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I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
That's exactly the response I'd wrote to the OP.Because my pack will contain "all my worldly goods", I prefer to keep it with me. Love how few worldly goods I need.
Not at all.Is carrying your own pack passé?
I can't think of any good reason to use a suitcase.Why don't you just use a suitcase?
She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
I can't think of any good reason to use a suitcase.
Ed: I'm not suggesting anyone really use a suitcase.I can't think of any good reason to use a suitcase.
...
We met two women after Sarria who were United Nations workers who had just been to Syria in an official capacity. One of the women was feeling completely hopeless about humanity (HOPELESS - angry beyond measure and, I think, enormously sad). Her UN partner must have brought her to the Camino to give her a little hope.
They had their packs transported.
I must not have done these two women justice. Their place on the Camino had nothing to do with the refugees; it had to do with the incredibly difficult jobs these women had and how one friend was trying to help the other regain some faith in humanity by bringing her to the Camino (which I am fairly sure did not do the trick).
They had just finished a visit to Syria as UN workers. The more hopeful woman must have thought she could help her partner who was feeling hopeless about ALL of us by bringing her to the Camino where people are kind . . . .
The point being, who are we to judge one for what one is carrying on one's back.
I cannot speak for her, but I think you are right: she was genuinely grieving for humanity. We met these two on our last night on the Camino. I loved that her friend and coworker was doing her best to help her try to see that there was plenty of good out there in the world.Until you experience it "grief" (and I think that's what this woman might have been suffering) can be an immeasurable burden. Emotionally and physically.
If this woman could only manage to cope with her Camino by having her backpack transported good on her for finding a way to achieve her Camino in her own way.
As to the OPs example I think the hype around the Camino (in Oz and in the US too it seems?) seems to scare some perfectly fit people into thinking it is impossible for them.
Not so many people or most carry their pack. Many things on the Camino are passe these days. Then I did my first Camino in 2008 and 2009 cell phones and reservations were unheard of, now look at it. I believe myself and a few of us who do not carry a cell and rarely reserve are passe.I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
I love the comment how true.So, if you're going to send your BACKPACK ahead, why do you have a backpack? Why don't you just use a suitcase?
Understanding that a lot of people choose to do something different from me is an equally important lesson.
I can't think of any good reason to use a suitcase.
I've just returned from my first camino from Sarria. Number one lesson for me was self compassion! On previous threads I had seen comments of people not being 'true pilgrims' unless they carried their pack. Unfortunately a few weeks before my camino I couldn't train as I got really poorly. Day one camino I carried 6kg and ended up in a lot of pain from pulling my back. I decided to get my pack transported and it took me all evening to figure out that (1) true pilgrims were unlikely to have very many possessions (2) I'm not doing this as a penance for a crime and most importantly of all (3) it's my camino, what does it matter if others judge me! The 3 euros it cost me (local business providing more income to the region) was a lot less than the money it would cost for a chiropractor when I'm home!!
Like someone said about emotionally what we are carrying being unable to be seen/assessed I had an extremely traumatic memory flashback to me on my camino. It helped me heal from it and regain a part of my life that I had no idea how to previously. This alone was a massive weight to carry and slowly to lift! It even helped me be a little assertive when a fellow pilgrim scoffed that I'd only walked from Sarria, he'd done from SJPdP. I told him how proud I was that I'd done from Sarria having never travelled alone before abroad! Even my family and friends threw me several leaving parties before my short but significant trip.
I am so blessed to have had a wonderful and life changing experience. Already planning the next!!
I'm hoping that transporting bags is possible. My doctor has ruled out a heavy backpack but sees no reason I should not be able walk the Camino with a day pack. Is it really so hard to plan ahead as to where you will stop?
The wheel was invented 5,500 years ago.
We sent a man to the moon before someone came up with the idea to put wheels on a suitcase. Let that sink in.
Are you kidding me? LOL
I'm hoping that transporting bags is possible. My doctor has ruled out a heavy backpack but sees no reason I should not be able walk the Camino with a day pack. Is it really so hard to plan ahead as to where you will stop?
