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There are plenty of challenges there for sure. And I see from the note under your name that you are planning to walk the Camino Frances. If you want to begin in SJPP or Roncesvalles or Pamplona - depending on how far you want to walk each day - plus travel time - I guess you are looking at 5-6 weeks away from home. That may be a big part of the logistical challenge.My partner and I have been planning our Camino for years. We haven't been able to align our responsibilities to our family, work, finances and health to make it happen. We are the primary care providers for an elderly family member, have a child and pets, own a business, ect. I'd love to hear how others were able to move from doing the Camino "someday" to actually stepping out on the trail.
That's a great plan, and give me some things to think about. There are many Camino's - perhaps it isn't necessary to make it overwhelming. Maybe that's just an excuse. ThanksI own my own business too. My wife cannot walk the Camino to due physical issues (she cannot walk long distances due to back pain). The only way for me to walk a Camino right now is to do one of the shorter ones or do a longer one in stages. I walked the Camino Inglese in 2021 and started the Camino Frances with one of my daughters this year. I plan to walk one week further on the Frances with my other daughter next year. I plan to walk the entire Frances after I retire. In between I hope to meet up with friends from my first Camino to walk together.
That's good advice. Putting things out to the universe has worked for us in the past. I had not considered that your "Camino family" would include people who help you get out the door and onto the trail. Thank you.I would suggest prioritising your needs as a couple. If the Camino is calling it it a sign you have to go. Start the plan today, share your dream with others and I’m sure you will receive the support you need to go .The Camino will provide and certainly experiences from the Camino I have walked bring a different prospective on life once you return. I acknowledge that all individuals opinions are different but wish you luck in your quest… it is life changing
Thank you very much. You made good points and have given me some things to consider.There are plenty of challenges there for sure. And I see from the note under your name that you are planning to walk the Camino Frances. If you want to begin in SJPP or Roncesvalles or Pamplona - depending on how far you want to walk each day - plus travel time - I guess you are looking at 5-6 weeks away from home. That may be a big part of the logistical challenge.
If you prefer to walk your first Camino 'in one go' for want of a better description - rather than stages over a number of years - you might consider a shorter camino than the Frances. This would mean all of your arrangements to ensure your family members, business and pets are taken care of would be for a shorter timeframe. This may make your dream more achievable, sooner rather than later?
For example, the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela typically takes people between 12-14 days. The Portuguese Way from Porto to Santiago de Compostela is similar length. There are others but, for a first time Camino, I'd recommend one of these two may be more likely to give you the Camino experience you've been reading about - including excellent infrastructure, opportunity to meet others, and to finish your camino in Santiago de Compostela. Either of these caminos plus travel time would be achievable with 3 weeks away from home.
Also, the starting points for these are relatively straightforward to travel to - so that's time efficient. For example, for the Primitivo, you could fly into Madrid and take a fast train to Oviedo. I'm biased towards the Primitivo as it is a particular favourite of mine. It very much has a Camino feel about it - without large crowds - and the starting town of Oviedo is a gem, as is the other major town it passes through - Lugo. Also if you are not already aware, the Primitivo and the Frances join in Melide about 50 kms before Santiago.
I do hope you can work out a way to walk your first Camino before too long.
Best wishes
I've read many of your comments and suggestions on this board. You've given me a lot of information and a lot to think about - thank you. I think you've just given me some great advice. Breaking the challenges down into manageable pieces instead of this overwhelming mass will be a good start.I have been fortunate to walk caminos WITH my children - would your child walk with you?
What would you need to do with your business to free up some time to be able to be away from it? Could you start putting plans in place for that now?
Is there someone else who can share in the care of parents? Someone who might enjoy tracking your progress each day as you walk? Would they all be interested in following your journey if you blogged each day or uploaded a few pictures to instagram?
Pets. there's the tricky one! Can you find someone who would like to try-a-pet for six weeks?
You have identified your obstacles. If you want to overcome them, you may need to think creatively about how to do that. Or the answer may be WAIT - it is for me right now as I support a daughter with anorexia. Her recovery is my greatest priority and while I'd love to be walking, it's a sacrifice I willingly make.
I guess you need to work out if you have a preferred time frame, and then see what you need to do to get there.
Sheer luck of life circumstances.I'd love to hear how others were able to move from doing the Camino "someday" to actually stepping out on the trail.
Thanks for those words of wisdom. (A man named Rob Perry was my God Father by the way).My wife and I spoke about it many times but always found other things to do. Then she developed Alzheimers and 5 years later passed away in 2020. I did the Camino this year and it was a wondeful, healing experience, with many memories. I urge you do it now, make the memories together now as you never know what the next day brings.
Adelina, this was our last Camino route in early April 2019. My wife and I had covered all this ground on previous Camino's, but we were walking with first time Camino 'newbie' friends who only had limited time. We stopped in different stops, we didn't want to duplicate our previous experience.The best advice I received when first contemplating a Camino is that you don't have to do it all at once! My first Camino was from Astorga to Santiago (10 days), so I was gone from husband, pet, responsibilities for 2 weeks, flying in and out of Madrid & bussing to Astorga, flying back to Madrid. Short, sweet & VERY satisfying!
I had wanted to walk the Camino for about 12 years before I did.My partner and I have been planning our Camino for years. We haven't been able to align our responsibilities to our family, work, finances and health to make it happen. We are the primary care providers for an elderly family member, have a child and pets, own a business, ect. I'd love to hear how others were able to move from doing the Camino "someday" to actually stepping out on the trail.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you!We've talked it over and it looks like we won't be able to make it this year. In the meantime I'll be reading and watching the adventures of those who do, while dreaming of a Camino of our own.
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