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Hi Laurie - I do not know this albergue. Can you provide a more specific location? Thanks
Oh and a special thanks for posting this information I am sure our female pilgrims will appreciate it. Cheers
Fortunately Muxia and Finisterre aren't going to drop into the ocean anytime soon, Laurie!Even if it means no Muxia or Finisterre for me this year.
So its more on the Primitevo rather than the Frances? I had to look it up - west of Lugo!!The albergue is in Baamonde itself but the incident was 2km up the N6 highway
So its more on the Primitevo rather than the Frances? I had to look it up - west of Lugo!!
Take care out there in dem dare hills. We USANs know folks pointing guns shoot em. Thank goodness you were there for her.
Ultreya.
Very sad to read this report.
Glad you and her are ok and especially not harmed.
Every year there seems, IMHO, to be an increase in such incidents on the Caminos.
This observation is based on my personal experiences talking with walkers and staff at places to stay. Also, reading on this forum and other forums.
Things such as robberies, assaults, etc were never heard of years ago.
Go read on this forum the woman who was assualted by the cyclist. For not being on the "correct side to the trail."
Couple these incidents with a increase of rude people now walking the Caminos it makes for a sad picture.
Thank God that there are still people walking who do care for others and are willing to help.
I walked from O Porto to Santiago this year. Saw lots of good but also saw a increase of rude behavior, litter being thrown down, .... shame.
It is on each of us to do our part. Do the right thing.
Robbery with a hand gun in Spain is not the norm. Hope this is not a sign of things to come.
Hola Laurie, So glad that you and the other peregrina were not physically hurt, but have to echo what Micah has written so well here regarding secondary trauma. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings now but don't let fear dictate what you do or where you go. Your intuition will not lead you astray! I have walked twice as a sola peregrina and honestly only had one moment of fear as I walked alone in the early morning darkness. As a result of that moment of discomfort, I don't walk without others around in the dark and if my intuition tells me to attach others as I walk, I do so. Wishing you much peace as you enjoy the remainder of your Way!Shalom Laurie,
Even though you were not "held up" you experienced this situation secondarily through the Peregrina's experience. You may have some vicarious trauma reactions such as difficulty being alone, problems sleeping, nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks to seeing her terrified face, fear out of the blue, etc. The best thing to do is talk about it and get support! Listening to music meditation yoga if you experience negative symptoms helps! If you have negative thoughts try to turn them to positive so you don't get stuck! It sounds like you are doing the best you can. Be gentle with yourself! Buen Camino
Micah
Wow! Scary stuff ! I'm sure this will be beneficial to our male peregrinos as well...............Hi Laurie - I do not know this albergue. Can you provide a more specific location? Thanks
Oh and a special thanks for posting this information I am sure our female pilgrims will appreciate it. Cheers
... Any great ideas for a short getaway? I am booked in San Martin pinario for the 4th and 5th and my flight is on the 6th. I have thought about changing my flight to go home a few days earlier but I think that would make me feel defeated.
Dear Laurie, please be tender with yourself. You've been traumatized almost to the same extent as the young lady. Your sense of safety has been violated. So "safe" and "okay" are entirely relative - and limited - terms. There's quite a lot that's not okay, and won't be okay for a while yet. Give yourself time, and lots of safety.I am frankly surprised at how much this has affected me.
I also agree with @Kitsambler Laurie., in that both yourself and the Spanish peregrina have been traumatised. Just because you are an experienced pilgrim doesn't mean you haven't been effected. You would be 'thinking ' all sorts of 'what ifs'. Most people in similar situations at home would get a bit of counselling.Dear Laurie, please be tender with yourself. You've been traumatized almost to the same extent as the young lady. Your sense of safety has been violated. So "safe" and "okay" are entirely relative - and limited - terms. There's quite a lot that's not okay, and won't be okay for a while yet. Give yourself time, and lots of safety.
Hugs and concern, Kits
What ever your choice, seeing SY and Faith in Santiago will be reassuring and comforting!
Forum family where ever you go!
Now hugs from SY, Faith and Annie! All the more reason to relax in Santiago!
