Is the Camino a giant labyrinth?

[cathietherese]

Have you wondered this? I would love to know your thoughts.

http://scribesarcade.wordpress.com/2013 ... labyrinth/

Thank you. Buen Camino! CathieTherese xo

 

[evanlow]

It may as well have been a labryrinth if one were to just follow the markings or the arrows.

In my previous camino (del Norte) last year, I happened to have a local sim card with data plan on my iPhone. With that I wasn't too worried about missing the markings/arrows as Google Maps will allow me to rejoin the path (which happens a couple of times). That was when I made an interesting discovery. The roads that was waymarked has a purpose, and that is to keep the walkers safe, and as some of you might have suspected, the path is sometimes a hundred meters or less away from the main road (the mesatas might be an exception).

In any case, it may feel like a labyrinth if one is on ground zero. If one can look at the map in real time/location (ie 5000 feet up), then the picture is very different.

This may be one of the case whereby technology actually hampers the camino experience.
As for me I was fine. I did enjoy the freedom of just walking and not having to concentrate on looking for signs and markings. You win some, you loose some.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I think the labyrinth is a miniature camino.
Way back when many big churches had labyrinths laid into the floor, they were known as "the Road to Jerusalem." They were mini-pilgrim paths for people who could not make the real trip.

 

[robertt]

I took this pic in the pension in Fromista. I'm not the souvenir type, but this old plan of the Camino in Palencia, very labyrinthine, is a hoot.
http://slowcamino.files.wordpress.com/2 ... no0489.jpg

It's just a modern novelty with an antique look, but it's merry, and I nominate "merry" as the best word in the English language.

 

[cathietherese]

I agree Rebekah. Experientially the inner journey seems similar in purpose. The Paris way goes through Chartres. I visited there for the third time before beginning the Camino as it felt' appropriate and that place fascinates me too!
Your book sounds great by the way. xo

 

[cathietherese]

I took this pic in the pension in Fromista. I'm not the souvenir type, but this old plan of the Camino in Palencia, very labyrinthine, is a hoot.
http://slowcamino.files.wordpress.com/2 ... no0489.jpg

It's just a modern novelty with an antique look, but it's merry, and I nominate "merry" as the best word in the English language.

This map is gorgeous Robert! How I wish I had purchased one of the old maps from Santiago and carried it home. Still aware of 'I have to carry it" I chose to buy one online when I returned to New Zealand. However that is not as easy as I imagined. I will simply have to return to Santiago and of course I can't wait to do so.

 

[cathietherese]

#evanlow
Thank you for your reply. My husband will be interested in your techno experience He was keen to get an app before we left and I was keen on the arrows. Whatever works is right for the person doing their Camino I think. Tim is also interested in Camino del Nort sometime so I will certainly share your reply with him. Cheers!

 

[evanlow]

#cathietherese

Thanks. My blog has some info on that.

That said, one probably does not need the techno stuff especially on the Camino Frances which is the best waymark path. The Norte is different as there are many possible paths around the headlands.

Also, it is always best to walk the first camino without any high tech maps just to experience the labyrinth liked feeling.