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Your reaction should certainly be under your control, so being a party-pooper would be a self-definition. Rebuff all the camaraderie you want, but don't expect second invitations.Is it quite possible to be more solitary on the Camino without feeling that you're being a party-pooper?
Never shower for 45 days, that will be the trick.Your reaction should certainly be under your control, so being a party-pooper would be a self-definition. Rebuff all the camaraderie you want, but don't expect second invitations.It is unlikely that anyone will pursue you against your will.
A bad smell or strong perfume might work...
Oooooooooh, that's wicked........... A mischievous friend of my grandmother's used to wear a clergyman's dog-collar when he travelled by train, as he said it guaranteed him an empty compartment.
And I might add ..... Just because one might be in forced close proximity when staying in albergues, it doesn't mean one has to socialize with others, and generally everyone is respectful of others. The only other thing I would mention to the OP is be aware that many albergues offer communal meals. If you don't feel like socializing that day, feel free to decline the offer and go have a quieter meal elsewhere. Buen CaminoWell, just avoid them whenever it pleases you. Simple as that. Although that won't be possible all the time if staying in albergues
Agree completely.And I might add ..... Just because one might be in forced close proximity when staying in albergues, it doesn't mean one has to socialize with others, and generally everyone is respectful of others. The only other thing I would mention to the OP is be aware that many albergues offer communal meals. If you don't feel like socializing that day, feel free to decline the offer and go have a quieter meal elsewhere. Buen Camino
Perhaps it depends on one's interpretation of 'socializing.' To me, there is quiet socializing, and the more boisterous, oftentimes alcohol-swilling socializing. I am content with the former, not always with the latter. I think the OP was quite clear that he was somewhere in the middle.I guess what I find so amusing and ironic is when someone asks via a social networking site (net forum) on how to be unsociable, ha ha.
There was another thread on here not long ago where the poster was announcing his plans on being unsociable. That's it, tell thousands of people about how unsociable you are, ha ha.
now you talking, mate....Perhaps it depends on one's interpretation of 'socializing.' To me, there is quiet socializing, and the more boisterous, oftentimes alcohol-swilling socializing. I am content with the former, not always with the latter. I think the OP was quite clear that he was somewhere in the middle.
I suggest very visible, bulky headphones. That transmits clearly a message: don't talk to me, I am in my own world.
Lol, but everybody that passes you will talk about the guy that didn't shower for 45 days on the Camino! No judgements if this what you want to do, but on the Camino pilgrims talk. It's not in negative ways. Sometimes it's to watch out for hikers that are alone, having trouble walking, or are not feeling well. Sometimes it's about a pilgrim traveling on a horse, or a pilgrims that travels with a donkey. The news is always on the Camino.Never shower for 45 days, that will be the trick.
Lol, but everybody that passes you will talk about the guy that didn't shower for 45 days on the Camino!
... I read a lot of threads about how sociable the Camino is and how many lovely people you will meet and make friends with, and walk with and socialise with. But what about being more solitary....is this possible?? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a loner but i also do not want to feel 'forced' into socialising! Is it quite possible to be more solitary on the Camino without feeling that you're being a party-pooper?! Please note that i am planning to walk the CdN in June so maybe this will be easier in this sense than the CF?
Ok, not really! But there is a serious question here...
I read a lot of threads about how sociable the Camino is and how many lovely people you will meet and make friends with, and walk with and socialise with. But what about being more solitary....is this possible??
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a loner but i also do not want to feel 'forced' into socialising!
Is it quite possible to be more solitary on the Camino without feeling that you're being a party-pooper?!
Please note that i am planning to walk the CdN in June so maybe this will be easier in this sense than the CF?
You might want to re read the thread to better understand it and the views/worries being expressedI guess what I find so amusing and ironic is when someone asks via a social networking site (net forum) on how to be unsociable, ha ha.
There was another thread on here not long ago where the poster was announcing his plans on being unsociable. That's it, tell thousands of people about how unsociable you are, ha ha.
I think that is why, sometimes....members feel confident enough to post something that might seem a bit 'left field' or downright 'silly'. It's probably because they feel they are amongst friends, who will not ridicule them.
