If I had to do it over again ...

[jobortega]

As I contiue to plan my camino (have dropped the laptop), I cherish the wisdom that comes from the "elders" who populate these pages. So, how would the veterans finish this sentence for a rookie Jacoberan walker...

If I had to do it all over again, I would ...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

take a laptop.

 

[Arn]

not plan such a tight schedule...leaving more days to enjoy the Way and rest when needed and/or required.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

... not let myself get caught up in the dramas and traumas of my fellow pilgs, and let myself just enjoy the Camino itself a bit more, all alone. (even though I know the people really ARE the camino...)

 

[JohnnieWalker]

...to meet Arn and Rebekah in Moratinos. Could the residents cope?

 

[Arn]

JW questioned:Could the residents cope?

...would we care?

Saludos my friends...the Forum and the Camino make us want to do it over again.

Arn

 

[JohnnieWalker]

...would we care?

Of course we would care....we just wouldn´t remember whether they had or not!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I wouldn't walk so far (I walked from Le Puy) so I had more time to take diversions and wait around for places to open at 10am, without worrying that the heat of summer was coming and I needed to hurry...
I would make sure I got to Eunate, and that I waited for the visitor's centre at Atapuerca to open.... and that if I arrived in Astorga on a Sunday, I would wait around until the Gaudi building opened again on a Monday/Tuesday to make sure I saw inside it. I would spend a couple of days in places like Leon, and be prepared to pay more for accommodation to make sure I could do this.
Margaret

 

[Sagalouts]

Margaret
having read your blog,you have inspired us to walk from le puy this year albeit just to Conques, but the main thing we have learned is to leave the calendar and clock behind and just be.
Ian and Rosie

 

[trundle]

I wouldn't buy a return airline ticket. The freedom of having no fixed return date would be great.

Trundle

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Margaret
having read your blog,you have inspired us to walk from le puy this year albeit just to Conques, but the main thing we have learned is to leave the calendar and clock behind and just be.
Ian and Rosie

I really loved reading your recent account of your very wet adventures on the Camino Ingles. Your appreciation for the walk inspired me, and I am honoured that I have inspired you in return. Yes, I learned a lot too about the schedule 'making itself', and I was pleased I had no looming end-date that made me rush for the finish line. (It was just the thought of "too much heat I won't be able to handle!" that made hurry along in the last weeks!)
Margaret

 

[WolverineDG]

I wouldn't take so much "stuff."

I'd stop where I felt like stopping, not where I "planned" to.

I plan to go back in September & will make sure I see Eunate.

Kelly

 

[viajero]

I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[evanlow]

Definitely walking less and enjoying seeing more each day.

And in Camino Frances one can certainly do that since albergues are lined up every few kilometres, unlike the other routes.

 

[MermaidLilli]

...on the Frances, I would take time to be a tourist, see parks, museums, historical sites, churches.
....on the Via, same as above, and also ask regarding trails that keep me from walking on the road.
Mondays seemed to be the time I would arrive at historical places, ie Merida and museums are closed. So maybe timing things so that I can be in places such as those on days that the museums are open.
Lillian

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Start further back in France, like Le Puy or Vezelay.

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo.

 

[Rose Louise]

I would hope the weather could be a little kinder. Have a better grasp of basic Spanish so that we could respond to all those lovely old women who chatted to us along the way. More time to really steep ourselves in the towns and cities along the way. Spend a week in Santiago exploring the churches, museum and plazas and once the wish list was exhausted wander about Northern Spain for a time.

As my family would say, your dreaming, Rose.

Rose Louise

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Purists, close your eyes please!
There is at least one, and possibly three, places I will take the bus!!!!!
1) I will definitely NOT walk on the dangerous stretch of highway leading into Leon, and will probably catch the bus from Mansilla de las Mulas.
2) I might decide to catch the bus for 8km and avoid the long industrial/housing stretch on the busy road into Burgos.
3) I will quite possibly catch the bus from Leon to Hospital de Orbigo, or at least San Martin.

Margaret

 

[William Marques]

If I had to do it all over again "I'd do it with You" (Roy Clark)

actually "I'd do it my way"

 

[evanlow]

Mondays seemed to be the time I would arrive at historical places, ie Merida and museums are closed. So maybe timing things so that I can be in places such as those on days that the museums are open.
Lillian

Sad to hear that Lillian. On the via, I arrived in Merida on Sunday. That's the day you should be there. The museum is free on Sunday. It closes at 2 pm so you will need either an early arrival or arrive on Saturday and stay an extra day.

 

[annakappa]

I totally agree with Margaret, I would NEVER again walk this dangerous part entering Leon. I thought to walk along the path, passing Arcahueja, until it hits the main road at the roundabout. There I would take a local bus to the main bus terminal in Leon.
As far as Burgos is concerned, we looked for the alternate route at Orbanega, missed it, then floundering in thick mud, skirted behind the new airport perimiter fence, managed to join the Castañares road but then missed the directions (if there were any) to follow the river. I have now checked it on Google Earth and think that this must be a far more pleasant way in. Who are the "Powers that be" who would paint the yellow arrows?
When I do the Camino Francés again, I would like to take all the alternative options, especially the high road (weather permitting) between Villafranca del Bierzo and Trabadelo.
Anne

 

[30daystosantiago]

I would take a few extra days to complete the journey...I would also take my blackberry.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I would travel even more slowly, stopping to see the sights...
I would try to pray for snorers instead of cursing them...
I would spend more nights outdoors, under the stars...
I would sweep more floors, clean more kitchens, share more meals...being more helpful...
I would pick up more trash...
I would spend more time walking alone...