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Agreed. I should have been clear that I'm speaking of the CF, where a lot of planning simply isn't needed. Just show up, follow the arrows, and stop to eat when hungry. It's literally that easy.Haha... so many of us can relate! For me - the biggest think I don't do anymore is watch people's youtube videos. I had seen all of the cool sites of the CF so many times before I did my hike - there were almost no cool surpises.
I will add... the amount of "overplanning" needed varies per route. I don't think the more popular routes require a lot of planning. But - I am most certainly glad I "overplanned" my VF and would do it again and other "less popular" routes - especially those with less infrastructure.
That´s what we wanted to hear. Don´t beat yourself up about the expectations: they were created by other people and the only mistake you made was to trust other people. That´s not a bad mistake to make. Perhaps your next camino will be a less-followed route. If that is so, your experience and planning will stand you in good stead and as they are little written about you won´t have so many expectations. I know what you mean about the Cruz de Ferro. If it is any consolation, I have heard dark rumours that so much stuff is left there every year, the local council, at considerable trouble and expense, has to send in an mechanical digger and truck to get rid of it all. BTW, your ´slight OCD´ sounds well within normal parameters. Stay with us. Buen camino.And when I walk the next one
Not to take this thread in another direction, but I was wondering about that same thing. Although the cross sits on top of a small hill, the number of small stones at the foot of the cross seems to be much smaller than what you'd expect from thousands (millions?) of pilgrims over the years leaving stones there. I thought to myself that they must haul the stones away on a regular basis, which kinda detracts from the whole spiritual nature of the place. I understand the logistical reasons for removing the stones, but it would be pretty cool if all the stones that have been left there over all the years were still in place.I know what you mean about the Cruz de Ferro. If it is any consolation, I have heard dark rumours that so much stuff is left there every year, the local council, at considerable trouble and expense, has to send in an mechanical digger and truck to get rid of it all.
Simple solution, let´s start a new one: ´Cruz de Ferro, what happens to all those stones?´ I´ll check first to make sure we haven´t already got one.Not to take this thread in another direction,
Although the harsh reality of what happens to all those stones might be a bit of a spoiler for some people who find the experience of leaving a stone there to be very emotional or spiritual.Simple solution, let´s start a new one: ´Cruz de Ferro, what happens to all those stones?´ I´ll check first to make sure we haven´t already got one.
True.Although the harsh reality of what happens to all those stones might be a bit of a spoiler for some people who find the experience of leaving a stone there to be very emotional or spiritual.
True. So I put a warning at the beginning, but the thread is up now. Be interesting to see what people say.Although the harsh reality of what happens to all those stones might be a bit of a spoiler for some people who find the experience of leaving a stone there to be very emotional or spiritual.
Couldn't agree more and a policy I have adhered to over many years !I first heard about the camino about 3 years ago, just as the pandemic hit. As I’ve posted here previously, I spent an inordinate number of hours over the past three years watching youtube videos and reading blogs and books about the camino. I obsessed over all of the minutia – partly because I have a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder, and partly because I love planning trips.
So despite many comments from others warning me of the dangers of having my expectations set by watching the experiences of other pilgrims, I continued to do so, on an almost daily basis.
Now that I’ve walked the CF and returned home about a week ago, do I regret the excessive planning and research that I did?
No, and yes.
Watching youtube videos and reading blogs helped carry me though a difficult time during the pandemic. Walking a camino became the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It was what I’d think about as I got ready for work in the morning, and when I went to sleep at night. So in that respect I don’t regret all the time I spent vicariously walking caminos with others, because those were happy hours. And planning became my hobby, as did going for long training hikes, so that was positive.
That said, if I’m honest with myself I’d have to admit that, despite my efforts to avoid doing so, expectations were inevitably set before I left home. I read too many comments – on this site and others – about the various ups and downs pilgrims encounter, and in particular about the emotional aspects of walking a camino. And although I did my best to block those thoughts out, they were there in the background, causing me to sometimes question my own journey, and how I was dealing with things, and whether or not I was “failing” at my camino…
One example of this was at the Cruz de Ferro. Because so much has been published about this iconic stop along the CF I ended up consuming way too much information before leaving home. As a result, when the day came that I found myself at the foot of Cruz de Ferro I ended up spending about half an hour there watching the pilgrims, and then leaving with my stone still in my pocket. Not sure why, but the whole experience just felt too prescriptive, like there was a specific set of things I was supposed to do there, and a specific way I should be feeling, and it didn’t feel authentic to me at that moment. I ended up placing my rock many days later at a time and place that felt appropriate to me.
