Bella.H.24
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances March/April 2013
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A pilgrimage is a personal journey, so you get to decide the parameters. I started my first pilgrimage in Pamplona, and it was sufficiently challenging to qualify for anyone's definition of a pilgrimage!jpflavin1 said:In my opinion, there is no official starting point on the Camino.
Hi! Even within 100kms is fine unless you really want to qualify for a Compostela. Routes such as the Camino Ingles from A Coruna.julie said:Anywhere further than 100km from Santiago is a possible starting point. It's a personal decision so start from wherever it feels right for you.
sillydoll said:...
A possible reason why the Camino routes now start in French towns is because they originally belonged to Spain and pilgrims would have been comfortable starting there. ...
... If 'the path is made by walking' then wherever pilgrims start walking from, is where the 'authentic' path is!
Given that opinions are never right or wrong, it is my opinion that there are other sections that are more beautiful, particularly if you walk up the Pyrenees in the fog, or forget to turn around and look behind you!May I add to the topic,if you do not do the Pyrenees from St Jean, you miss most probably the most beautiful section on the Camino.
An interesting concept. A hierarchy. Like Olympic medals. Why just "where you started?" Jenny Anderson did the Camino in 9 days, 5 hours, and 29 minutes. Perhaps speed should be the source of our personal pride. And age, maybe. When a ninety year old does it, perhaps those younger should feel less satisfaction. Or disability. Twenty-two got Compostelas using a wheelchair last year. I walked with a one-legged pilgrim in his fifties. Do we all feel less because of that?But there is a bit of an unwritten hierarchy in the minds of most (not all) pilgrims based on where you started. We started in SJPP and I hate to admit it but I think we felt a bit superior to those who started further on. I tried not to but it's only human nature.
tyrrek said:Yep, we do sometimes seem to judge, and there is no need or reason to apart from to make ourselves feel better.
I have assisted with Reb's litter pick the last couple of years and I wear my pilgrim's scallop shell on my backpack from leaving home to returning home, even though I have no intention of getting to Santiago - only to the bins by the chapel outside Sahagun to dump the last of the trash!I still consider myself a pilgrim on these trips, and would be identified as such by the people I pass and meet. I still go to a church service at the end, as I would on a 'real' Camino. That's just me though, and I'm odd.
Buen Camino!
Absolutely agree. I've come across many who walk only a few kms day after day, arrive by transport to next refugio, take beds, and have no problem leaving another without who has walked all day.Rebekah Scott said:The only "cheaters" are the people who travel by motor vehicle and then expect a clean, fresh, lower-bunk bed in a "free" albergue.
Not at all!Bella.H.24 said:Will it be 'cheating' for me to begin my Camino in Pamplona? Thus giving myself a bit of a headstart...?
reuben79 said:But there is a bit of an unwritten hierarchy in the minds of most (not all) pilgrims based on where you started. We started in SJPP and I hate to admit it but I think we felt a bit superior to those who started further on.
newfydog said:--- but later we went from Prague to LePuy, giving us a 3,200 km rank. That must count for something...
It is hard to find a Spaniard (who doesn´t live on the camino) who doesn´t start the Frances at Roncesvalles. They´ll tell you THAT is where the Camino begins! Go figure
Rebekah Scott said:It is hard to find a Spaniard (who doesn´t live on the camino) who doesn´t start the Frances at Roncesvalles. They´ll tell you THAT is where the Camino begins! Go figure.
Yes , I was to fall into this trap myself , 10 years on I feel okay about taking a 5km stroll if I want , indeed , I rarely walk 20km per day. 8)whariwharangi said:A walk on the camino typically means getting up, walking about 20 -25km, and finishing the day at another albergue.
falcon269 said:Don't you have to start in Le-Puy-en-Velay to do the "whole thing"? The Bishop there started the ball rolling...
Kitsambler said:falcon269 said:Don't you have to start in Le-Puy-en-Velay to do the "whole thing"? The Bishop there started the ball rolling...
Actually Le Puy is not far enough east. Try Warsaw or Bratislava.
Camillis said:As for myself I found walking into Ronchevalles dead tired and full of relief was one of the many highlights on the Camino.
I was very happy to find this post, as it was the very question I'd been asking myself!
So, if I plan to start at Pamplona, how many days should I allow myself to reach Santiago? (I'm in reasonable shape, but I'll be 50, and I don't want to have to rush-rush-rush the whole time. Any advice?
Its funny you say that, as I am currently living and working as an Au Pair in the Catalonian region of Spain and when I first started talking about undertaking the Camino upon finishing my work here, my hostdad told me all about it, and he said that the start was in Roncesvalles. It wasn't until I started my research that I learnt that the popular starting point was over the border in St. Jean!
I am most definitely still in two minds about my starting point. Though having being reassured that I will still qualify for a Compestela, and it won't be seen as 'cheating' I think I may start in Pamplona. As someone said further up the thread, it will be better that I miss the first couple of days, than risk having to rush the walk, or to end up having to take public transport further down the route.
