Going Solo & Looking for a Group

[Rosa Diaz]

Hello All! I will be arriving in Madrid on August 21 & taking a bus to Leon where I will start my Camino the next morning. Anyone else out there starting in Leon on that day? I am going solo but would love to start with a group...

 

[AML]

Rosa, I believe you will find the right group without looking!
Wishing you a great journey
Buen Camino
Aidan

 

[OzAnnie]

Hello All! I will be arriving in Madrid on August 21 & taking a bus to Leon where I will start my Camino the next morning. Anyone else out there starting in Leon on that day? I am going solo but would love to start with a group...

Hi Rosa
So exciting and almost time for departure!
If you decide to spend the night in Léon in an albergue, you ll meet plenty of others either just starting there also or possibly half way.
Albergue del Monasterio de las Benedictinas is friendly and you can get a credencial there too. Chat to others and join them for dinner.
The volunteers prepare a breakfast here and this is another opportunity to ask other pilgrims if you can join them on your first steps.
You’ll have no problem joining others. Camaraderie is alive on the way.
Buen Camino
Annie

 

[André Walker]

Hi Rosa,

Like the previous replies: don't worry. There'll be plenty of people on the Camino you can join.
In Holland we have this saying: walking the Camino was like a warm bath: comforting and soothing.
And it felt like this with the people I met on the way. I walked the Camino solo and was never short of nice company when I felt like it.

I'm sure you'll be fine too.
Enjoy your Camino.

André

 

[Rosa Diaz]

Thanks for your kind response. I have heard this numerous times before but I guess since the time is getting close, I'm getting some anxiety - I suppose this is normal too.

 

[lt56ny]

Hello All! I will be arriving in Madrid on August 21 & taking a bus to Leon where I will start my Camino the next morning. Anyone else out there starting in Leon on that day? I am going solo but would love to start with a group...

My advice to you is try walking alone. Be your own group. If a you fear not having support, every pilgrim is a friend to lean on. If you fear getting lost the CF is like rush hour in Manhattan. Open yourself up to the opportunities of that the Camino will give you for self reflection, and hopefully no reflection so your mind becomes a blank slate and then the crap flows out and the good stuff has room to flow in. Rediscover yourself and remind yourself the least lonely times of your life and only happen when you are alone. Finally walking alone can afford you an opportunity to make countless friends and connections and even more importantly allow you to connect to the rhythm of your heart, mind and body. It can’t be easy to find that rhythm when you have to incorporate other rhythms with your own. I am sure many will disagree with me and that is great. We all walk our own way. My Camino has to be about me only. I can’t truly be a loving, selfish and generous person until I am totally selfish on the Camino and follow my own path, give friendship and caring to all and accept what the Camino gives me, good or bad, and be thankful to all Pilgrims and the spirit and power of The Way.

 

[AML]

Thanks for your kind response. I have heard this numerous times before but I guess since the time is getting close, I'm getting some anxiety - I suppose this is normal too.

Of course Rosa, some anxiety is normal. Once you arrive in Leon and feel the spirit of the Camino all fears will fall away!
I'm excited for you.

Good luck