I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
There is no need for a "heavy" packpack, although that is of course relative. Browse through the forum, and you'll see that it is certainly possible to transport bags and it is not so hard to plan stops ahead.I'm hoping that transporting bags is possible. My doctor has ruled out a heavy backpack but sees no reason I should not be able walk the Camino with a day pack. Is it really so hard to plan ahead as to where you will stop?
You can bring your jeep, park the jeep in the place where you start and pick it up when you are ready .Can I bring my jeep to do the Camino? Surely they had horses and donkeys, so a jeep would be a natural evolution
Encyclopedia salesman. Another thing of the pastHere's a guy with a suitcase - in Astorga, I believe. He has a staff; does that make him a peregrino?
View attachment 33949
Not realy, most of the Pilgrims will carry there own backpack .I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
Most likely this statue commemorates emmigrants. There is one that does commemorate them in Negreira.Here's a guy with a suitcase - in Astorga, I believe. He has a staff; does that make him a peregrino?
View attachment 33949
Can I bring my jeep to do the Camino?
Thank you for the correction @Kathar1na. I attempted to search for information on the statue but I was not having any luck. With the name of the work I found a good page of information in Spanish (and including a picture of the original) at http://latindecuisine.blogspot.com/2011/05/referentes-clasicos-en-el-camino-de.htmlThat's what I thought, too, but it is often described as a homage to the pilgrim. It's called "Quo vadis. El caminante", the artist is called Sendo, and it is in Astorga. It's in bronze but the previous version was made from other materials and was much larger. It was burned down.
No shame, I would guess if the early pilgrims had this service available, they would have used it (maybe they used donkeys to carry?). But after 30+ days of walking the Camino in modern times, I don't feel it's about doing it the way the old Pilgrims did, that is just silly because we are in different times and a different world. It's about just walking, enjoying the people and the experience, getting to know yourself and your limitations as well as your strengths. Compare yourself not to anything traditional, or other pilgrims, but just walk and do what you need to do as you feel you need or want to. If you can afford hotels, courier services, etc... do it without guilt or shame from others. There are no RULES and hopefully none will be inflicted. This is one of the places you can DO IT YOUR WAY!
Absolutely not. I am on the Camino Frances right now and I would say that 80% of people carry their own packs. Folks who don't usually a) can't manage it physically or b) don't want the gear restrictions that carrying your own pack requires. But by far most of us are carrying,I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
Absolutely not. I am on the Camino Frances right now and I would say that 80% of people carry their own packs. Folks who don't usually a) can't manage it physically or b) don't want the gear restrictions that carrying your own pack requires. But by far most of us are carrying,
5 of those suitcases were clothes. One was makeup, moisturizer, and hair products. The last one held a Keurig machine and pods.On one Camino I came across a woman with seven suitcases. She needed seven suitcases to be sure that she had a different outfit for everyday. She explained to me that she would "just die" if her friends saw her wearing the same thing twice in her pictures.
We all carry what we carry on the Camino. A large or small backpack or no backpack at all. Some carry scars, both physical and emotional, which preclude the carrying of much weight. Right Robo; the healing process some enter into while walking has little to do with what is on your back but what is in side of one. The shipping onwards of a backpack, suitcase or stuffed pillow case allows some people to engage in the "moving meditation" of walking the Camino. My certificate of completion attests to the fact that I walked 800 k's, nothing about what I carried.Do you think they had their packs transported? I never saw a historic Pilgrim statue or image with a backpack. So I guess they must have ?
Surely walking the Camino has very little to do with backpacks.........
That's what I thought, too, but it is often described as a homage to the pilgrim. It's called "Quo vadis. El caminante", the artist is called Sendo, and it is in Astorga.
I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
Of course it was. You life has been far different, as has mine. Your next Camino will be different from your first. The backpack is just one variable.But it was a far different camino than mine.
"The Sarria crowd". It seems you haven't been noticing the posts advising not to be judgemental.There were a lot being sent forward and most that I saw were suitcases. Very few backpacks. The suitcase people had booked all of their stops ahead and just walked with light pack or no pack. They did not spark my intolerance as they were walking pretty strong "gotta do it to catch up with my things" distances. I'm referring to those who went the distance, not the Sarria crowd.