You may ave already been there but the hot springs in Ourense are very relaxing.Just walked a short 16 today with some pals from the albergue last night. We all decided to stay in The monastery albergue in Sobrado. Totally reformed since I was here last.
I am not feeling terrified or scared, just "sin ganas." I am frankly surprised at how much this has affected me. I don't think I will walk to Muxia but will walk into Santiago and then find something to do for a few days. Any great ideas for a short getaway? I am booked in San Martin pinario for the 4th and 5th and my flight is on the 6th. I have thought about changing my flight to go home a few days earlier but I think that would make me feel defeated.
May dealing with those events lead to the strengthening of your commitment to the Camino and to your commitment to self. May you be granted the ability to stay in your moment.Now in A Roxica, though I had planned to go on to Sobrado. It would have been a very late arrival given this morning's events.
A little more detail -- once she had composed herself a bit more, we called 112. Then we flagged down the next car going by, and he took her into the Guardia Civil. As I was waiting for the 112 responders to come, a Spanish couple walked up and stayed with me. The Guardia Civil arrived and we told them the victim had been driven into the office. They told us to go on. When we got to the area where it happened, we saw her pack there untouched. So we decided to take it back to the highway and flag down a car, but the GC came back with the victim in the car.
I walked with these guys till Miraz, where they decided to stop. It was too early so I went on. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the stretch after Miraz, but there's a very lonely little part. I have to confess I was feeling a little nervous even though my brain knows I'm not going to run into this guy again. I really don't want to walk scared, but I guess this will dominate my thoughts while walking alone for the next few days, so maybe I'll just wait for my amiga who will be in Sobrado tomorrow and walk into Santiago with her. Even if it means no Muxia or Finisterre for me this year. Don't know what I'll do yet.
Thanks for the concern and support.
Oh, I just read this now. I know the albergue and I can picture (I walked in 2011) more or less where the incident took place. First of all I am glad that you both are ok. It gets me angry to read about this... The eternal question is, is it getting more common or not...this morning I left the Albergue around 7, about ten minutes after a single Spanish peregrina left. The camino goes along the national highway N-6 for about two km and then turns left into a wooded area where there is an old church. I was about 5 minutes before that turn-off when I saw the Spanish woman running towards me. She was crying hysterically. A masked man had pointed a gun at her and told her to get down on the ground. She offered him all her money but he repeated the threat. She took off her mochila and threw it on the ground and took off running. She runs marathons so she knew she could outrun her and she thought to herself-- he's not going to shoot me in the back. Luckily she was right.
The Guardia Civil is involved and she will file a denuncia. She is certainly lucky.
I can't help but think what I would have done if I had left the Albergue a few minutes before her. I'm not sure I would have been so confident he wouldn't shoot. Where I come from, guns are real and people shoot with abandon.
I'm sure there will be lots of warnings given about women walking alone around here. I am walking with three others who stopped when we were talking to the Guardia Civil. Buen camino everyone.
Sending love and hugs, almost at a loss for words at what you have experienced. Hugs and may our community love surround you in your final days walks of this camino.Thanks for all the support, it has meant a lot. I am working my way out of the funk and enjoyed my short walk into Pedrouzo. Santiago tomorrow.
Just FYI- I am sharing a room at pension pedrouzo (30€ For a room with two beds with shared bathroom) and the owner told me that based on all the calls she has made today virtually all of the 2000 beds here are full. And she told me this before noon!!!
My plan is now to walk into Santiago tomorrow and then leave on Saturday to walk to Muxia. I had hoped to walk to both Finisterre and Muxia but now don't have enough days. I am feeling better and less deflated. I am looking forward to walking on the less crowded camino to Muxia to see how it feels. Thanks again everyone.
