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Going back a little further, this may be the only English-language guidebook from 1990.Only guidebooks were Alison Raju and John Brierly
I used Don Elias's red guide too in 1990. And a typescript supplement in English from the CSJ. I gave away my 1990 copy but they kindly sent me a free copy of the 1991 guide after I wrote a letter with a few observations for the update once I got back to the UK.That wasn't out yet for my first Camino in 1989, though. We had to rely on the long red one in Spanish by Don Elias and his team.
Healthy age 62; 31 days SjPdP to SdC (skipped some kilometres from injuries of walking partner)
That wasn't out yet for my first Camino in 1989, though. We had to rely on the long red one in Spanish by Don Elias and his team.
I love it when the pilgrims like yourself who "were trailblazers of the modern camino" (or however you want to phrase it) share your memories and experiences from years back. The changes that have occured. I walked my first camino 11 years ago and didn't have any phone and then my second from Le Puy to Santiago with a flip phone that was only used by Gite owners to make a reservation for me. Did have the Brierley guide the first camino but the second was a almost completely useless Michelin guide. But compared to you early pilgrims I had all the modern conveniences. Hope you all share more of your early camino experiences with us in the future. ThanksI used Don Elias's red guide too in 1990. And a typescript supplement in English from the CSJ. I gave away my 1990 copy but they kindly sent me a free copy of the 1991 guide after I wrote a letter with a few observations for the update once I got back to the UK.
I was living in Madrid when I went on my first Camino. Like I did before going anywhere in Spain, I headed over to the Tourist Office to see what information they had for people following the Camino de Santiago. I weas handed these two pamphlets:I love it when the pilgrims like yourself who "were trailblazers of the modern camino" (or however you want to phrase it) share your memories and experiences from years back. The changes that have occured. I walked my first camino 11 years ago and didn't have any phone and then my second from Le Puy to Santiago with a flip phone that was only used by Gite owners to make a reservation for me. Did have the Brierley guide the first camino but the second was a almost completely useless Michelin guide. But compared to you early pilgrims I had all the modern conveniences. Hope you all share more of your early camino experiences with us in the future. Thanks
This is wonderful!!!! It was a completely different ball of wax. Makes my concerns seem miniscule today!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.I was living in Madrid when I went on my first Camino. Like I did before going anywhere in Spain, I headed over to the Tourist Office to see what information they had for people following the Camino de Santiago. I weas handed these two pamphlets:
View attachment 146090
The one on the left (THE WAY TO SANTIAGO) is from 1977. The one on the right (The Pilgrim's Way to Santiago) was of of more recent vintage from ten years later in 1987.
Here is a sample page spread from the 1977 information:
View attachment 146091
It's a bit hard to make out, but if you look carefully you can see that they are sending you down the main roads and showing where all the gas stations are. I don't think they are expecting pilgrims to walk.
Ten years later they are a bit more ambiguous, but if you look at the wording, for example in the "From Sahagun to Villafrance del Bierzo" section shown below, you can still see that the assumption is still somewhat present.
View attachment 146092
Both of these pamphlets are focused on the route as detailed in the Codex Calixtinus (what we tend to think of as the Caminos Frances and Aragones now but which were then just two alternative beginnings to the same Camino, much as the routes from Malaga and Almeria are considered alternative beginnings to the same Camino Mozarabe). But by 1987 they were at least acknowledging that there were other routes, although they didn't share any information about them.
Thanks for this wonderful post. I was still dreaming about doing my first Camino while you enjoyed yours. I was a little older to start but can relate so much with your experience. Your point about WiFi and few mobile phones brings a smile. I was "released" by my family to wander at 64 under strict instructions to "report" home on a regular basis. Thankfully, they now know that I eventually return home and wonder when I expect to take off again!Healthy age 62; 31 days SjPdP to SdC (skipped some kilometres from injuries of walking partner)
Yes, there was a bed race even then!!