I was talking to a very able bodied young woman who was planning to walk the Camino Frances and she commented that she was arranging to have her pack transported every day. She said that she had backpacked before but had heard that "everyone" on the Camino sends their pack ahead so that they don't have to carry it.
Huh? I've always thought of carrying all my worldly goods in my pack on my back as part of the Camino experience for me. I like having everything (however limited) with me in case I need anything. I understand the need for bag transport if one physically needs it or becomes injured. But just because it's available?
Is carrying your own pack passé?
So, if you're going to send your BACKPACK ahead, why do you have a backpack? Why don't you just use a suitcase?
Geez Barbara, "The Sarria Crowd" is a reality. It means a lot of people start in Sarria. Some haven't the time for an extensive walk. Some haven't the physical capabilities for an extensive walk. Some are well behaved tourists. Unfortunately there are others who are loud and obnoxious. Little vans are parked along the way so people can jump on and off and one of those vans almost ran over me earlier this week. Some walk 4 or 5 abreast, and glare at a person who simply wants to go past them. There was the group of eleven who set up a tripod in the path and asked that the rest of us wait until they got thru with their photos. I don't paint them all with the same brush, but it is a crowd, anyway you look at it."The Sarria crowd". It seems you haven't been noticing the posts advising not to be judgemental.
Of course not.
The often praised freedom to stop anywhere you like (if you carry your pack) is also a result of the enormous choice of available accommodation for the modern Camino peregrinos, literally every few kilometers on the popular stretches. Without these modern conveniences, we would have a lot less freedom of this kind.
And as to carrying ALL our worldly goods? It's very rare these days that peregrinos make all their possessions (house, car, etc) over to the Church before they go on a long-distance pilgrimage ....
Those of good character can give those of dubious character the benefit of doubt.That they choose to walk along a Camino route for their walking holiday is, IMHO, relevatory of a dubious character.
Always. They still might be lovely people!Those of good character can give those of dubious character the benefit of doubt.
So, tell us @Kathar1na, did Jaime get a Compostella?Time to look at their idea of pilgrimage and backpack transport in 1963 - a truly pioneering event:
Time to look at their idea of pilgrimage and backpack transport in 1963 - a truly pioneering event:
I wrote that because we have evidence that Jaime didn't walk the whole way. But, anyway, I initially missed the link to the article that you put in. Jaime got the Compostella: "Los peregrinos abrazan al Apóstol y reciben La Compostelana."So, tell us @Kathar1na, did Jaime get a Compostella?
I think anyone can and should do what they want, and I don't really careThat's exactly the response I'd wrote to the OP.
Because nothing is really indispensable but the experience of having/carrying just a few basic things all the way is always very important to me personally. Many parallels to our usual daily lives also and not so hard way to learn how much (little) we really need
Personally I don't think that any able bodied person can walk the Camino and still call themselves a "pilgrim" if they don't carry their stuff with them. They're on a walking holiday and nothing more. That they choose to walk along a Camino route for their walking holiday is, IMHO, relevatory of a dubious character.
Stop your ball gown from getting too creased?I can't think of any good reason to use a suitcase.
Well said...pilgrimage or walking holiday, the way you do it *does* make a difference( It's not a pilgrimage just because that's what you want to tweet to all your mates back home )Personally I don't think that any able bodied person can walk the Camino and still call themselves a "pilgrim" if they don't carry their stuff with them. They're on a walking holiday and nothing more. That they choose to walk along a Camino route for their walking holiday is, IMHO, relevatory of a dubious character.
I had my pack transported most days on the C.F. I made a reservation every day, whether I carried my pack or not. My plans/circumstances never changed enough to warrant cancelling a booking.I like the idea of carrying my pack as part of the challenge of the Camino, but even if I discard that idea, I can't see myself using a transport service for another reason: how do you know where to send your pack?
A particularly steep hill or a change in the weather can alter my plans during the course of a day, not to mention the possibility that there won't be a bed in the town I have in mind so I need to move along.
How do the pack-service pilgrims deal with those issues? Do they make advance reservations every day, and call a lot of taxis if things change?
I was thinking the same thing LOLCarry a Backpack or wear heavy Robes.