So did I learn any lessons about over-preparing to walk a camino? I hope so. And when I walk the next one I’m going to make a concerted effort to not research it to death before I leave. That’s going to be difficult, because as I said I love the planning and anticipation.
My advice to others planning their first camino – spend time planning which backpack and shoes are best for you, and of course how to get to SJPDP (), but that’s all. Let everything be a surprise, and most importantly don't bring any expectations. Don’t expect the good, the bad or the ugly. Let everything be a surprise, and then deal with those surprises authentically.
I hope people read this.My advice to others planning their first camino – spend time planning which backpack and shoes are best for you, and of course how to get to SJPDP (), but that’s all.
Wonderful story, @RobertS26 ."I don't want to admit that being a perfectionist about my Camino was a complete and total waste of time."
I prepared for 2 years before walking.
Confidence does come with practice. And the planning gets much easier. My personal speed record was looking out of a window at grey Welsh rain on a Sunday afternoon, deciding there and then to walk the VdlP and having my boots on the path by Thursday. With all travel to the airport, flight to Spain, train from Malaga to Sevilla, a bed for the first night and travel insurance all booked within an hour. You really do not need to spend years pondering every last detail. But it might take first-hand experience to convince yourself of that.I am a lot less uptight about things like finding a bed than I was n that first Camino,
Well, actually, I forgot to say that I also had to save up the money for 2 years, too. It cost more to travel to the Camino from here than it actually did to walk in 2016...Confidence does come with practice. And the planning gets much easier. My personal speed record was looking out of a window at grey Welsh rain on a Sunday afternoon, deciding there and then to walk the VdlP and having my boots on the path by Thursday. With all travel to the airport, flight to Spain, train from Malaga to Sevilla, a bed for the first night and travel insurance all booked within an hour. You really do not need to spend years pondering every last detail. But it might take first-hand experience to convince yourself of that.
This is what many of us "old Camino farts" have been advising for years and it was the best advice I was given before my first Camino in 2010.My advice to others planning their first camino – spend time planning which backpack and shoes are best for you, and of course how to get to SJPDP (), but that’s all. Let everything be a surprise, and most importantly don't bring any expectations. Don’t expect the good, the bad or the ugly. Let everything be a surprise, and then deal with those surprises authentically.
Thanks for your advice, JustJack! My very first Camino is mid-April 2024. I’ll just wait very patiently until then and expect the unexpected. I must say that I’m also quite excited about it.I first heard about the camino about 3 years ago, just as the pandemic hit. As I’ve posted here previously, I spent an inordinate number of hours over the past three years watching youtube videos and reading blogs and books about the camino. I obsessed over all of the minutia – partly because I have a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder, and partly because I love planning trips.
So despite many comments from others warning me of the dangers of having my expectations set by watching the experiences of other pilgrims, I continued to do so, on an almost daily basis.
Now that I’ve walked the CF and returned home about a week ago, do I regret the excessive planning and research that I did?
No, and yes.
Watching youtube videos and reading blogs helped carry me though a difficult time during the pandemic. Walking a camino became the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It was what I’d think about as I got ready for work in the morning, and when I went to sleep at night. So in that respect I don’t regret all the time I spent vicariously walking caminos with others, because those were happy hours. And planning became my hobby, as did going for long training hikes, so that was positive.
That said, if I’m honest with myself I’d have to admit that, despite my efforts to avoid doing so, expectations were inevitably set before I left home. I read too many comments – on this site and others – about the various ups and downs pilgrims encounter, and in particular about the emotional aspects of walking a camino. And although I did my best to block those thoughts out, they were there in the background, causing me to sometimes question my own journey, and how I was dealing with things, and whether or not I was “failing” at my camino…
One example of this was at the Cruz de Ferro. Because so much has been published about this iconic stop along the CF I ended up consuming way too much information before leaving home. As a result, when the day came that I found myself at the foot of Cruz de Ferro I ended up spending about half an hour there watching the pilgrims, and then leaving with my stone still in my pocket. Not sure why, but the whole experience just felt too prescriptive, like there was a specific set of things I was supposed to do there, and a specific way I should be feeling, and it didn’t feel authentic to me at that moment. I ended up placing my rock many days later at a time and place that felt appropriate to me.