God, really sorry this happened to you, I hope you'll be ok, it would leave anyone very shaken.. I'm a therapist and what some have said about vicarious trauma is correct, so take care won't you.. Am starting from Porto to SDC myself Sep 1st and walking alone, I hadn't thought loads about my safety in that regard before but will be extra vigilant now I think.. Enjoy Santiagothis morning I left the Albergue around 7, about ten minutes after a single Spanish peregrina left. The camino goes along the national highway N-6 for about two km and then turns left into a wooded area where there is an old church. I was about 5 minutes before that turn-off when I saw the Spanish woman running towards me. She was crying hysterically. A masked man had pointed a gun at her and told her to get down on the ground. She offered him all her money but he repeated the threat. She took off her mochila and threw it on the ground and took off running. She runs marathons so she knew she could outrun her and she thought to herself-- he's not going to shoot me in the back. Luckily she was right.
The Guardia Civil is involved and she will file a denuncia. She is certainly lucky.
I can't help but think what I would have done if I had left the Albergue a few minutes before her. I'm not sure I would have been so confident he wouldn't shoot. Where I come from, guns are real and people shoot with abandon.
I'm sure there will be lots of warnings given about women walking alone around here. I am walking with three others who stopped when we were talking to the Guardia Civil. Buen camino everyone.
Laurie, we hope you had a save arrival in Santiago, yesterday, and wish you a good walk to Finistere and Muxia. Love, Jan en Erna
Is that you Jim? My husband and I Met you through out our CF in April? (Chuck and Judy) I know who you are talking about, because we met up with her a few days later. She continued on to Finesterra!this seems to be getting more common...ok it wasnt a gun but a new zealand girl went into a Bar after 1 pm to get a cool stamp...anyways she noticed then she was been followed..a car pulled up ahead..a guy jumped out and started towards her with zip down..she panicked ..then regained some composure..took picture of car..and ran.to nearest village..she managed to speak some spanish..and the police were alerted ..they looked at her last stamp...went to the pub..and low and behold the guy was there..and was arrested...not sure the exact spot think it was after...Los Arcos..stay safe
Here's cheers to our @peregrina2000 - what a great attitude.
Firstly, I'm happy and relieved that you are all ok.
I remember this stretch of road, it was not very nice but the albergue was pretty good and the 'restaurante galicia' was fantastic.
There is a much better route out of Baamonde apparently. If you take the left at the roundabout and go under the railway line and then cross the river a dirt path leads along the river to the church.
It is signposted with arrows and shells but almost all the pilgrims miss it and take the right at the roundabout and then are forced to walk past the ugly petrol station and along the highway for a few kms (where this incident happened).
Its no longer than the highway and is apparently much nicer (i took the highway but met a pilgrim who walked this path).
Also the river is a great place for a swim on a hot day; one of my favourite memories of the walk was jumping in that river with my friend and drinking beers on its banks.
Hi, Peregrino, and welcome to the forum,
This stage from Baamonde is currently in an arrow war between the Xunta and the people who have developed facilities along the route that goes through Miraz. You can see that at two spots. One is the spot you describe, it goes to the left right at that traffic circle that is about a block away from the albergue. I think, but am not sure, that the arrows to the left also take you through Miraz, but it would be good to get confirmation on that. (Can you clarify? You say you took the right turn at the roundabout, but then met friends at the river who had taken the left turn-- I am not good with directions, so this is a bit confusing for me. What river?)
The second spot where the arrow battle is evident is at a spot along the route that most pilgrims take. That is, if you go to the right at the roundabout, then left over the old bridge and right through the little green glen where the church is and where the incident took place, a few kms further on you will see another bifurcation. To the right, it goes directly to Sobrado dos Monxes, with a note that says it's 24 km from the spot of the bifurcation. That would make the Baamonde to Sobrado stage a total of 32 km, quite doable for many people. If you go that way, however, you will not pass through Miraz and the other places along that route, so there are many people with investments at stake here.
It was explained to me that all of this is happening because of the Norte's designation as a UNESCO heritage site. The Xunta is trying to recover the historical routes but is running into opposition because of the people who have had businesses up and running for years. There is another spot where there is a split, which bypasses Arzua, I believe, but people who took that route were very unhappy because it is all asphalt and has no services.
Sorry to say that the intent was probably rape, as indicated by "get on the ground." Glad she was fast.BTW I'm not sure that this was a robbery … he might have taken her anywhere …
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