there I was worried that we might not find beds at night but now I am in an alburgue that has turtles in a pond out back. Now I worry one might bite my toes off while I sleep tonight.
You really don't want to do this. I mean , really, who walks anywhere these days? No one that's who and there's a reason for that!
Were you on the right path?terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
Yes. When I was preparing for my first Camino, my neighbor texted me the following after I experienced moments of uncertainty: " Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." I believe there is a lot of truth in that. And stepping out of our comfort zone, as we all are doing, probably should be accompanied by a little fear, to make us more alert, more aware...as we enter the Camino...and experience the many opportunities for personal/spiritual growth through the daily challenges each of us face...physical/mental/spiritual. (The 3-stages of the Camino as I once read.) This is a noble undertaking. And we become bonded in good-will with our fellow "peregrinos" with our first step.Do you know, your post struck a chord with me....I feel scared too! (And it is not my first camino!)
All this talk of bed bugs and no room at the inn and now even unpleasant hospitaleros....
Just don't worry, take it as it comes, you may love it or maybe hate it....At least you will have tried it.
I wish you a very good camino.
Dominique
You really don't want to do this. I mean , really, who walks anywhere these days? No one that's who and there's a reason for that!
I always get a chuckle of out that scene.What, you can do this on a bike? Why the hell are we walking? Oh that's ridiculous man.
That's wonderful! Bask in the calm, soothing comforts of home for as long as you possibly can. Why subject yourself needlessly to the never ending taxing adventures of the Camino.....I'm definitely not going back again (for at least five or six months).
This is the post that reminds me why I carried a tent and sleeping mat. I think more pilgrims would do well to consider the implications of sleeping outside. It's so pleasant waking up to a dawn chorus of birds and watching the day get lighter from inside my sleeping bag. And yes, even when it's raining. It's a drag but what a gift!!!Still time to chose a different route! Don't say you were not warned. As I type this paet of me is kidding, the other will never be found on the Frances again other than in winter. But as they say, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger, and lucky you, you don't have the good old days when we used to walk to school barefoot in 12 inches of snow for 2 miles a day, and back to compare yojr experience to . And you have learned her not to put your bag on beds, not to think the chair by the bed is for you to hog with your bag, not to take long showers, not to get out of bed when it's still dark out, not to flash your headlamp in peoplés faces, to turn off your cell and it's alarm clock, not to use plastic bags for packing in the morning, to clean the kitchen and bathroom sinks when you are done with them, to use or not use permethryn not to carry bed bugs... Sorry, I am out of breath .
You may be crazy to be doing this, like all of us addicts, but it has nothing to do with doing it on your own. Take your time, don't push your body, enjoy every step and you will be just fine. And yes, you will be planning your next Camino a few weeks after getting back home. Ultreia!I lay awake last night until 3 am thinking about my upcoming trip. Am I taking the right shoes, do I really need those heavier trekking sandals, or should I just take my light flip flops? question after question in my mind. Do you ever feel ready?? Is this going to be a big mistake?? Will I have enough strength of character to stick it out when the going gets rough?
“It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard everyone would do it. The hard is what
makes it great.” From the movie "A League of Their Own", I'm really hoping this is true about the Camino de Santiago. People keep telling me that I'm crazy for doing this on my own, but my husband and children who know me the best, don't say that. they are proud of me and tell me I can do it. I choose to believe them.
I wish I could say this is a funny thread but is actually very realistic. So very much that I began to hate the Caminos, the nature, colors, language, people, food, it's just ghastly beyond belief. Therefore I decided to go to Spain once more and stomp fiercly on that Spanish soil over and over and over again and mercilessly hurt that damn dirt tracks with all of my 95 kilos and 10 kilos backpack. And with every step I want to punish it even more with my walking poles until I get to the Atlantic.
What a satisfaction that will be
3. Others snoring is often an issue. I have found that if you look like me, obese, over 60 etc, you can cut down on others snoring by walking around the albergue naked just before lights out. The nightmares will keep them awake all night.
Make sure they are quick dry big girl panties!I leave for the Camino Frances in 9 days. I must admit, some of the posts over the last few days have scared me a little, especially the one about the Hospitalero who threw the packs down on the floor and yelled "leave, leave!!" I am scared that some of the Camino veterans might have posted rave reviews of the Camino, just so we "newbies" will go and suffer as they have suffered. (Just kidding!) The other one that scared me was someone posted something about "There will be pain, and there will be plenty of time to think about it"I feel I am ready for the refining fire of the Camino and will come out of this stronger and more confident, with some of my sharp edges burnished away. It's time to "put on my big girl panties" and get on with it.