So did I learn any lessons about over-preparing to walk a camino? I hope so. And when I walk the next one I’m going to make a concerted effort to not research it to death before I leave. That’s going to be difficult, because as I said I love the planning and anticipation.
My advice to others planning their first camino – spend time planning which backpack and shoes are best for you, and of course how to get to SJPDP (), but that’s all. Let everything be a surprise, and most importantly don't bring any expectations. Don’t expect the good, the bad or the ugly. Let everything be a surprise, and then deal with those surprises authentically.
I'd say the same about the Norte. Everything you need is there. Just be flexible and accepting.Agreed. I should have been clear that I'm speaking of the CF, where a lot of planning simply isn't needed. Just show up, follow the arrows, and stop to eat when hungry. It's literally that easy.
Living in the UK has advantages occasionally!Well, actually, I forgot to say that I also had to save up the money for 2 years, too. It cost more to travel to the Camino from here than it actually did to walk in 2016...
I haven't yet watched any youtube videos now that I've returned from my camino. It will be interesting to watch some now that I've actually been to those places.I do like YouTube camino videos, but as entertainment, not research. And, recognizing a place I've seen online is, to me, a little like meeting a celebrity: "Hey! I know you!"
I agree that @JustJack should not beat himself up about the expectations he had. That is almost creating a new expectation of not having such expectations. I don't agree that they were created by other people. We each create our own expectations, and we each decide which people to trust and how to interpret their experiences.Don´t beat yourself up about the expectations: they were created by other people and the only mistake you made was to trust other people.
I do remember those threads. Is there anything else that we could have said that would have helped?So despite many comments from others warning me of the dangers of having my expectations set
One of the main problems of a forum like this with a very diverse membership. Which viewpoints or recommendations do you choose to believe and act upon? After being on the forum for a few years I have some idea of which old-timers think in similar ways to myself and have a similar approach. For many questions the range of replies is extremely wide and often so contradictory as to be of little practical use!I don't agree that they were created by other people. We each create our own expectations, and we each decide which people to trust and how to interpret their experiences.
Nope, the reality is there probably isn't anything that would have kept me away from watching the endless camino videos on youtube. It was simply what I did for those three years. I'm still not sure if I fully regret it or not, because I thoroughly enjoyed those many hours. But it's not something I will repeat in the future.I do remember those threads. Is there anything else that we could have said that would have helped?
I am very glad in retrospect that I did not watch any videos of the Camino before my first walk. I do not want to do my travelling in advance virtually through another person's camera lens. There is a great joy in serendipity.Nope, the reality is there probably isn't anything that would have kept me away from watching the endless camino videos on youtube.
Yes...and no. Yes to making sure you have the right shoes, the right socks, the right backpack, the least weight necessary. Practice packing and unpacking, walking with a full pack in various weather conditions. GET PACKING LISTS and choose what's right for you. Know that there are pharmacies everywhere packed to the ceiling with pilgrim needs. So much you do not need to bring with you. None of this requires long hours studying videos of various paths and sites along the way. It's meeting the most important expectation: making it to your destination.I first heard about the camino about 3 years ago, just as the pandemic hit. As I’ve posted here previously, I spent an inordinate number of hours over the past three years watching youtube videos and reading blogs and books about the camino. I obsessed over all of the minutia – partly because I have a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder, and partly because I love planning trips.
So despite many comments from others warning me of the dangers of having my expectations set by watching the experiences of other pilgrims, I continued to do so, on an almost daily basis.
Now that I’ve walked the CF and returned home about a week ago, do I regret the excessive planning and research that I did?
No, and yes.
Watching youtube videos and reading blogs helped carry me though a difficult time during the pandemic. Walking a camino became the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It was what I’d think about as I got ready for work in the morning, and when I went to sleep at night. So in that respect I don’t regret all the time I spent vicariously walking caminos with others, because those were happy hours. And planning became my hobby, as did going for long training hikes, so that was positive.