I couldn't agree more, you're so right. But I think some things are said 'tongue in cheek', with a lot of humour, not to be taken too seriously.
Preferrably on FBI guess what I find so amusing and ironic is when someone asks via a social networking site (net forum) on how to be unsociable, ha ha.
There was another thread on here not long ago where the poster was announcing his plans on being unsociable. That's it, tell thousands of people about how unsociable you are, ha ha.
Suggestion - DON'T share a bottle of wine and by all means DON'T share twoSuggestion – share a bottle of wine or two
don't wash your self and your cloths for a week. I am sure I am not going to make acquaintance with you .A rosary is a brilliant idea. A mischievous friend of my grandmother's used to wear a clergyman's dog-collar when he travelled by train, as he said it guaranteed him an empty compartment.
The solitude of the Via de la Plata, for those who, like me, have slightly anchorite tendencies, is to be relished, especially out of season - with chat with locals in the bars in the evenings, if required. One time I didn't see a pilgrim between Fuente de Cantos and Tábara, around 460km, and another time none between Fuenterroble and Ourense (380km).
I realize that, and was just being a bit tongue in cheek on my replies.Well, i must say that i have enjoyed reading your replies!It's amazing the conclusions people will jump to based upon a fairly simple question asked on an internet forum
So, im not trying to shun humanity! I guess i am asking myself the question of why i want to walk the Camino? What do i want to get out of it?
Well, i guess that what i am looking for personally is more insight into myself and my experience is that i can learn about myself in two ways: by my interactions with other people and by spending time alone and reflecting on my experience. And i think that from this forum, i have picked up that the former is a very strong experience for other people, but i hadn't really picked up on a lot of the latter.
Anyway, that's sort of where my question was coming from....i was just trying to stimulate interesting discussion in a way.
Thanks for all your replies so far, keep 'em coming!
He who does not know, and does not know that he does not know, is a fool: Avoid him.Well, i guess that what i am looking for personally is more insight into myself and my experience is that i can learn about myself in two ways: by my interactions with other people and by spending time alone and reflecting on my experience.
...until we champion ourselves...... None of us are champions...
from my experience last year on the camino frances,I can tell you that if you want to walk alone you can and if you want to walk with someone else you can also....it's up to you...it's your way...your choices...!Ok, not really! But there is a serious question here...
I read a lot of threads about how sociable the Camino is and how many lovely people you will meet and make friends with, and walk with and socialise with. But what about being more solitary....is this possible??
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a loner but i also do not want to feel 'forced' into socialising!
Is it quite possible to be more solitary on the Camino without feeling that you're being a party-pooper?!
Please note that i am planning to walk the CdN in June so maybe this will be easier in this sense than the CF?
I am just back from walking the Rute del Ebro. In three weeks I met three other pilgrims - all walking the other way. Not one going my way. I stayed in 4 albergues. In one of them there was one other pilgrim. In the other three I was totally alone.Or the Ruta del Ebro...you will start talking to the trees..believe me...
Of course you would agree Mark...you are from New Orleansnow you talking, mate....
carry a rosary. When you want to be alone, let it hang from your hand. People will steer clear.
So many good (and funny) suggestions, and I hope the OP had a great time. FWIIW, I had similar concerns so for others of a like mind as they prepare: yes, you can find solitude if you want. I walked on most of the Caminos over 90 days; going off-peak season, taking a less travelled route, and choosing non-peak morning departure times makes it easier, but even on the CF in June I managed (the Norte and Primitivo in April --some days I only saw birds, dogs, horses, and cows).
People choose solitude over a walking party for many reasons. I'm a vet with PTSD, and was sorting out my life and remembering lost friends. I wanted to hear the birds, and walk with bunnies and butterflies, not listen to a rehash of the previous night's drunken antics or how one's GF back home doesn't understand them. See how harsh I sounded describing the "social" Camino...let's try not to do that to the social or solitude versions, ok? Everyone walks for their own reason.
I enjoyed meeting new people every night for dinner (I'm blessed with a thick skin and an aviator's ego, so I walked right up to groups of strangers). The OP sounded like he was equally comfortable with that...but to veer for a moment to something someone mentioned here: the less thick skinned solo pilgrim seeking company--and unable to find it. I might suggest that along with encouraging that lonely pilgrim to "just say hello" (an impossible task for some), we might remind those traveling in a pair or group to be on the lookout and make an effort to invite others to join them (for dinner or the next day's walk). It broke my heart to read on a different thread that someone stopped their trip due to feeling so alone.