Yep.Am on the Frances route at Leon this very moment. I have one blister which is under control and a nagging pain in my left thigh. The gap between my big toe and its neighbour feels odd due to use of flip-flops when not actually hiking. I am one of the better pilgrims health wise. I have passed many people that are walking like cripples and one walking partner ( a girl in her early20s) has already quit with a burst knee. As has already been reported another pilgrim collapsed and died en route. There are many people that fall by the way side.
I shared a coffee with a lovely young girl from Surrey who said she was considering quitting because although she liked walking doing it constantly was no joy. She wasn't too keen on being turfed out of the Albergues every morning by 8 o'clock either.
Even using industrial standard earplugs And my buff to deaden the noise generated by theunbelievable number of snorers getting a good nights sleep is a real achievement.
Every word I have written is true. Other Camino veterans will verify my experiences.
Still wanna do it?
Garith...yup still want to try it! It calls for me and yet I am not quite sure why.Am on the Frances route at Leon this very moment. I have one blister which is under control and a nagging pain in my left thigh. The gap between my big toe and its neighbour feels odd due to use of flip-flops when not actually hiking. I am one of the better pilgrims health wise. I have passed many people that are walking like cripples and one walking partner ( a girl in her early20s) has already quit with a burst knee. As has already been reported another pilgrim collapsed and died en route. There are many people that fall by the way side.
I shared a coffee with a lovely young girl from Surrey who said she was considering quitting because although she liked walking doing it constantly was no joy. She wasn't too keen on being turfed out of the Albergues every morning by 8 o'clock either.
Even using industrial standard earplugs And my buff to deaden the noise generated by theunbelievable number of snorers getting a good nights sleep is a real achievement.
Every word I have written is true. Other Camino veterans will verify my experiences.
Still wanna do it?
And all the food along the way is terrible and drinking the inexpensive Vino Tinto in the sun is not very nice at all.
I don't want to go please jesus don't make me go please God forgive me I am a sinnerThe wine's awful in Spain. So is the cider. Oh, and the Orujo...Nasty stuff. Can't even get proper squeezed orange juice.
And don't get me started on the food!
To remind me how bad it all is, I have to go back and try it again. And again.
At last one smart human being showed up!!!I've done a fair amount of traveling the last few years, and my hairdresser has been a bit envious.
Then I told her that I was going to walk 500 miles across northern Spain, carrying a backpack and sleeping in hostels with snoring strangers. She decided that her life was just fine!
I wondered why so many more people walked the Caminos this year compared to last year.The wine's awful in Spain. So is the cider. Oh, and the Orujo...Nasty stuff. Can't even get proper squeezed orange juice.
And don't get me started on the food!To remind me how bad it all is, I have to go back and try it again. And again.
Too late. It was working until people asked-"Then why do you talk about it all the time and why are you going back next week?"terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
And the wild dogs! The boring churches and crumbly old ruins! The strange foreign Spanish food! The endless sky on the meseta! The Pyrenean vultures!
you need to read from the top !!Did you think it would be a walk in the park ? What's your problem ?
... Oh, yes, Camino Frances. Old hat. No-one does it anymore its too busy....
I wanted to change my user-name to eversosmugwrinklycaminogit but Ivar wouldn't let me, and anyway The Beloved said that there is no need 'cos everyone else calls me that anyway... So, what was I going to say? Oh, yes, Camino Frances. Old hat. No-one does it anymore its too busy. Everyone used to flock there for the peace and solitude but actually the M25 is better 'cos the cafes come at more regular intervals and the foods better in Mexico City even though you can't taste it because of the smog. There are too many Camino books already so the best thing to do is walk to the Library and write a book about that... Any way, as I was saying, when I walked it you were only allowed one leg and you had to hop the last 100 leagues carrying a gargoyle for the Cathedral but of course that was before building Cathedrals got popular and you could still find the odd gargoyle if you knew where to look. But I don't mind helping out the youngsters if they want helping out as long as they appreciate that... What was the question? Oh yes, toilet paper. No need to bring it; there's loads behind every bush,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Wow, looks amazing.And what's all this talk about reconquista? Whole place is a warzone as you can see from my photos from Hospital de Orbigo.