That said, if I’m honest with myself I’d have to admit that, despite my efforts to avoid doing so, expectations were inevitably set before I left home. I read too many comments – on this site and others – about the various ups and downs pilgrims encounter, and in particular about the emotional aspects of walking a camino. And although I did my best to block those thoughts out, they were there in the background, causing me to sometimes question my own journey, and how I was dealing with things, and whether or not I was “failing” at my camino…
One example of this was at the Cruz de Ferro. Because so much has been published about this iconic stop along the CF I ended up consuming way too much information before leaving home. As a result, when the day came that I found myself at the foot of Cruz de Ferro I ended up spending about half an hour there watching the pilgrims, and then leaving with my stone still in my pocket. Not sure why, but the whole experience just felt too prescriptive, like there was a specific set of things I was supposed to do there, and a specific way I should be feeling, and it didn’t feel authentic to me at that moment. I ended up placing my rock many days later at a time and place that felt appropriate to me.
So did I learn any lessons about over-preparing to walk a camino? I hope so. And when I walk the next one I’m going to make a concerted effort to not research it to death before I leave. That’s going to be difficult, because as I said I love the planning and anticipation.
My advice to others planning their first camino – spend time planning which backpack and shoes are best for you, and of course how to get to SJPDP (), but that’s all. Let everything be a surprise, and most importantly don't bring any expectations. Don’t expect the good, the bad or the ugly. Let everything be a surprise, and then deal with those surprises authentically.
I had to smile reading this. Why? A number of friends and acquaintances commented to me that the worst place in terms of dashed expectations was Machu Picchu in Peru. The videos always leave you breathless. But that's because they are overhead shots. One close friend said it was a miserable up and down and then up again on stairs only to arrive at a bunch of ruins. He said that if he had to do it over again, he would be content to watch the video, or if he had money to burn, higher a helicopter and circle the place a few times.A lot of “Camino content” is also heavily edited - look at (or better avoid) all the social media images of quaint villages, endless vistas and happy smiles all around.
Landscapes frequently are colour enhanced or “distracting” features like electricity poles are digitally removed. Pretty pictures generate more clicks than accurate depictions of reality - including roadside rubbish, sweaty and tired pilgrims and the stark amount of “real life” you’ll encounter.
All these perfectly curated images / storylines can set you up for failure. Think of the Heavens Gates on Bali - if you look at Instagram you’ll see the perfect reflection of the gate in the water pool underneath it. Guess what, that’s a phone screen or a mirror, there’s no water there but the illusion makes for a much much nicer picture - and scores of disappointed visitors who had their expectations shattered on arrival.
Exactly this! Cleverly shot drone videos, enhanced images and the bias to report the extraordinary over the mundane can set very high expectations that fall flat once you arrive in reality. While reality is still pretty it obviously has no chance of holding up to digital enhancements.I had to smile reading this. Why? A number of friends and acquaintances commented to me that the worst place in terms of dashed expectations was Machu Picchu in Peru. The videos always leave you breathless. But that's because they are overhead shots. One close friend said it was a miserable up and down and then up again on stairs only to arrive at a bunch of ruins. He said that if he had to do it over again, he would be content to watch the video, or if he had money to burn, higher a helicopter and circle the place a few times.
He contrasted this to his trips to Patagonia. Despite the gorgeous scenery in videos, he said he still found every day jaw dropping with beauty and grandeur.
Life would be so much better with all the "influencers".A lot of “Camino content” is also heavily edited - look at (or better avoid) all the social media images of quaint villages, endless vistas and happy smiles all around.
Landscapes frequently are colour enhanced or “distracting” features like electricity poles are digitally removed. Pretty pictures generate more clicks than accurate depictions of reality - including roadside rubbish, sweaty and tired pilgrims and the stark amount of “real life” you’ll encounter.
All these perfectly curated images / storylines can set you up for failure. Think of the Heavens Gates on Bali - if you look at Instagram you’ll see the perfect reflection of the gate in the water pool underneath it. Guess what, that’s a phone screen or a mirror, there’s no water there but the illusion makes for a much much nicer picture - and scores of disappointed visitors who had their expectations shattered on arrival.
I'm quite envious. My next trip is likely to cost me around $3000 in flights alone.Living in the UK has advantages occasionally!As does walking outside the main holiday seasons. Travel from my home to Seville plus insurance left me with change from £100.
I think that it helps give the full range of options and ideas so that someone new can decide for themselves what approach appeals best and those who have walked a couple of times can try another way if they didn’t feel comfortable with their past experience.One of the main problems of a forum like this with a very diverse membership. Which viewpoints or recommendations do you choose to believe and act upon? After being on the forum for a few years I have some idea of which old-timers think in similar ways to myself and have a similar approach. For many questions the range of replies is extremely wide and often so contradictory as to be of little practical use!