I feel that giving myself a slightly lessened route, I am giving myself a bit of 'insurance' should something happen (the dreaded tendonitis etc) and I need to take a couple of rest days somewhere along the route.
Thankyou all so much for your wise input!
Buen Camino all and God Bless
Bella
I am starting my Camino on the 25th March. I have booked my train to Pamplona, arriving late Sunday evening, 24th March with a view to staying overnight in Pamplona and getting the train to Roncenvalles to start the camino on the Monday morning. However, I have booked my flights home from Santiago on the 28th April - and I am a little alarmed that I have now not given myself enough time to get from Roncenvalles to Santiago in only thirty-four days...
How flat is El Camino Frances? Is it do-able in only thirty-four days. I'm young (23) and quite fit, but for anyone, doing over 20 km per day for thirty-four days straight is quite a challenge...
Will it be 'cheating' for me to begin my Camino in Pamplona? Thus giving myself a bit of a headstart...?
I'm very excited about starting my Camino, but I reeeeally want to complete it in one go - and not end up having to catch any buses or trains along the route to ensure that I reach Santiago in time...
What do all you experienced Pilgrims think? How long did it take you guys, and how mountainous is the route?
Any advice would be much appreciated
Bella
I get really frustrated with people that call starting somewhere other than St. John "cheating." Who are you cheating?! Is there a test at the end that I don't know about?.........
Those are my plans for late March!On my first Camino I started from Pamplona: It was so perfect: Arriving in Barcelona at 1pm, bus leaving for Pamploma at 3.15, arrival at time to reach the municipal albergue and get my compostela, and walking out the door straight on the Way the next morning. My thoughts were to go back to Roncesvalles and SjdP, but I thought: "Why not just get on with it?!" and so I did. Never regretted it for a second!
One of my favorite activities, wherever i sit down......I was sitting at the sidewalk cafe in Roncesvalles enjoying a well-earned cerveza ...
!
So, if I plan to start at Pamplona, how many days should I allow myself to reach Santiago?. Any advice?
Well said! Other heavy burdens are the artificial constraints you place in your mind. The fewer you bring with you, the more fun you will have. I think that is the basis of everyone's wish to "walk without a plan." What they may be saying is they don't want a lot of constraints on their pilgrimage. I cannot agree more with that attitude. It really makes the walk tension-free.The heaviest burden is your own pride
Not cheating at all! We had to 'short-cut' the Mesata for similar reasons, then ended up extending each days walk till we ended up in Santiago Early! After 7 days the body adapts, your routines begin to help and the friends around you start a wave of strength! But go with your own thoughts, plans and abilities and Enjoy!!!!! Buen caminoI am starting my Camino on the 25th March. I have booked my train to Pamplona, arriving late Sunday evening, 24th March with a view to staying overnight in Pamplona and getting the train to Roncenvalles to start the camino on the Monday morning. However, I have booked my flights home from Santiago on the 28th April - and I am a little alarmed that I have now not given myself enough time to get from Roncenvalles to Santiago in only thirty-four days...
How flat is El Camino Frances? Is it do-able in only thirty-four days. I'm young (23) and quite fit, but for anyone, doing over 20 km per day for thirty-four days straight is quite a challenge...
Will it be 'cheating' for me to begin my Camino in Pamplona? Thus giving myself a bit of a headstart...?
I'm very excited about starting my Camino, but I reeeeally want to complete it in one go - and not end up having to catch any buses or trains along the route to ensure that I reach Santiago in time...
What do all you experienced Pilgrims think? How long did it take you guys, and how mountainous is the route?
Any advice would be much appreciated
Bella
Brilliant.Yes, it definitely is cheating and we will all be standing by with a clipboard to mark your performance in other aspects as well. You must start at SJPDP and walk the route Napoleon. You must never even look at a bus, much less a taxi. You must walk at least 25km every day and follow with religious fervour the sacred writings of Mr Brierley. You must carry your own pack and it must be less than 10% of your body weight. You must carry 2 litres of water. You must not snore. You must get up at 5am each morning and walk in the dark but you must not rustle plastic bags or shine a torch in the dorm. You must confess any bedbug bites and vow to irradiate yourself and belongings to kill the blighters. You must wear waterproof boots, Vaseline and two pairs of socks. You must carry two sticks. You must use Lush (Dr Bonners?) soap to wash your hair.
The path is narrow and steep and it is harder to finish than the eye of a needle but great will be your reward when you stand at the pilgrims gate to get your final mark.....from us who sit in judgment. Or something like that.
Buen Camino!
Hi, I am not sure if you are still following these threads, I see your post is many years old. but, I have just made a post with many questions about starting in Pamplona. you seem like an expert. If you can have a look and provide any advice that would be great!Officially, you are not cheating if you start anywhere more than 100 km from Santiago. Do the last 100 k's and you qualify for a Compostelle. Pamplona is a fine place to start. The logistics are simple.
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