Wow...is it still safe to go!!And what's all this talk about reconquista? Whole place is a warzone as you can see from my photos from Hospital de Orbigo.
Wow...is it still safe to go!!
Yes... with every beat of my heart and breath in my lungs.......Every word I have written is true. Other Camino veterans will verify my experiences.
Still wanna do it?
terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
Maybe get your head examined......Yes... with every beat of my heart and breath in my lungs....
No, no, no, they all lie to you!!!Yes... with every beat of my heart and breath in my lungs....
but remember dont tell anyone,,I hated the Camino last year and I am most definitely not setting off again next Friday
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! ! !!! Stop, I'm trying to poop behind a bush.Ha ha ha snort, snort!!I wanted to change my user-name to eversosmugwrinklycaminogit but Ivar wouldn't let me, and anyway The Beloved said that there is no need 'cos everyone else calls me that anyway... So, what was I going to say? Oh, yes, Camino Frances. Old hat. No-one does it anymore its too busy. Everyone used to flock there for the peace and solitude but actually the M25 is better 'cos the cafes come at more regular intervals and the foods better in Mexico City even though you can't taste it because of the smog. There are too many Camino books already so the best thing to do is walk to the Library and write a book about that... Any way, as I was saying, when I walked it you were only allowed one leg and you had to hop the last 100 leagues carrying a gargoyle for the Cathedral but of course that was before building Cathedrals got popular and you could still find the odd gargoyle if you knew where to look. But I don't mind helping out the youngsters if they want helping out as long as they appreciate that... What was the question? Oh yes, toilet paper. No need to bring it; there's loads behind every bush,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I walked last year June 11 for 36 days. I didn't book ahead except Orisson and Santiago first day and switched up second day with no problem. I had one rude place and it was the monastery in Sahagun. Never once was I disappointed as I felt I was where I was meant to be!!!!Do you know, your post struck a chord with me....I feel scared too! (And it is not my first camino!)
All this talk of bed bugs and no room at the inn and now even unpleasant hospitaleros....
Just don't worry, take it as it comes, you may love it or maybe hate it....At least you will have tried it.
I wish you a very good camino.
Dominique
It's the Flower Pot Men!!!!!!!!!That was you?!!!
I snorted with laughter when I read that. Thank you. Sadly the Way is full of people with no sense of humour. I absolutely don't want to suffer the agonies again.
Aha! A Costa Rican statistician!I wondered why so many more people walked the Caminos this year compared to last year.Not withstanding so many grumblings.
Look at the figures: Pilgrim arrivals in Santiago between 01.01.2016 and 30.04.2016 were 29’203, up 14% (3’640) compared to the same period in 2015 (25’563). The largest increases, compared to last year’s numbers, were on the Portugués, the Via de la Plata (25%), the Inglés (29%) and the Primitivo (7%). Amazingly few people had walked the Camino de Invierno (Ponferrada – Santiago).
Particularly the Camino Portugués has gained a significant 25% compared to last year, with 6’061 pilgrims of whom 34% had started in Oporto, 23% in Tui, 16% in Valença, 4% in Lisbon and the remainder from various places between Oporto and Valença do Minho.
The Camino Francés pilgrim numbers increased by 11% and represent 64% of all arrivals. Main increases, compared to 2015, were the pilgrims who had started from Sarria (+15%), Saint Jean Pied de Port (+17%) and León (23%). But less people started from O’Cebreiro, compared to the same period last year (-17%).
As far as nationalities were concerned, the Spanish increased by 4%, compared to 25% of foreigners. The latter, in order of importance, came from Germany, Portugal, Correa, the UK and the USA. The overall balance now is 45% Spanish and 55% foreigners. Last year it was 50/50.Ultreya!
Wrong! A Camino addictAha! A Costa Rican statistician!
terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
I have walked it twice and it always exceeded my expectationsI leave for the Camino Frances in 9 days. I must admit, some of the posts over the last few days have scared me a little, especially the one about the Hospitalero who threw the packs down on the floor and yelled "leave, leave!!" I am scared that some of the Camino veterans might have posted rave reviews of the Camino, just so we "newbies" will go and suffer as they have suffered. (Just kidding!) The other one that scared me was someone posted something about "There will be pain, and there will be plenty of time to think about it"I feel I am ready for the refining fire of the Camino and will come out of this stronger and more confident, with some of my sharp edges burnished away. It's time to "put on my big girl panties" and get on with it.