Le Puy is very different from Frances. If you did no research and expect it to be like Spain then you will be caught short.Yes...and no. Yes to making sure you have the right shoes, the right socks, the right backpack, the least weight necessary. Practice packing and unpacking, walking with a full pack in various weather conditions. GET PACKING LISTS and choose what's right for you. Know that there are pharmacies everywhere packed to the ceiling with pilgrim needs. So much you do not need to bring with you. None of this requires long hours studying videos of various paths and sites along the way. It's meeting the most important expectation: making it to your destination.
Rather than spending hours studying places in advance, our experience on caminos and in fact all our world travels is that it's better to drink in the beauty of a particular site, take photos, make a note in your journal. Then study it when you get back. This not only keeps the camino going after you get back but motivates you to come back. We simply had to go back to various places, like Estella, Burgos and Sahagun. We had realistic expectations the second time and those were met.
Our next camino is in September in Le Puy. The only expectation that may not be met is the cuisine. We have very high expectations for that!
I'm going to wrap these two threads together, I was worried I was planning too much for my upcoming CF. But I've never heard of 'Cruz de Ferro'.Simple solution, let´s start a new one: ´Cruz de Ferro, what happens to all those stones?´ I´ll check first to make sure we haven´t already got one.
I will admit I like to plan and research. If I did no planning and research, there is no way I would have made the detour yesterday to see the wonderful mysterious Santalla de Bóveda. I wouldn't have known it was an option or why I should consider going 2.4 km off route. If I did no research, I wouldn't have made my way to the albergue in Bendueños, probably the nicest of this Camino. You can miss a lot of great things if you just go and let everything be a surprise because you just don't know they are there to experience.I first heard about the camino about 3 years ago, just as the pandemic hit. As I’ve posted here previously, I spent an inordinate number of hours over the past three years watching youtube videos and reading blogs and books about the camino. I obsessed over all of the minutia – partly because I have a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder, and partly because I love planning trips.
So despite many comments from others warning me of the dangers of having my expectations set by watching the experiences of other pilgrims, I continued to do so, on an almost daily basis.
Now that I’ve walked the CF and returned home about a week ago, do I regret the excessive planning and research that I did?
No, and yes.
Watching youtube videos and reading blogs helped carry me though a difficult time during the pandemic. Walking a camino became the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It was what I’d think about as I got ready for work in the morning, and when I went to sleep at night. So in that respect I don’t regret all the time I spent vicariously walking caminos with others, because those were happy hours. And planning became my hobby, as did going for long training hikes, so that was positive.
That said, if I’m honest with myself I’d have to admit that, despite my efforts to avoid doing so, expectations were inevitably set before I left home. I read too many comments – on this site and others – about the various ups and downs pilgrims encounter, and in particular about the emotional aspects of walking a camino. And although I did my best to block those thoughts out, they were there in the background, causing me to sometimes question my own journey, and how I was dealing with things, and whether or not I was “failing” at my camino…
One example of this was at the Cruz de Ferro. Because so much has been published about this iconic stop along the CF I ended up consuming way too much information before leaving home. As a result, when the day came that I found myself at the foot of Cruz de Ferro I ended up spending about half an hour there watching the pilgrims, and then leaving with my stone still in my pocket. Not sure why, but the whole experience just felt too prescriptive, like there was a specific set of things I was supposed to do there, and a specific way I should be feeling, and it didn’t feel authentic to me at that moment. I ended up placing my rock many days later at a time and place that felt appropriate to me.
So did I learn any lessons about over-preparing to walk a camino? I hope so. And when I walk the next one I’m going to make a concerted effort to not research it to death before I leave. That’s going to be difficult, because as I said I love the planning and anticipation.
My advice to others planning their first camino – spend time planning which backpack and shoes are best for you, and of course how to get to SJPDP (), but that’s all. Let everything be a surprise, and most importantly don't bring any expectations. Don’t expect the good, the bad or the ugly. Let everything be a surprise, and then deal with those surprises authentically.
I love this @JustJack! And I love that you referenced it in relation to the Cruz de Ferro. I was actually "given" this message on my trek up to the cruz. I was walking with the question of how to live with my heart open. Out of the blue I heard: Let go of expectation, attachment and fear. Whoa! A tall order to be sure! And I carry it with me every day.most importantly don't bring any expectations.
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