- Only guidebooks were Alison Raju and John Brierly
- Main navigation guide was SJpdP amis handout in SJpdP—great spreadsheet
- No cell phones. No wifi
- Only 12 kodak instamatic photos
- Used locutorio or 1eu kiosks in albergues for unreliable email. 8 total emails home to family.
- No pack forwarding.
- No taxis -hitchhiked, trains and buses when stuck
- No reservations; no booking.com
- No vegetarian options
- No expensive SLR seen; No drones
- Some Cold showers if late
- Bed cost 5, pilgrim dinner 6, café 1
- Albergues had well stocked kitchens—lots of communal self catering
Camino Legends and other Memorable experiences
I have gone nostalgic, since I doubt I will have another camino in my future. But I have 197 nights on the Frances and 347 total on all French and Spanish routes. And Camino was a consolation prize for a failed PCT—and one of the best things that ever happened in my early old age.
- Maribel Roncal—Cizur Menor
- Eunate was a refuge
- Jesus Jato, Villafranca, Av Fenix Quemada, snorers room, 3 tier bunks
- Marcelino Lobato—park after Logrono permanent pilgrim with photos all along the route
- Jose Maria Alonso San Juan Ortega—garlic soup
- Castrojeriz San Estaban-greeted at door and pack carried to nice mattress on floor—best greeting on the Camino
- Eduardo Merino—Boadilla As a Madrid music graduate, he practiced flute at our breakfast.
- Tomas Martinez—Manjarin Templar
- Vega de Valcarce Brazilian albergue and party house.
- Fonfria crepe extortion lady—I paid 2 eu for a offered crepe!!
- Samos a fantastic surprise—on the alternate route
- Could touch the Jesse Tree
- Could bump heads with St James to honor Maestro Mateo
- First thrill of the Singing Nun and botafumeiro.
So many changes in nearly 20 years, but I have loved it all. I hope walking can bring as much joy to all the other forum members as it has for me.
That sounds familiar! On my first Camino I made a couple of calls home from pay phones. I also picked up letters from my wife which she had posted to a few pre-arranged Correos offices to wait for my arrival. No internet. No mobile phones. A different century....Postcards that would arrive home after you did
Aah, the memories of Poste Restante...That sounds familiar! On my first Camino I made a couple of calls home from pay phones. I also picked up letters from my wife which she had posted to a few pre-arranged Correos offices to wait for my arrival. No internet. No mobile phones. A different century....
One of the biggest changes since my first Camino in 1990 has been official recognition and use of minority languages. Government then was much more centralised. Almost no Basque to be seen at the eastern end of the Camino and very little Gallego at the other end. And lots of graffiti where local people were rectifying that themselves. Plus all the alterations to signs mentioning "Castilla y León". You used to be able to place yourself on the map by noting the local graffiti!this time from the Xunta of Galicia and only in Spanish,
Very true. Although my point about "Only Spanish" was more about the lack of an English version. The national government provided English pamphlets (and perhaps French and German and other languages - I was only interested in English). The Xunta tourism department wasn't catering to foreigners the same way.One of the biggest changes since my first Camino in 1990 has been official recognition and use of minority languages. Government then was much more centralised. Almost no Basque to be seen at the eastern end of the Camino and very little Gallego at the other end. And lots of graffiti where local people were rectifying that themselves. Plus all the alterations to signs mentioning "Castilla y León". You used to be able to place yourself on the map by noting the local graffiti!The language conflicts have mostly vanished now but the "Castilla y León" business was still going strong in January.
A guidebook from the embassy, so cool. Wow, did you return directly to New York City after your camino, September 9, 2001? I can't even begin to imagine that experience. The stories you must have! Mad respect.I used this guidebook in 2001 on first camino August 4th to September 9TH, Roncesvalles to Santiago. I picked up book at Spanish Embassy in New York City. Guidebook was free to would be pilgrims.
A guidebook from the embassy, so cool. Wow, did you return directly to New York City after your camino, September 9, 2001? I can't even begin to imagine that experience. The stories you must have! Mad respect.
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