Is this your 1st Camino? If so, What are your expectations?

[Arn]

This question has been posted several times in the past. With the hiatus brought about by COVID on walking the Way and the significant number of 1st Timers that have delayed their plans, I'm sure your original expectations may have changed, or not.
Have you modified your initial expectations, or is all still in place?
Buen "here I came" Camino
Arn

 

[C clearly]

Whatever they are, we'll tell you to discard them!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Buen "here I came" Camino

As a relatively seasoned Camino walker, my mantra for the time being is "here I wait" Camino, until spring 2022...hopefully. I have already gone off piste a bit.

 

[Arn]

Whatever they are, we'll tell you to discard them!

Mere mortals hold no sway over designs of the Camino itself! Once you take that first step...all is new!

 

[CalgaryLynn]

I have and will not have any expectations until I am sitting in my seat on the plane headed for Portugal. Things are still iffy for Canadians as our government has not lifted the "non-essential travel" from Portugal so I hesitate a little because of that. I so want to go but I am still on "wait and see" how things unroll over the next month and a half.

If things work out, I will keep my expectations down to "I hope my feet don't give out"

 

[LTfit]

Whatever they are, we'll tell you to discard them!

Amen!

 

[BobMcGhee]

Originally planned CF in May, now end of the month to start 31/7/21, if all goes well. Expectations are still the same; excited, enthusiastic but still wondering about the day to day routines and settling into them as routine has seldom been a part of my life. Is it time to panic yet?
Buen Camino to all past, current and future pilgrims.

 

[S.Duffenais]

I expect that the Pyrenees wont finish me off!! Lol. My expectations are low. I just want to make it day by day. I have anxiety about not being physically and mentally fit enough to get me through. I hope and pray that I make it on the other side with peace and clarity

 

[trecile]

I expect that the Pyrenees wont finish me off!! Lol. My expectations are low. I just want to make it day by day. I have anxiety about not being physically and mentally fit enough to get me through. I hope and pray that I make it on the other side with peace and clarity

People make waaaay to much of the Pyrenees. The walk from SJPdP to Roncesvalles is really in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Yes, it's a lot of uphill walking, but mostly on paved roads and maintained paths. It's not mountaneering!

 

[heydave101]

I leave USA on 10Sept21 and return on 30Oct21 for my first Camino. I hope that I’ve given myself enough time to complete. My expectations are that it will challenge me, that I will gain insights into my life, that I will make great friends, and that it will be painful at times but memorable at all times. Buen Camino to all!

 

[S.Duffenais]

People make waaaay to much of the Pyrenees. The walk from SJPdP to Roncesvalles is really in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Yes, it's a lot of uphill walking, but mostly on paved roads and maintained paths. It's not mountaneering!

For this Canadian prairie girl it may as well be lmao

 

[Arn]

For this Canadian prairie girl it may as well be lmao

Fortunate you’re not a California valley girl. For them walking up from the beach is a mighty trek.

 

[trevorcc]

This question has been posted several times in the past. With the hiatus brought about by COVID on walking the Way and the significant number of 1st Timers that have delayed their plans, I'm sure your original expectations may have changed, or not.
Have you modified your initial expectations, or is all still in place?
Buen "here I came" Camino
Arn

The best advice I was given is, Have no expectations and you will not have any disappointment. Over my walks I have seen so many disappointed because they had seen a movie or read a book (someone else’s Camino not yours) and when they could not find the alburge or see the burner swing etc they were disappointed. Just go with the road and keep you eyes and hearts open and you will see beauty every day, even in the rain.

 

[SkyDancer]

For this Canadian prairie girl it may as well be lmao

Same for me. Toronto is so flat that the one hill we do have is called Mount Pleasant.

 

[FourSeasons]

I expect that the Pyrenees wont finish me off!! Lol. My expectations are low. I just want to make it day by day. I have anxiety about not being physically and mentally fit enough to get me through. I hope and pray that I make it on the other side with peace and clarity

I’ve seen some fly over the Pyrenees and I’ve witnessed some struggle. For me it was a shocker especially during the first stretch to Orisson, it’s very steep. However I made it (twice) and I’m sure you will too. For me it’s more about mental endurance than physical strength. Put your head in the game and your body will follow. You’ve got this. Remember the hardest part is getting there. Then it’s just walk, eat, sleep, repeat. Cherish the smiles and the tears. Buen Camino.

 

[David Tallan]

Same for me. Toronto is so flat that the one hill we do have is called Mount Pleasant.

I think there are other reasons for the "pleasant", name, as it is a nice place to spend eternity.

Toronto isn't exactly flat. The lake it's on once was much larger and the old shoreline is marked by some hills. Casa Loma is on the top of one such, marking the ancient shorelines. As well, there are some nice river valleys and ravines, which can involve some descents and climbs to get into and out of. Myself, I'm located on the top of the Scarborough Bluffs, so my daily walk has a nice descent to get to the lakeshore and a nice climb afterwards to get back to the top.

We are certainly not in mountainous terrain, but if you want hills to climb, they are there.