So solitude seekers--choose the road/time less-travelled, be social when you feel like it, and be kind and cheerful when declining invitations to be more social than you like (each time you are asked...they are offering you what they prize most, human interaction). Understand that more pilgrims fall in the social group, so you may need to put in extra effort to be alone (be prepared to be pleasant while you do so).
And you glorious social butterflies, please remember solo pilgrims come in two versions. One is a solo pilgrim wishing they were part of a group, so be kind and outgoing and invite solos into the fold. If they turn out to be solos seeking solitude please don't take "no thank you" personally, it's not a rebuff of the fellowship you offer. they are just in need of quiet time for introspection, grieving, healing, or other private matters.[/QUOTE
Well said. I'm off tomorrow on what I hope is a quieter Camino Del Salvador. I will be looking to hear those birds and walk with bunnies and butterflies too!
Annie, I don't think it is as straightforward as that. Some persons may want, or may know they need, some exposure to others but, for whatever reason, may only be able to handle intermittent interaction with them, and only in very small doses. People walk the Way for many and varied reasons. Peregrinos walk with a wide range of physical conditions and, I'm sure, with an equally wide range of mental conditions. If a peregrino, seeking or needing solitude for whatever reason, opts to walk a heavily peopled route like the Francés, it may be because he needs the comfort and security of having others around (to say nothing for the infrastructure), despite his inability to easily socialize. Some emotionally fragile people may be fortunate enough to have companions to walk with - to provide a buffer between them and having to socialize - but not everyone can be so fortunate, and I think that it behooves us, kind and caring fellow-pilgrims that we are, to bear this in mind. I feel that @Smallest_Sparrow said it best, particularly in the last two paragraphs of his post.As far as I'm concerned, if you want to have solitude, take a different route, like the Aragones or the Madrid route.
Or, walk in late fall, winter.
Annie, I don't think it is as straightforward as that.
Very well written!So many good (and funny) suggestions, and I hope the OP had a great time. FWIIW, I had similar concerns so for others of a like mind as they prepare: yes, you can find solitude if you want. I walked on most of the Caminos over 90 days; going off-peak season, taking a less travelled route, and choosing non-peak morning departure times makes it easier, but even on the CF in June I managed (the Norte and Primitivo in April --some days I only saw birds, dogs, horses, and cows).
People choose solitude over a walking party for many reasons. I'm a vet with PTSD, and was sorting out my life and remembering lost friends. I wanted to hear the birds, and walk with bunnies and butterflies, not listen to a rehash of the previous night's drunken antics or how one's GF back home doesn't understand them. See how harsh I sounded describing the "social" Camino...let's try not to do that to the social or solitude versions, ok? Everyone walks for their own reason.
I enjoyed meeting new people every night for dinner (I'm blessed with a thick skin and an aviator's ego, so I walked right up to groups of strangers). The OP sounded like he was equally comfortable with that...but to veer for a moment to something someone mentioned here: the less thick skinned solo pilgrim seeking company--and unable to find it. I might suggest that along with encouraging that lonely pilgrim to "just say hello" (an impossible task for some), we might remind those traveling in a pair or group to be on the lookout and make an effort to invite others to join them (for dinner or the next day's walk). It broke my heart to read on a different thread that someone stopped their trip due to feeling so alone.
So solitude seekers--choose the road/time less-travelled, be social when you feel like it, and be kind and cheerful when declining invitations to be more social than you like (each time you are asked...they are offering you what they prize most, human interaction). Understand that more pilgrims fall in the social group, so you may need to put in extra effort to be alone (be prepared to be pleasant while you do so).
And you glorious social butterflies, please remember solo pilgrims come in two versions. One is a solo pilgrim wishing they were part of a group, so be kind and outgoing and invite solos into the fold. If they turn out to be solos seeking solitude please don't take "no thank you" personally, it's not a rebuff of the fellowship you offer. they are just in need of quiet time for introspection, grieving, healing, or other private matters.
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