Letting Go...

[GuyA]

Hi,

I'm in the process of letting go of preconceived ideas, natural tendency of planning everything out and moving to a more open minded view of my Camino. I am posting this for two reasons:

To thank fellow Forum members especially those who have completed their Camino and willingly share ideas with us newbies, and

To convince myself that letting go is the right thing to do.

By posting this I am not expecting any specific replies as my thinking to date will clearly be seen as ridiculous i.e. "What was that guy thinking?"

On August 1, 2013 I am starting my extended Camino. After 35 years in the Business world retirement beckons and I caught the Camino bug some time ago. My Camino will start on the Swiss/German border and should end in Finisterre. Somehow completing it in 100 days or an average of 24 kms a day seems about right.

My flights are booked first to Zurich at the end of July and returning mid November from Barcelona. My employer has been advised of my retirement...my family has accepted that I'm serious about this crazy idea!

My planning has been unorthodox. I started with the idea that I simply wanted to go off on a long walk. I didn't want to worry about carrying my stuff, wanted someone to take care of my accommodations and wanted single rooms all the way. So after considerable research I found 3 separate companies, received their quotes and I was set.

Something wasn't right as I read about other pilgrims experiences therefore I decided to carry my onw backpack (what a big decision!). I had the 3 companies requote without the baggage service.

Kept thinking about this and concluded that I could book my own accommodations and after many many hours of research (had fun doing this!) I started booking various places. After a short while I had booked my Via Jacobi, Via Gebennensis and portions of The Puy route route. This is where the Forum and a few key Gite owners finally made me realize that I was planning the impossible. Where was the flexibility, what if I wanted to stay somewhere for a few days, met a few fellow pilgrims or even need some time to rest an injury?

I then canceled all reservations on the Via Gebennensis and The Puy routes...for me that was difficult to do.

However I was still maintaining for the most part my single accommodation requirement...until I started reading the Albergues you should not miss forum posting. Why would I want to miss this aspect of the Camino? My thinking changed again.

I now look forward to so many types of accommodations ranging from sleep in hay farms, hostels, small hotels, gites, accueil jacquaire, albergues, casa rurale etc. Hopefully not a park bench however you never know!

So here I am...I still have a plan (see attached spreadsheet...comments/suggestions welcome!)...still have some reservations in Switzerland to start my Camino however I now know that this plan will likely go out the window quickly. That will be a good thing as I finally let go and just enjoy a long walk with no need to get somewhere each day!

Why has it taken so long to get to this point...simply carrying on with past ways and good dose of good old fashion stubbornness is likely why in my situation. Now on to learning a bit of Spanish...

Guy

 

[Freetime]

I haven't looked at your attachment yet but it looks like you already started your Camino. Making plans and throwing them out the window once you start is part and parcel to what you will do a lot of nights on the Way. This pre-camino experience will set you up for success. Walking will be the easy part.

Tony

 

[FrancesK]

I had my hike all planned out as well (although i didnt go to the extent of booking accomodation other than the first few nights). I enjoyed all the planning, it was exciting and fun to learn about the places I was going to. I had every intention of sticking to my plan until I met my fellow pilgrims on the very first night in Saint Jean and I promptly threw the plan out the window.

Letting go is the best feeling ever

 

[myschf]

Buen Camion Guy! Keep a lil' bit of that "old fashion stubbornness" it will keep you putting one foot in front of the other With an open heart and mind ...all the rest will fall into place in Camino fashion.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I think you are going to have a wonderful time. Some days you´re going to question your sanity, but that will pass soon as you find a warm place and a nice glass of vino.
Which you will.

Reb

 

[tyrrek]

Something wasn't right as I read about other pilgrims experiences therefore I decided to carry my onw backpack (what a big decision!). I had the 3 companies requote without the baggage service.Guy

When your backpack becomes your friend you'll be a happy peregrino. And it will be your friend after a couple of days if you've chosen it well. Work on the Spanish. It's amazing what a difference it makes. People respect you when they see that you respect them. Buen Camino!

 

[michaelwalker]

Dear Guy

you sound amazing. Your openness and embrace of life is already showing. If you carry this attitude with you, your Camino is going to be one of the best times.

Planning the Camino is fun but being on it and living day to day is like being 14 years old again, every corner is a turn to discovery, every person a potential friend, every field and valley something new to walk through and wonder at.

If your heart is open you can be transformed and healed.

Gods Speed brother

Michael