Hmm, now that is an argument worth having.
It's not a pilgrimage just because that's what you want to tweet to all your mates back home
Not hard at all. And just two quick phone calls in the evening to make a reservation at your upcoming accommodation and to advise the transport company. The transport companies will understand enough of your English, as will most of the proprietors/hospitaleiros. You current host will usually be glad to make the call for you if you have very limited Spanish.I'm hoping that transporting bags is possible. My doctor has ruled out a heavy backpack but sees no reason I should not be able walk the Camino with a day pack. Is it really so hard to plan ahead as to where you will stop?
Fair comment, but its not as simple as that, is it?Right on, Simon.
It is a pilgrimage because of what is in your heart, not your pack.
You are, of course, right, let's not....but it's just a shame that certain opinions - i.e. "transporting your pack is OK" seem to be acceptable, and others i.e."transporting your pack (needlessly) is not OK" seem not to be...hmmmPlease...lets not get into the whole who is a "real pilgrim" argument again, everyone walks their own Camino, not Brierley's, not mine, not anyone's on this forum, your own, and we should respect that, not try and convince people that they should do everything "my way" because its the right way.
This would imply they are walking and that they are walking a Camino when infact many are just holidaying on a route used and signed for Caminos. Setting foot on those routes does not mean one is on a Camino.Everyone walks their own Camino, not Brierley's, not mine, not anyone's on this forum, your own, and we should respect that, not try and convince people that they should do everything "my way" because its the right way.
Add to that that the very small minority that have a physical reason to opt for transport are being used as an excuse to make this practice ok.You are, of course, right, let's not....but it's just a shame that certain opinions - i.e. "transporting your pack is OK" seem to be acceptable, and others i.e."transporting your pack (needlessly) is not OK" seem not to be...hmmm
You speak to them. No intent initially, not "seeing the light" at the end, not that they wanted to see it. Not "judging", just reporting. A walking holiday. An inexpensive walking holiday. For the vast majority of those out on the trail.Who are we to say what's in a person's heart when they walk the Camino or more importantly what's in their heart when they finish it or whether they should walk it at all.
Awesome...You speak to them. No intent initially, not "seeing the light" at the end, not that they wanted to see it. Not "judging", just reporting. A walking holiday. An inexpensive walking holiday. For the vast majority of those out on the trail.
And especially when walking other routes than the Frances, but then it may be a matter of percentages: those looking for a religious/spiritual "experience" are so few and far between that on the lesser walked routes you may never encounter one.
Which doesn't mean we can't be respectful of the history, tradition and reason for these routes to exist and act accordingly, which we are seing less and less.
I am not overly concerned to get my opinion across but I do have an opinion which I thought was as valid as anyone else's, but obviously not. I always try to strike a balance between the vast majority of people on here who do not have an issue with how others walk their Camino and the few who believe that their way is the only way.For some one who doesn't want to [ get into the whole who is a "real pilgrim" argument again ], you do seem overly concerned with getting your opinion across, btw !
Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's - just not more....I am not overly concerned to get my opinion across but I do have an opinion which I thought was as valid as anyone else's, but obviously not. I always try to strike a balance between the vast majority of people on here who do not have an issue with how others walk their Camino and the few who believe that their way is the only way.
Personally I don't think that any able bodied person can walk the Camino and still call themselves a "pilgrim" if they don't carry their stuff with them. They're on a walking holiday and nothing more. That they choose to walk along a Camino route for their walking holiday is, IMHO, relevatory of a dubious character.
There were very few Mountain Equipment Co ops back then........Do you think they had their packs transported? I never saw a historic Pilgrim statue or image with a backpack. So I guess they must have ?
Surely walking the Camino has very little to do with backpacks.........
I say, bring the Jeep. Just make sure you ring the bell when passing walkers.
Now I'm really curious: Why another Camino in Spain, why not the AT? Would you not gain even more? Besides saving on airfare?
You speak wise words, Wayfarer.I am not overly concerned to get my opinion across but I do have an opinion which I thought was as valid as anyone else's, but obviously not. I always try to strike a balance between the vast majority of people on here who do not have an issue with how others walk their Camino and the few who believe that their way is the only way.
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