I leave for the Camino Frances in 9 days. I must admit, some of the posts over the last few days have scared me a little, especially the one about the Hospitalero who threw the packs down on the floor and yelled "leave, leave!!" I am scared that some of the Camino veterans might have posted rave reviews of the Camino, just so we "newbies" will go and suffer as they have suffered. (Just kidding!) The other one that scared me was someone posted something about "There will be pain, and there will be plenty of time to think about it"I feel I am ready for the refining fire of the Camino and will come out of this stronger and more confident, with some of my sharp edges burnished away. It's time to "put on my big girl panties" and get on with it.
A sight for sore eyes! Look at all those plastic bags! Rustle....... rustle...... rustle.........AView attachment 25743How can we forget about the poor quiet and scantily clad cyclists? Especially when they arrive in hordes!
It's all very much tongue in cheek. (Didn't you read the first post?)I'm sorry. I can't really understand if a lot of people are joking or what.
I'm about to start my very first Camino next week. First I arrive to Paris for a couple of nights then I will take a trip to Saint Jean pied and begin my Camino from there. All by myself by the way...
I know it's going to me literally a Pain in many ways, but here are a lot of complaints about it. Never a less a lot did the Camino more than once.
I'm not expecting the great thing. Or adventure. Just I want to have the experience. If I meet some people good. If I have bad or worse days so be it.
But... It's like this, left the comfort zone behind for a month or so, and taste a very different aspect of traveling. Not all the people can have this or take the risk.
I'm very happy to be one of you who take the initiative and start walking. After all, with one step at the time all the greatest things happened on the history of travels.
So... Have a great weekend and
Burn Camino!
Well saidStill time to chose a different route! Don't say you were not warned. As I type this paet of me is kidding, the other will never be found on the Frances again other than in winter. But as they say, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger, and lucky you, you don't have the good old days when we used to walk to school barefoot in 12 inches of snow for 2 miles a day, and back to compare yojr experience to . And you have learned her not to put your bag on beds, not to think the chair by the bed is for you to hog with your bag, not to take long showers, not to get out of bed when it's still dark out, not to flash your headlamp in peoplés faces, to turn off your cell and it's alarm clock, not to use plastic bags for packing in the morning, to clean the kitchen and bathroom sinks when you are done with them, to use or not use permethryn not to carry bed bugs... Sorry, I am out of breath .
terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
terrible place the camino frances, just the worst people,awful food,no views to mention, thats my plan to stem the flow and help prevent the need to prebook a bed.,,simple, really bear with me ! instead of coming home raving about the wonderful views ,amazing people that changed your life and the camino ,camino ,camino that we all do ,spread the word that its a dreadful place and DO NOT tell anybody that you will go back at the first chance you get !and DO NOT tell them that you still have your bag half packed just in case?who is on board ? it might not be too late,,,,
I'm sorry. I can't really understand if a lot of people are joking or what.
Ivar sends out an email each week on the most popular threads for the week. Been a while since I logged on. The top thread was "dreadful walk, awful people". The first words that leapt to mind was oh sh..t and other more choice words followed. I have yet to do my camino - doing it in the fall and all I could think was this person really is having a horrible time. What the hell am I doing? IS it too late to cancel my flight get my money back, change my trip to lie on a beach somewhere drinking rum drinks... I read the post and the others that followed and my fear was replaced by laughter, my unease with courage and determination. Reading posts from folks about being called, not once, twice , thrice and in some cases more to subject themselves to repeated pain, inconsiderate people etc. had me laughing again. Because I am being called too. It is quite possible we may all be called ...called stupid by some. But I am looking forward to joining the club. I hope... (ok so I have a little trepidation left as doing this on my own)
So you’re thinking of walking the Camino? Think again. Dirt everywhere, unrepentant loud snorers, churches without seat cushions, scratches from weeds while squatting in the bushes, too many kinds of olives, no toilet paper (sometimes), etc.
What an awful experience…I’ll be adding to this list after I get back from my fourth Camino this summer…
AView attachment 25743How can we forget about the poor quiet and scantily clad cyclists? Especially when they arrive in hordes!
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